Nurturing world-class CEOs
ZULITA MUSTAFA training and structural development of each candidate.
“It is our aim to produce talents who will lead the organisations and businesses in the country; individuals who are well-versed in communication, creativity, business acumen, ethics and leadership skills.
Participants were narrowed down from more than thousands of entries over an intense selection process.
“They have gone through four boot camps throughout their extended weekends, projects, online modules, as well as personalised coaching and engagement sessions,” said Axiata head of corporate social responsibility and group talent management Rohaiza Ahmad.
Over the last few months, the teams went through ideation, marketing validation, prototyping and execution for a sustainable business model.
During the National Challenge held recently, Axiata Foundation partnered with BOOST, the digital mobile wallet (e-wallet) to promote the cashless campaign nationwide.
Participants from Cohort 1 and 2 competed in a challenge as they underwent a field trip experience in Sabah, Sarawak, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang to get as many merchants and users to download the app.
Developed by Axiata Digital Services Sdn Bhd, BOOST has set a lofty target of being a leading player in Malaysia by aiming to acquire as many as 100,000 merchants by the end of this year.
Cohort 2 participant Marissa Ooi Sze Min, 21, learned a great deal throughout her first year, something she might not even get when attending a business school. Axiata head of corporate social responsibility and group talent management
“Axiata brought in coaches and facilitators for our benefit, and the training was as intense as it was enlightening,” said the final-year student in Economics and Finance at Taylor’s University.
She said it was not easy to make it into the programme because participants had to go through a rigorous screening process, which included writing an essay, an interview and an online assessment.
“Apart from honing leadership and soft skills, which we needed to have to meet the demands of the job market, we are also able to interact with multinational companies, build networks and interact with students studying overseas.”
Ooi said she was looking forward to the Regional Business Challenge soon and hoped all participants would benefit from the challenge.
Norhafizuddin said since he joined the programme, he had picked up new skills and practical knowledge.
“The first year was all about building the foundation, while in the second year, we learn about the ways to grow a business into large corporations, for instance.
“My advice to all graduates and young working professionals who want to push themselves to be the best is to join this programme as it is one of the best platform for them to unleash their potential,” said Norhafizuddin, who is studying for his PhD in Petroleum Engineering at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Skudai, Johor.
Cohort 1 and 2 participants will be battling it out in the Regional Business Challenge in Nepal and Thailand in November as a final task before graduating from the programme at the end of this year.
Rohaiza said participants would not be bonded to work for Axiata Group Bhd after the completion of the programme. However, they would be invited to join the Axiata Young Talent Programme Alumni Association.
They have gone through four boot camps throughout their extended weekends, projects, online modules, as well as personalised coaching and engagement sessions.