UTeM Empowers Rural Women With F&B Entrepreneurship Skills

MELAKA, March 6 (Bernama) -- Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) has launched an entrepreneurship course to help women in rural areas improve their economic status by starting a business in the food and beverage (F&B) sector.

Project leader Assoc Prof Dr Juhaini Jabar said the course involved 40 women from Kampung Pulau in Tanjung Bidara, which is a MADANI Adopted Village of the Ministry of Higher Education.

In a statement today, she said participants received comprehensive training on various aspects of the F&B business, from basic concepts to the skills needed to run a business independently.

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The course covered topics such as unique selling strategies, operations management, financial planning and pricing, risk management and intellectual property rights, she added.

The programme is divided into three phases, namely, theoretical learning, a certified Western cooking course, and an industry visit.

Juhaini explained that the course is part of a programme managed and funded by the RICE-UTeM Collaboration Centre, with support from the university’s Technology Management and Technopreneurship Faculty.

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“The F&B industry offers numerous benefits, including job creation, growth in supporting industries, increased income and local economic stimulation. Most importantly, it empowers women entrepreneurs looking to start their businesses,” she said.

UTeM Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Massila Kamalrudin said the university is committed to sharing its expertise with local communities, noting that the programme could help create more female entrepreneurs from rural areas and improve their livelihoods.

“This initiative also underscores UTeM’s dedication to making meaningful contributions to the Higher Education Ministry’s MADANI Adopted Village project, which also happens to be the adopted village of Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh,” she said.

-- BERNAMA