Business-minded and creative students encouraged to join SIFE

For those interested in putting their thinking caps on to create a more sustainable future for people in need, SIFE is the way to go.

An acronym for Students in Free Enterprise, this international non-profit organisation aims to create a more sustainable world through business.

With a diverse network of university students, industry leaders and academicians, SIFE projects are birthed and managed with the aim of improving the quality of life for those in need.

Programme Manager of SIFE Malaysia Albert Oh came to Taylor’s University to speak to students interested about the organisation.

“We want students to help people and empower them, guiding them with skills to survive on their own,” he said.

Oh stressed that SIFE was not a charitable body, but rather an organisation dedicated to enable students to impart their knowledge to the less fortunate through community service initiatives focused on business and sustainability.

The Ministry of Higher Education supports SIFE and will provide the initial funds for the projects.

Each year, students present their projects at a national-level competition judged by business leaders in their respective nations.

The winners then move on to the SIFE World Cup held in different countries each year, where they compete with winners from other countries.

Projects are assessed on how they improve the quality of life and standard of living for the disadvantaged and how the projects affect three areas: economic, social and environmental.

Assistant Manager of Student Development Hub Janaronson Nagarajah said that SIFE would benefit both students and lecturers alike.

“Students will be able to apply what they have learnt academically while helping people in need, while lecturers will obtain the experience of helping these students empower the community,” he said.

Many SIFE alumni worldwide have later found jobs in multinational corporations upon graduation due to their creative skills, business insights and heart for the community.

If you would like more information on SIFE, please drop by the Student Life Centre or email Mr. Ronson at janaronson.nagarajah@taylors.edu.my with your name, course, phone number and email address.

(By Michelle Chun)