Students urged to go into layer cake business in UK after graduation

MIRI: Malaysian students in the United Kingdom are urged to take the opportunity to start businesses a er their studies, especially when the Covid-19 pandemic is over.

According to Dr Laurence John, a social entrepreneur director from Malaysia who focuses on developing entrepreneurs in the UK with Greater UK Asia, under the UK government, there are about 17,000 students in the UK.

“The government plans to extend the programme to international students to work in the country for two years a er their studies. With Covid19 affecting many countries, it is best that Malaysian students stay put in the UK and start a business.

“Layer cake is one the of potential businesses that students could venture into. The cake, baked in UK, however, has to meet UK food regulations,” he said in WhatsApp message yesterday.

John, who is married to Munica Liwan, a Kelabit from Long Seridan, has vast experience in developing entrepreneurs on sustainable business with a small investment to start.

He added that layer cake is part of the Borneo Street UK programme, which was launched in Kuala Lumpur last year.

“Bringing food from Sarawak into the UK involves much cost and requirement. However, having the food produced in UK is easier, which indirectly promotes Sarawak.

“Thus, Malaysian students based in the UK should be part of the programme. The food should be branded in the UK and later cover other Asian countries, a similar idea to franchise,” he said.

Meanwhile, Munica said there is high demand for layer cake in the UK. She has been giving free samples for Borneo Festival and church programmes. The public has responded positively, and admired the fine art work involved in making the layers, she said.

“It needs lots of patience to bake the layer cake which is almost similar to the famous Kek Lapis Sarawak.

“Baking the cake in UK gives more choices of bu er, natural flavours, natural colours, flour, etc. The colours and flavours are approved under UK regulations, so it will not be an issue,” she added.