I recently had the privilege of attending the grand finale of Malaysia’s largest Kidpreneur Programme, Goodday KidSTART 2.0, and I must say, it was an incredibly inspiring experience. Held on June 30th, 2024, the event was a beautiful testament to the creativity and potential of our young minds. The atmosphere was electric with excitement as children from across the nation gathered to showcase their innovative business ideas. The highlight of the day was watching 9-year-old Lee Yumi take the top honor with her ‘OnBoard: School Bus System’ idea, earning her RM20,000 to bring her vision to life. Her determination to solve real-life problems was truly commendable.
The competition was fierce, with over 4,000 submissions from 141 schools nationwide. SJK (C) Puay Chai was particularly impressive, winning the School With Highest Participants award thanks to their 478 entries and three students shortlisted in the Top 20. I was deeply moved by the presentations of 12-year-old Muhammad Basyeer Bin Mohamed Ackiel Mohamed, who won second place with ‘The Academy of Future: Peer to Peer Learning Coding & Robotics’, and 9-year-old Lim Zhi Fung, who secured third place with his ‘MindACT: ACTor Program’ idea. The room was filled with pride and joy as these young entrepreneurs received their well-deserved accolades.
Throughout the day, I had the pleasure of witnessing the immense talent and passion of our youth. Awards for Most Innovative Idea, Most Sustainable Idea, and Best Presenter were handed out to equally deserving participants. The Rising Star award went to 9-year-old Elsa Khaw Wen Qing, who left everyone in awe with her presentation. The event’s success was a testament to the collaborative efforts of Goodday Milk, the Ministry of Education, Alliance Bank, and all the partners involved. Their support and dedication to nurturing the next generation of kidpreneurs were evident in every aspect of the program.
Listening to the heartfelt words of Amy Gan, VP of Etika's Marketing, and Dr. Aaron Sum, Alliance Bank’s Group Chief Strategy, Marketing, & Business Development Officer, further reinforced the importance of such initiatives. Their commitment to fostering financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills among our children is paving the way for a brighter future. I felt a deep sense of gratitude and pride as I watched these young minds shine.