MANY students can’t wait to graduate and begin working while some find the prospect daunting as they are uncertain of what to expect.

With this in mind, Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) recently organised its annual Scholars’ Development Programme (SDP), a capacity-building engagement programme for scholars to boost their confidence and prepare for challenges in their careers.

The five-day programme is tailored to introduce and equip YSD scholars with relevant leadership and personal skills.

This will enable them to be effective scholars and team players with positive attitudes and good values.

Scholars studying locally and overseas can take part in the programme.

The programme also includes Indonesian scholars sponsored by PT Minamas Gemilang, a subsidiary of Sime Darby in Indonesia.

This year’s SDP kicked off with 39 scholars getting involved in a community programme with 45 children from Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK), a foundation that runs various programmes for underprivileged children.

The activity, held at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, was facilitated by YSD and YCK staff with the aim of exposing the scholars to community work.

The scholars also spent four days at the Merlimau Estate Training Centre in Malacca.

Here, they were given talks on topics ranging from effective communications to creating a winning resume and acing job interviews.

Mock interviews were also simulated to give them an idea of how best to prepare for the working environment.

Other activities included the YSD Survivor Programme — a customised team building activity that provides real-life simulations to improve teamwork, build character, behave honestly and with integrity, and to understand the importance of using emotional intelligence.

Law student Carmen Khiah, who is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at Monash University in Australia, said she felt confident and inspired to make a difference as a YSD scholar at the end of the programme.

She also praised the facilitators for executing well-planned and highly interactive learning sessions.

Erica Choong, who is studying at the University of Melbourne, Australia, said the programme provided her with a clearer view of what to expect when making the transition to the working environment.

“It taught us how to incorporate practical, real-life skills like communication, networking and working as a team in a corporate setting,” said Erica.

The scholars also had the opportunity to have dinner with YSD chairman Tun Musa Hitam who shared his inspirational anecdotes on how he succeeded as a political and corporate leader.

Also present was YSD chief executive officer Yatela Zainal Abidin.

• Please wait.

• New SARS-like virus can probably pass person-to-person
• Nurul Izzah says not eyeing PKR presidency when mum steps down
• Coronavirus epidemic awaits, not certain to be severe - discoverer
• Merkel says has no secrets about her communist past
• Appeals court frees six backers of black-clad Egypt protest group
• Scomi Group secures RM98.5m Turkmenistan contract
• Who will be the new IGP?
• Italy's Letta urges ministers to avoid clashing in public
• Greek state workers to strike against teachers' walkout ban
• Brothers of Cleveland kidnap suspect say he was aloof for years - CNN