SEREMBAN, NEGERI SEMBILAN, March 2025: The Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB), in collaboration with Forest Interactive Foundation (FIF), successfully concluded the SDG Biz Challenge Programme 2025, a two-day youth entrepreneurship program, held as half-day sessions on March 6–7 at Sekolah Menengah Teknik Tuanku Jaafar, Seremban. The programme brought together 30 student participants to explore sustainable business innovation aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDG Biz Challenge was designed to provide a holistic and engaging experience through a structured format that included interactive workshops, personalized mentoring, and pitching session. Students participated in hands-on learning activities that introduced them to SDG principles, entrepreneurship fundamentals, green finance, and presentation skills. They received guidance from experienced facilitators while developing mock business plans, culminating in a pitching competition where they showcased their ideas to industry professionals and educators. The format encouraged collaboration, creativity, and real-world application of sustainable business concepts.
The first half-day session began with a welcome speech by Mr. TS. Sudiman Bin Musa, Principal of SMT TuankuJaafar, followed by an opening address from an AICB representative and programme introduction by FIF. Students then participated in an ice-breaking activity to form teams and share their ambitions.
The morning continued with fourcore workshops: an introduction to the SDGs, entrepreneurship fundamentals, SDGbrainstorming, and presentation skills with dedicated mentoring from SyahirahTaha, the appointed trainer for the SDG Biz Challenge. Syahirah, a Certified Sustainability (ESG) Practitioner with over seven years of experience inenvironmental and social governance, brought her expertise in environmentalconsulting, climate risk assessment, and sustainability strategy to guideparticipants in refining their business mockups and preparing for the pitching segment.
These sessions were focused onhelping students understand global challenges, explore sustainable businessmodels, and develop effective communication strategies. The day concluded witha hands-on business mockup development session, where students used Canva todesign their ideas and received feedback from trainers and AICB representatives.
The second half-day session focusedon transforming ideas into impactful presentations. Each of the six teams then presented their sustainable business ideas to a panel of judges comprising an AICB representative and two teachers, using structured scoring criteria that assessed creativity, feasibility, SDG alignment, and presentation delivery.
The pitching session showcased arange of innovative concepts addressing issues such as poverty, climate action, and responsible consumption. Following the presentations, judges deliberated and announced the winners during an award ceremony officiated by the school principal and AICB representative. Prizes were awarded as follows: RM600 for Group 1 (Jr. Innovators) as the winning team, RM400 for Group 5 (CommerceChamps) in second place, RM300 for Group 3 (Twilight) in third place, RM250 for Group 1 (Jr. Innovators) for Best Presentation, and RM175 each for three groups receiving consolation prizes which are Group 2 (Mawars), Group 4 (Inteligirls), and Group 6 (Starchamps).
The participants shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many describing it as a transformative experience. Students spoke about how the two-day journey helped them grow personally and discover new strengths, especially in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. They also reflected on the Sustainable Development Goals that inspired them most, highlighting No Poverty, Quality Education, and Climate Action as areas close to their hearts. The feedback reflects how the programme not only equipped young people with practical skills but also deepened their passion for creating a more sustainable future.
