SME-University Internship Programme

Salam a'laik..

I'm currently involved in this programme which is under the initiative of University of Malaya Entrepreneurship Centre (UMEC - formerly known as PUSMAL) with SME Corporation. We students from different areas of studies (Year 2 and above) will be in teams to 'compete' with each other and the most practical team to come out with the most practical idea to help giving more profits to the real Micro-business and Small Medium Enterprise owners will be representing University of Malaya to compete at the national level with other Malaysian universities. This programme starts on February 2013 to May 2013.

Basically, our role is as junior business consultants, where we are assigned with SMEs with 'issues' in their business performance to give ideas to be implemented by the business owners. These improvements including in various areas, including the analysis of  M-Core Model (a business performance model which include Business Capability, Business Management, Business Operation and Financial Capability). My team is handling a spice manufacturer and so far we have made 2 site visits and meetings for our 3 times presentations to the business owner, UMEC and SME Corp within this 3 months time. Individually, at least 16 hours per week need to  be contributed to this programme. Despite the commitment, SME Corp do provide allowances to students to cater the transport etc. for the project (RM200/month).

For your information, University Malaya is participating in this event for the first time this year. So, for those juniors or fellow friends of UM, if you are interested to join this programme next year, feel free to contact UMEC. Below is a little information about this programme from SME Corp's website.

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SME-University Internship Programme

The "SME-UNIVERSITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME" initiated in 2008 as an initiative to link SMEs to the universities as part of the Government efforts to enhance the synergy between the industry and university to upgrade the SMEs’ capacity and capability. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between SME Corp Malaysia and Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to roll out this Programme to all public universities throughout Malaysia.
The objective of this Programme is to :

• to assist SMEs in improving business performance and productivities through consultative approach by university students, under the supervision and guidance by their lecturers, as well as SME Corp. Malaysia’s Business Counselors ;
•  to promote entrepreneurship among students and to provide exposure on real life business environment; and
• to help the students to acquire the essential skills required both, either for working in the small firm or to start their own enterprises upon leaving full time education

Among the areas of improvements are :

• Business Operation & Management ;
• Production ;
• Management ;
• Financial Management ;
• Marketing ; and
• Application of ICT.

Who qualifies?

• Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Preferably companies with SCORE rating of two (2) Stars and below.
• Located nearby participating public universities.

Click here todownload the application form

Kindly submit the completed form to:

SME-University Internship Programme Secretariat
Ms Kala Darshini / Ms Nurul Zahirah Ayob
Tel : 03-2775 6000 ext 6198 / 6184
Fax : 03-2775 6314
Email : kaladarshini@smecorp.gov.my / zahirah@smecorp.gov.my
Address : SME Corp. Malaysia
Level 6, SME 1,
Block B, Platinum Sentral
Jalan Stesen Sentral 2
Kuala Lumpur Sentral
50470 KUALA LUMPUR