Friday May 30, 2014
by CHRISTINA LOW
Students from 52 secondary schools in Selangor participated in the recent Permata Young Entrepreneur Programme, which saw them running small businesses.
They had to set up a private company with 25 shareholders and five directors selected among students from their school and guided by two teachers.
The type of businesses ranged from food and beverage, agriculture, travel, general services and trading of handicraft, stationery and T-shirts.
After doing business for nine months, the students would have to declare to their shareholders their profit and loss.
They were also graded by a panel of judges and the best company was awarded by Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) for their effort.
At the prize presentation held in Shah Alam, SMK Jalan Kebun’s Ilham Dagang Sdn Bhd emerged champions after they were named the best company for 2013.
The school in Section 32, Shah Alam also won the award for the best financial report and took home RM1,000 as well as a trophy.
Best Service award went to Casper Empire Sdn Bhd from SMK Dato’ Haron while Best Product went to Total Evolution Sdn Bhd from SM Agama Persekutuan Kajang.
PKNS also gave out prizes to the Best Worker to Razanah Nazihah Mohd Shafek of SMK Telok Panglima Garang’s Legasi Sukma Sdn Bhd.
Best Teacher went to SMK Bukit Gading’s Khadijah Abd Karim, who assisted Mutiara Gading Sdn Bhd, while the Best Principal was awarded to Fauziah Mohamed Ramli from SMK Abdul Jalil.
The evening’s other big winner was SM Agama Persekutuan Kajang, which won Best School and Best Performance while their company, Total Evolution Sdn Bhd’s Mohamad Zikri Afifi Mohd Azlan won the Best Manager award.
The programme, introduced in 1998, has since drawn participation from 17,150 students to learn the basics of running a business.
PKNS acting general manager Azlan Md Alifiah said the programme attracted 679 “private companies” throughout the state, comprising students in Form Two and Form Four.
“This is a great opportunity for students to learn basic business skills, which they can use when they leave school,” he said.