Students live up to challenges posed by GBS industry

Top three winners of the GBS Challenge 2016.

Students participating in the recent and inaugural Global Business Services (GBS) Challenge thrived when they were thrown real-life business challenges experienced by today’s GBS organisations.

Open to all universities in Malaysia, the 12 shortlisted teams in the GBS challenge presented their final solutions to real-life business challenges in the grand finale which took place on Apr 23.

A five-member team representing KDU University College Penang emerged the winner of the challenge, designed to give young Malaysian talents early exposure to the dynamic professional opportunities available in Malaysia’s GBS industry.

The winning team, mentored by IHS Global Malaysia.

The winning team which was mentored by IHS Global Malaysia, came up with an innovative process to enhance the on-boarding experience for IHS’ new hires, which earned them the top prize of RM5,000.

The second runner-up (also from KDU University College Penang) won RM3,000; while the third runner-up for the challenge, from INTI International College Penang, won RM1,000.

“We learnt a lot throughout the process - we learnt how to have teamwork, we had ups and downs, and sometimes we didn’t agree on certain things, but in the end we came back to a basis where we can all agree on something,” said 22-year-old representative of the winning team, Reuben Lim Soon Wen, who prior to this challenge was unaware of the scope that the GBS industry covered.

Organised by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and TalentCorp, the competition challenged university students to propose solutions to common issues faced in the GBS industry.

During the three-week competition, the 12 shortlisted teams of public and private university undergraduates had presented their solutions to real-life case studies provided by 12 participating employers including Shell, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Schlumberger and Tech Mahindra.

Nyon Kam Yew

“I can see from the teams that they have the ability to think on their feet and to address questions from the judges. That’s an acid test of how well they’re prepared and how in-depth they’ve gone in doing their work,” said Shell Business Service Centre general manager Nyon Kam Yew.

Also present at the grand finale was MDEC chief operating officer Datuk Ng Wan Peng, TalentCorp CEO Johan Mahmood Merican, and representatives from participating employers such as Shell, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Schlumberger and Tech Mahindra.

“Malaysia has consistently been ranked third in AT Kearney’s Global Services Location Index as a great location to do business.

“MDEC is committed to ensure that Malaysia remains an attractive location that offers conducive business environment as well as rich and robust talent pipeline,” said Ng

“Currently, there is a strong need for talent in Malaysia’s GBS sector fuelled by a global demand for its services. Graduates who enter this industry have the opportunity to build rewarding international careers right here in Malaysia,” said Johan.

“Right now, companies with a stronger brand have an advantage,” added Nyon about the industry awareness. “I think we should come together stronger as an industry and present ourselves as a consortium of opportunities to offer to the students.”

Malaysia has consistently been ranked third in AT Kearney’s Global Services Location Index as a great location to do global business. For more information, head to www.mscmalaysia.my/gbs or to apply for jobs in the industry, head to mystarjob.com/gbs/