MAKING MALAYSIA PROUD!

Congratulations to Julia Jasmine binti Jufri for her amazing win at the 2024 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge (FedEx/JA ITC) Asia Pacific Finals held in August! This victory is a huge deal; it’s the first time in five years that a Malaysian participant has clinched the top spot. The last time Malaysia made it to top three at the regional finals was in 2019.

Julia and her teammate Cheryl Lim Xin Yi from Singapore wowed the judges with their innovative idea of creating biofilm from seaweed. Tasked with developing a market entry strategy for a product that supports circular economy in Turkey, they figured that algae could be a sustainable alternative to plastic materials. Who would have thought?

Well, Julia and Cheryl did! They drew inspiration from the growing concerns over plastic pollution and climate change in Turkey. “The idea of using seaweed to create biofilm aligned with the theme of finding eco-friendly solutions to reduce the environmental footprint in Turkey. Cheryl and I did extensive research on the environment in Turkey and discovered that Turkey has an abundance of seaweed that can be used to make biofilm,” said Julia.

Winning the 2024 FedEx/JA ITC Asia Pacific Finals opened up incredible opportunities for Julia. This competition, introduced in Malaysia in 2008, gives students hands-on experience in business strategy, international trade and entrepreneurship. It’s all about nurturing critical thinking, leadership and innovation – skills essential for success in today’s global economy. To date, over 9,200 students in Malaysia have participated in FedEx/JA ITC and Julia’s achievement stands out as one of the most impressive!

“Nurturing entrepreneurship among Malaysian youth is key to the country’s future economic growth,” chimed in Woon Tien Long, Managing Director, FedEx Malaysia. “By fostering entrepreneurial talent early on, we help to build a pipeline of future startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are vital to driving economic prosperity.”

What’s unique about FedEx/JA ITC is the cross-cultural collaboration aspect. Finalists are paired into teams of two from different markets, promoting understanding across cultures. With businesses more connected globally than ever, this collaboration gives finalists a taste of what it’s like to work with diverse teams to tackle global challenges. This year’s finals featured participants from Hong Kong, SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.

“Cross-cultural teamwork enhances our finalists’ ability to collaborate effectively across borders, navigate culture differences and understand diverse markets – a skill set invaluable for their future as business leaders. Throughout my career, including my experience as Managing Director of FedEx Thailand from 2019 to 2023, I’ve seen how working with diverse teams leads to richer ideas, innovative solutions, and ultimately, better business outcomes,” shared Woon.

So, how has this experience shaped Julia’s perspective on global trade and entrepreneurship?

It’s been an eye-opening, teaching her about the complexities of international markets that impact business decisions. Julia credits FedEx for their support: “FedEx provided invaluable mentorship and guidance throughout this journey. They took the time to listen to our product concept and offered insights that made our idea more practical and market ready,” shares Julia.

After her win, Julia plans to inspire other students interested in similar competitions. “I want to encourage more people to participate, help them learn about international trade. I’ll guide them through, aiming for success not just for themselves but also for their families, schools and country.” As part of her prize, Julia will have the chance to participate in a Job Shadow with FedEx and network with industry experts and fellow entrepreneurs.

This definitely won’t be the last we hear from Julia! She’s excited to explore her biofilm project and turn it into reality. “It will demand significant time, money and resources but with careful planning and the right support, the potential rewards outweigh the risks!” says Julia.

We’ll be right here rooting for you!