Developing entrepreneurial mindset among the youth is what inspires the Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PNS) and the Malaysian Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MTDCC), in designing the “Varsity Entrepreneurship Skill Talent” (VEST), a platform to spur and nurture entrepreneurial talent and skills amongst university students.

VEST is intended to develop university students’ creativity and business strategy mindset through contest-based approach, which is seen to support the participation of youth in entrepreneurial programs. Under this program, participants will be coached and trained in various modules to instill business acumen like business management, business risks, critical thinking, marketing, branding, effective communication, accounting and business development, and expansion. VEST does not only provide entrepreneurial training but will also coach students to produce business models that can be developed as franchise business.

To date, there are already 20 universities that participated, and 870 students trained under this program. This, in a way, has contributed to the development of holistic, entrepreneurial, and balanced graduates in line with the Malaysia National Education Philosophy (ICGPA).

PNS’ “VEST” received a Merit Award in the 2018 ADFIAP Outstanding Development Project Award under the human capital development category.