Small and Medium Enterprises, or SMEs, make up the bulk of our Malaysian economy. In fact, according to Ernst & Young , 97% of the Malaysian economy comprises SMEs which accounts for 48% of employment, even contributing to 38% of total Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In this Digital Innovation and Smart Society impact project, Taylor’s University students demonstrate to Malaysian SMEs how Data Analytics and Machine Learning insights can benefit their business growth. In return, business owners provide feedback on the students’ presentations and recommendations.
On 3rd January 2025, 21 groups of Taylor’s University students - mostly from the School of Computer Science and the School of Accounting and Finance under Taylor's Business School - presented their research-backed business insights to SMEs as part of the Data Analytics and Machine Learning module. Having started in August 2023, the Data Analytics and Machine Learning module has been running for three consecutive semesters since, and is continuing to yield positive outcomes since its launch. By allowing students to collaborate with SMEs and their provided datasets, students are able to gain hands-on experience in the field, observing the impact of their work directly while receiving “client feedback” unlike the usual classroom assignments.
Three out of the 15 invited SME representatives, with the majority based in Malacca, were involved in evaluating and judging the student presentations on the day. The evaluation and judging were based on meeting the stated objectives, presentation skills and recommendations. The representatives present were Puan Noriha Binti Jamari representing AKAR Global, Pn Nur Mazratul Iza Binti Hussain representing AL JANNAH SHOP Enterprise, and Puan Nurhidayah Binti Abu Bakar representing JH Enterprise.