Background UEC

The UNITEN Entrepreneurship Center (UEC) was established as part of a strategic effort to align with Malaysia’s educational policies aimed at promoting entrepreneurship in higher education. The idea for UEC came from discussions with key figures, including Datin Dr. Syahira Hamidon from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), who emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship not just for students, but also for staff.

In April 2016, a consultation with Dr. Syahira confirmed that the proposed UEC model aligned well with MOHE’s vision. She highlighted the need for the center to report directly to the Vice Chancellor, ensuring its significance within UNITEN’s structure. It was also noted that UNITEN needed to strengthen its collaborations with key entrepreneurship bodies and government agencies, as there had been missed opportunities in the past.

UEC's development was further refined through benchmarking visits, such as to UKM's Centre for Entrepreneurship and SME Development (CESMED), which provided insights that helped shape UEC’s structure. The center's mission was closely aligned with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025, focusing on creating job creators instead of job seekers.

Today, UEC is under the Student Affairs Department, but it continues to function with the same mission promoting an entrepreneurial mindset among UNITEN students and staff, contributing to Malaysia’s broader educational and economic goals.