KUALA LUMPUR: Lazada Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch Lazada4Youth to promote digital entrepreneurship and innovation among local youths in Malaysia.
Lazada4Youth involves a series of workshops for aspiring digital entrepreneurs, with the added bonus to be onboarded as new sellers or digital marketing affiliates.
The first workshop, led by Lazada Certified Trainers, was conducted on the day of the MOU signing ceremony, together with bright young talents from Lazada Malaysia's Business Development and User Growth teams.
About 400 students participated in the workshop in-person, while more than 3,500 participants joined the workshop via UiTM's Faculty of Business and Management official YouTube channel.
Insights were shared on the eCommerce industry, digital branding, enhancing digital presence, affiliate marketing and seller onboarding, while 15 local entrepreneurs showcased their businesses as part of the event exhibition.
The workshop also included a special segment on business challenges and success stories as shared by Datuk Rizalman Ibrahim, an icon in the fashion and interior design industry, who is also a member of UiTM's board of directors, as well as Anisah Farid, a leading creative designer.
Cheang Kiat Cheong, chief financial officer of Lazada Malaysia said robust participation and inclusion of youth in the nation's digital economy were instrumental to foster a sustainable growth for the next generation of eCommerce.
"Lazada4Youth strives to empower young entrepreneurs to discover more ways to build a more inclusive and sustainable model for their own businesses, while championing the growth of the local digital economy."
UiTM vice chancellor Datuk Dr Roziah Mohd Janor said: "As a talent provider to stimulate stronger digital entrepreneurship capabilities, UiTM is consistently seeking creative ways to provide a better platform to nurture and reinvigorate talents. Lazada4Youth will set a new benchmark for UiTM as a catalyst to stimulate capacity building among students and nurture future-ready leaders."
Upon completion of the Lazada4Youth workshop, participating students that are ready and able to sell their products online can be onboarded the Lazada platform under the "Hari-Harimau New Seller Kickstarter Package 2022", with zero commission fee on top of other benefits, including two per cent payment fee waiver and free RM150 ad credits.
A dedicated team of experts will also guide the aspiring digital entrepreneurs to ensure a steady induction, especially during the first three months with Lazada.
Alternatively, they can opt to sign up for the Affiliate Marketing Programme which enables them to earn side income by optimising on their social media following.
The Lazada4Youth initiative will continue to be developed and rolled out across the country, reaching out to students in other UiTM campuses in the Southern and Northern regions, as well as East Malaysia, followed by other local universities in Malaysia.