KUCHING – Three Swinburne’s students were among five from Sarawak to make it into the top five positions of the Maybank GO Ahead. Challenge (MGAC) 2019 Campus Level competition recently held at UNIMAS.
Established in 2012, MGAC is an international and multi-dimensional case competition that tests students’ competencies including strategy, behaviour and general knowledge in challenges that simulate the realities of a dynamic business world. Last year, a total of 29 Campus Levels selections were held in countries where Maybank has presence namely Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, United Kingdom, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.
At the Sarawak Campus Level challenge, a total of 52 participants from Swinburne Sarawak, UNIMAS and Curtin University Malaysia took part in the event to qualify for the National Level which will be held in July at the Maybank Headquarters, Kuala Lumpur.
Representing Swinburne were biotechnology students Clarence Tay Yuen Hua and Arooj Fatima Tul Zahra, as well as computer science student Mubashir Ayub. Mubashir successfully defeated his competitors to bring home the title of Sarawak Campus Level champion. Throughout the competition, the participants had to complete six different challenges over the span of 14 gruelling hours with minimal break in between.
Commenting on the competition, Mubashir expressed that although MGAC was one of the most challenging things he has ever done in his life, the journey taught him the value of critical thinking, decision-making and adaptability under pressure.
Sarawak Campus Level champion Mubashir Ayub.
“Taking part in MGAC showed me how much of a little fish I am in the huge ocean that is this world. It has introduced me to some of the brightest people, and although it tested my mind and body like never before, I become a better person as a result of competing in this event,” said Mubashir.
He added that as a member of the Swinburne Debaters’ Club, he has been exposed to public speaking and trained extensively in the art of rhetoric, quick thinking, strategy and other communication skills. Mubashir also remarked that Swinburne plays a fundamental role in his education journey by providing the avenue for students to take part in clubs and societies, where they are able to develop important skills out of the classroom.
Qualifiers from the National Level will go on to represent Malaysia in the Global Finals and be in the running to secure a place in Maybank’s award-winning apex programme for graduates, the Global Maybank Apprentice Programme. In last year’s challenge, Swinburne’s student Kyaw Hlaing Bwar beat over 1,500 contestants from Malaysian universities to be among 14 to represent the country in the Global Finals.
The MGAC was promoted by Swinburne’s Career Development unit under the Student Engagement Department. The university provides various platforms for students to connect with businesses, industries and the community, allowing students to develop their employability skills and preparing them to be future-ready learners responsive to the global job market.
Swinburne’s Sarawak campus maintains close collaborations with industry partners to ensure the courses offered are aligned with the future needs of the industry, as well as provides students with the opportunity to undertake relevant work placements. As a result, its overall Graduate Employability Rate is 92%. Furthermore, it is currently ranked in the Top 10 list of Preferred Private Universities in Malaysia by JobStreet.com in producing quality graduates for employers to hire.
For more information about Swinburne, visit its website www.swinburne.edu.my, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).