EVENTS: Test your business and IT skills

2009/10/24

IF you want a different view of the working world as opposed to a normal internship programme, then the ARIES Malaysia Business IT Case Challenge 2009 may be for you. Created by students for students, this competition aims to gives participants a greater insight into the world of business and information technology.

Academic Research Innovation and Enrichment Society (ARIES) president Mohd Amin Mohamed Arip says there is a lack of opportunity for students in Malaysia to get in-depth industry exposure.

"When you do an internship, you would only know some aspects of the company you are attached to for those six months or so.

"The challenge, however, would provide students the chance to gain real insights from key industry players," says Mohd Amin.

The competition calls for teams of three third- or fourth-year students to assess and solve a real-life business case study, incorporating IT into their solution, in 24 hours.

You cannot put a price on the experience, says Mohd Amin Mohamed Arip

They will then present their proposal to a panel of judges which will be made up of business people from various fields.

"It's akin to an open test where the participants would have all the research material they need to help them find a solution."

Aside from the competition, there are also social events and business networking activities where future business-IT practitioners can interact with students, university academicians and industry professionals.

There are several annual competitions similar to this conducted internationally but few incorporate the business and IT angles.

For this inaugural contest, the organiser is accepting 16 teams from public and private institutions in Malaysia.

"Participants will be competing for prizes worth RM15,000 but the experience of the event is something you cannot put a price on," Mohd Amin adds.

ARIES is a student organisation under the Malaysian Institute of Information Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur.

This event will take place from Dec 2-5. Closing date for registration is Nov 7.

For details, visit www.ariesmalaysia.com, email ariesmalaysia@miit.unikl.edu.my or call 03-2175-4000 (ext 5137/4201/4331).