By Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nor Fazliyana Mohtar, UMT-GEM

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) through the Student Affairs and Alumni Division (HEPA) and the Centre for Graduate Entrepreneurship and Employability (UMT-GEM) has recently launched the Student Entrepreneur Incubator to nurture and strengthen entrepreneurial talent among students while providing them with structured opportunities to develop sustainable business ventures.

The initiative aligns with the aspirations of the National Entrepreneurship Policy and the Higher Education Entrepreneurship Action Plan (PTK-IPT).

The Student Entrepreneur Incubator provides more than just business space for students. It is a comprehensive development platform that combines entrepreneurial training, mentoring, business coaching, industry networking, product enhancement, pitching opportunities and access to potential funding and commercialisation pathways. Through this initiative, students are encouraged to transform innovative ideas into viable business ventures while pursuing their academic studies. The incubator also functions as a one-stop centre showcasing products developed by student entrepreneurs at UMT.

UMT Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr. Mohd Izani Mohd Zain, described the incubator as an important platform for fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students. He emphasised that the initiative aligns with UMT’s broader agenda of enhancing graduate employability and strengthening entrepreneurship outcomes among students and graduates.

“Currently the incubator offers 40 products developed by students with 10 of the businesses producing the products registered with Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM),” he said.

The launch also received positive feedback from student entrepreneurs. Muhammad Haris Syahmi Hashim, a student entrepreneur involved in the Serambi Niaga residential college initiative, expressed his appreciation for the university’s efforts in providing dedicated support for student businesses.

“This incubator gives us access to mentors, networking opportunities and guidance that can help us expand our businesses. It motivates student entrepreneurs to be more confident in pursuing entrepreneurship as a serious career pathway,” he shared.

The ceremony was officiated by Hirman Awang, Director of the Student Development Division, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE). He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan Perkasa Siswa (YPS).

Speaking at the event, Encik Hirman said entrepreneurship is no longer an alternative career pathway but an essential competency for graduates in facing the increasingly competitive and dynamic job market. The incubator reflects UMT’s aspiration to produce graduates who are adaptable, innovative, and capable of creating employment opportunities for others.

The launch further reinforces UMT’s commitment to producing holistic graduates equipped with entrepreneurial competencies, leadership qualities and the resilience needed to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s socio-economic development.

Through strategic collaborations with industry partners, government agencies and entrepreneurial support organisations, the initiative is poised to create greater opportunities for students to innovate, compete, and thrive in the evolving entrepreneurial landscape.