KDU University College Penang Wins The Inaugural Global Business Services Challenge

CYBERJAYA, 25 APRIL 2016 – A five-member team representing KDU University College Penang emerged the winner of the first Global Business Services (GBS) Challenge, designed to give young Malaysian talents early exposure to the dynamic professional opportunities available in Malaysia’s GBS industry. 

Organised by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Talent Corporation Malaysia (TalentCorp), the competition challenged university students to propose solutions to common issues in the GBS industry. During the three-week competition, twelve 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.

Dato’ Ng Wan Peng, Chief Operating Officer of MDEC said, “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.”

“There currently 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 Mahmood Merican, Chief Executive Officer of TalentCorp. 

The GBS Challenge also serves as a platform to foster closer working relationships between the industry and academia towards producing industry-ready graduates. Besides giving the students better insight into the GBS industry, the competition also enabled the employers to identify potential hires and grow their talent pool. 

Two teams from KDU University College Penang emerged as the champion and first runner-up at the inaugural GBS Challenge 2016. The winning team from KDU University College Penang, 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 first runner-up (also from KDU University College Penang) won RM3,000; while the second runner-up, from INTI International College Penang, won RM1,000.    

Open to all universities in Malaysia, the GBS Challenge 2016 attracted 21 applications; out of which 12 teams were shortlisted to the Grand Finale which took place on 23 April. The 12 shortlisted teams represented six universities, namely INTI International University and Colleges, KDU University College, Segi University, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.