KUCHING – A third-year robotic and mechatronics engineering student of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne Sarawak) beat over 1,500 contestants from Malaysian universities to be among 14 to represent the country in the Global Finals of Maybank Go Ahead. Challenge (MGAC) 2018.
First launched in 2012, the 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. Over 100,000 participants from 100 different countries including ASEAN countries, Africa, the UK and USA have entered the competition ever since.
Initially, it was just a matter of trying his luck for 21-year old Kyaw Hlaing Bwar from Myanmar after being alerted about the competition by Swinburne Sarawak’s Student HQ. Approximately 165 students from Swinburne Sarawak including Bwar had to complete an online assessment prior to being selected to the Campus Level. 43 students were chosen including Bwar, who thought it was a pleasant surprise. As an engineering student, he had to face stiff competition from a majority of students with business background.
Bwar went through to the National Level with five other students from Swinburne Sarawak namely Tan Leong Woon, Mubashir Ayub, Sana Faiz, Wan Faris Ali Ibrahim bin Wan Mohammad Abdullah and Obaid Jan Rafiq. Held at Maybank Academy in Bangi, he found it to be more business oriented and intense as the competition started at 7am on 4 July and ended at 2pm on 5 July. Participants had to go through a series of challenges that required them to debate and pitch proposals based on different scenarios given.
Eventually, Bwar and 13 other contestants were chosen to represent Malaysia in the Global Finals scheduled to be held from 7 to 14 August in Kuala Lumpur. Together with other challengers from various other countries, they will be in the running to win prizes worth up to USD50,000 and secure a place in Maybank’s award-winning apex programme for graduates, the Global Maybank Apprentice Programme.
The young Burmese lad believes that his study at Swinburne Sarawak has sharpened his logical thinking, particularly the engineering management unit. He also said the experience gained during his time with the Swinburne Sarawak Student Council (SSSC) had made him more resilience to pressure, and being a member of Swinburne Debaters’ Club, has helped him to be more confident in presenting.
Overall, he opined the competition was not only mentally challenging but physically challenging as well.
“The National Finals was held for more than 28 hours with very little break in between. However, it was an extremely fun experience where I had the chance to widen my knowledge on various business issues and learn about how companies conduct their businesses. It also taught me to make tough decisions based on the fact given and how to defend those decisions,” said Bwar.
Bwar, who will be leaving for Melbourne soon as an exchange student at Swinburne University main campus, hopes to complete his degree with flying colours and subsequently become a successful robotic engineer. He is also keeping his options open for now, saying that he might even venture into banking depending on the result of the Global Finals.
For more details on MGAC 2018 and shortlisted candidates’ journey to the Global Finals, follow their Instagram page (@goahead.challenge) or Facebook page (GO Ahead. Academy), or visit goaheadchallenge.com.my.
For more information about Swinburne Sarawak, visit the university’s website (www.swinburne.edu.my), Facebook page (Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak), Instagram (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).