Taylor’s University’s Camp of Leaders programme connects students and their startup ideas with industry leaders.
MENTORSHIPS, if done right, can be a catalyst that can help bring the dreams of young and aspiring people to life.
In business or life in general, a good mentor can help people lift themselves out of a rut. However, not all mentors have to be a person to whom you must go for guidance on a daily basis or to learn technical skills from.
Mentors come in many forms and Taylor’s University recognises the significance of having a mentor, as it can potentially change a person’s life for the better. A mentor is not just for the fortunate or the rich, but for those with a goal or ambition they want to see realised.
Taylor’s University’s six-month Camp of Leaders programme is a mentorship programme to connect students and their startup ideas with industry leaders, leveraging on their knowledge and experiences in mentoring sessions to develop important soft skills useful in building a business.
In line with Malaysia’s vision to advance from a production-based economy to a knowledge-intensive one, the programme acts as a springboard that empowers youths today to be game changers for the future, contributing to the nation’s progress through education.
It connects students with industry leaders such as of Women in Blockchain Asia founding member Surina Shukri, REXKL co-founder Shin Tseng, Kloth Circularity co-founder Nik Suzila, EcoKnights founder Dr Yasmin Rasyid, Komuniti Tukang Jahit founder Yap Sue Yii, PichaEats co-founder Lim Yuet Kim, McDonald’s Asia chief marketing officer Eugene Lee and VaynerMedia Europe, the Middle East and Asia (EMEA) executive creative director VJ Anand.
These high-calibre experts are paired with the innovative teams of students in various spaces, such as medical technology, renewable and efficient energy, as well as food and beverage.
One example is Kameswara Satya Prakash, a student reading his PhD in Engineering, who is eager to hone his communications skill under the guidance of Dr Yasmin.
Kameswara is confident of his product and the potential applications it has in the future of green energy. His product, Pericharge, intends to provide an intelligent charging strategy that extends the life cycle of the e-bike’s battery pack and reduces the chances of fire hazards during charging.
(second from left) Kameswara at the Camp of Leaders kick-off event, where students connected with their mentors to learn important soft skills and embark on their startup journey.
Besides being mentored by Dr Yasmin in Camp of Leaders, Kameswara and his team, under the guidance of their supervisors at Taylor’s University’s School of Engineering, recently ensured the electrical safety and functionality at Tadika Kemas Kampung Bukit Lancong, which has been severely affected by a flood.
Kameswara and his team from Taylor’s replacing damaged electrical appliances with new ones at Tadika Kemas Kampung Bukit Lancong.
This effort was recognised by the Institue of Engineering and Technology (IET), who awarded the team the Volunteer Core Value Awards under the teamwork category, a significant achievement as this award is only awarded to one team that stands out among the IET’s various global chapters.
The right mentors can come from anywhere, and to be able to connect such mentors with students will help catapult their progress beyond the conventional syllabuses of education.
The Camp of Leaders programme is part of Taylor’sphere, a well-balanced ecosystem at Taylor’s that nurtures the intellect, creativity and practical wisdom of students.
