By Zaki Salleh
MANJUNG, — A total of 15 students from the Fashion and Clothing Certificate programme at Manjung Community College are testing their entrepreneurial abilities throughout this Ramadan.
Aged between 18 and 28, the students — who are primarily skilled in sewing — have instead taken on a “real business” task of selling food.
With a capital of RM500, they produce and sell three types of creative popiah, targeting daily sales of 120 pieces at a stall located near the college campus.
Among the offerings are carbonara popiah (RM10 for five pieces), Big Mac chicken or beef popiah (RM3 to RM3.50 per piece), and vegetable popiah (RM4 for five pieces).
The unique menu variations have attracted attention from customers in the surrounding area, including office staff and visitors from nearby premises.
The assignment not only fulfils course requirements but also provides students with real experience in managing a business.
The students’ initiative has also been facilitated with support from the local authorities.
The Manjung Municipal Council, through its Licensing and Enforcement Department, provides a legal space for young entrepreneurs to conduct business under the Community Upliftment Through Business Approach (CUBA) Programme.
Through the programme, young entrepreneurs receive comprehensive briefings on the procedures for applying for business permits.
Mohamad Sharil Salihan, director of the council’s Licensing and Enforcement Department, said the permit fees imposed are also affordable at RM5 per day or RM30 per week via JomPAY payment.
He said the initiative is seen as a way to encourage more youths to venture into entrepreneurship legally and in an organised manner.
“We continuously support and nurture the business culture among young people in Manjung from their student days.
“This initiative by the Fashion and Clothing Certificate students proves that a skills-based field does not limit one’s potential,” he said.
