Publication: Berita Minggu, p 3 Date: 7 September 2008 Headline: Students acquired business knowledge and experiences in the

Middle East

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Timba ilmu niaga dan raih pengalaman di Timur Tengah

Projek kedua pula memheri tumpuan kepada an& eyarikat S i p u r n hnpengkalan di sass.

Turut menjalani program BSM ialah Encik

G a b 23 tahun ini tolah b&ya wdopatkan pekerjann d e w E n h t e s National Oil Compaqy

FOTO: TAUFIK A.KADER Pengalaman berguna: (Dari kiru Cik Siti Mahdiyah Jahari, Encik Khairulariffin Zulkiii dan Endk Zulfarhan Zainal Abidin menimba pengalaman di Timur Tengah dalam Program Misi Belajar Perniagaan (BSM) kelolaan Universiti Pengurusan Singapura (SMU).

Source: Berita Minggu O Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

Publication: Berita Minggu, p 3 Date: 7 September 2008 Headline: Students acquired business knowledge and experiences in the

Middle East

Picture caption

Useful experience: (From left) Ms Siti Mahdiyah Jahari, Mr Khairulariffin Zulkifli and Mr. Zulfarhan Zainal Abidin gained experiences in the Middle East under the course in Singapore Management University (SMU), the Business Study Mission (BSM)

Students acquired business knowled~e and experiences in the Middle East

The ongoing ties between Singapore and the Middle East are seen reinforced through the Business Study Mission (BSM) module launched by the Singapore Management University.

Last April 2008, the students who went through a 10-day study trip to the Middle East, returned with an enriched knowledge not just of its business developments and the lessons that can be drawn from them, but also of the rich culture and history of the selected territories within the Gulf region.

Amongst which, one of the students who had the opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was Mr. Zulfarhan Zainal Abidin, a 3rd year student currently studying in Business and Accountancy.

Aside from the business knowledge gained, the 23 year old also had the opportunity to perform "Umrah", which refers to pilgrimage to the Holy Mecca, done independently of the Hajj.

"It was not by chance that I was given the opportunity to perform "Umrah". The Muslim student, who was part of the BSM UAE & Saudi Arabia, had made initial plans to perform the pilgrimage even though he was given only 4 hours in Mecca," he said.

Prior to the Middle East trip itself, Mr Zulfarhan and his fellow classmates were required to undergo a series of intensive seminars and complete 2 group projects covering various subject matters on the Gulf countries which hey visited.

The first project looks into the general overview study on the social, geographical and economic aspects to acquire fundamental knowledge about the region. The second project comprised an in- depth study of companies present in or intending to internationalize into the Middle East region.

Another undergraduate who participated in the BSM to the Middle East was Mr. Khairulariffin Zulkifli, a 22 year old, 2" year Accountancy student.

He participated in the BSM UAE &Bahrain and is amongst a small pool of first year students from the same batch who managed to secure an internship in the Middle East.

"The real estate sector is booming rapidly in the region. As part of our itinerary, we visited various real estate companies while we were there. I felt privileged to be able to see it in person as I've always had a strong interest in the real estate industry."

"Practical experience served as an important source of learning. Relying on the internet or text books alone are insufficient," he remarked.

Ms. Siti Mahdiyah Jahari, a 23 year old SMU graduate who majored in Finance and Marketing, also participated in the BSM.

The 23 year old female is currently working at the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) in Singapore, after completing an internship in the same company at its base in Dubai.

"I had undergone an internship at ENOC, Dubai previously and upon graduation, I was offered a full time position as an analyst" she said.

Clearly, the BSM to the Middle East has spelt many successful opportunities for SMU's undergraduates.

Source: Berita Minggu O Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction.