Well-deserved: Ruhaya (centre, back row) with Azman (left) and Walker (right) posing with the awardees at the Finco Annual Awards Ceremony 2023.
Repurposing used oil from their canteen operator and extended community to create products such as soaps and candles was how Team Herofinity from SK Parit Raja, Johor, who went up against seven teams from Egypt, England and Scotland, earned the prestigious “Best Product” title during their social enterprise pitch at the International Dragons’ Den recently.
Organised by the Financial Industry Collective Outreach (Finco) in partnership with the United Kingdom-based Social Enterprise Academy (SEA), the competition, held on Nov 16, saw Team Herofinity giving a presentation titled “Soaps and Bubbles for a Clogged Sink and Drain” as part of the last leg of their 2022 “Good SENS” journey.
This marked their second year participating in the programme designed to impart financial literacy concepts to primary school pupils aged 10 to 12.
Team Power from SJK(T) Ladang Kinrara, Selangor, was the other Malaysian team shortlisted for the international competition.
“Being able to compete at the international level is a reward in itself. We are immensely proud of how far these teams have come in their journey of social entrepreneurship.
“Seeing them take their place on the global stage exemplifies the calibre of talent that Malaysian pupils have to offer, as long as they receive the necessary support and guidance,” said Finco chief executive officer Clare Walker.
Through Good SENS, pupils are able to identify and apply essential financial principles while actively addressing pressing environmental issues, as they develop and run social enterprises to showcase in the National Dragons’ Den.
This year, the programme centred around the “Environmental and Sustainability” theme, challenging pupils to devise innovative solutions to environmental problems.
The Good SENS National Dragons’ Den 2023, held on Dec 4 at Petrosains, Kuala Lumpur, saw eight finalists out of 80 competing teams vying for the top prize.
Two teams jointly won the “Best Overall Social Enterprise” title.
Team Green Troopers from SK Taman Sea, Selangor, sold environmentally-friendly products made by the Mah Meri community, leading to employment opportunities for women, with profits supporting education for the community’s children, while Team G.O.A.T from SK Parit Bakar Darat, Johor, collected and recycled cooking oil to make soap and candles, using profits to buy an oil trap to address the issue of clogged oil in their school’s drainage system.
Both schools and their team members took home trophies and a cash prize of RM1,500 each.
Team Dragons Fire from SK Peradong, Negri Sembilan, bagged the “Most Entrepreneurial Award” while Team Bubble Tea from SJK(C) Gau San, Johor, took home the “Outstanding Impact on Environment and Sustainability Award”.
The Good SENS Awards recognise pupils for outstanding achievements in improving their financial literacy and establishing their social enterprises, as well as teachers and financial industry volunteers who provided invaluable support throughout the pupils’ eight-month entrepreneurial journey.
Among the pupils recognised were Tengku Nur Aliaa Az-Zahraa Tuan Azmil Abdullah from SK Taman Bukit Indah, Selangor (Outstanding Leader); Muhammad Syazwan Afzal Shahrizal from SK Taman SEA (Most Effective Communicator); and Shasha Kamilea Salahuddin from SK Peradong (Most Enthusiastic Learner).
Rema Menon C.V. Kesavan from SK Taman SEA received the “Best Teacher Award”.
A panel of judges, comprising AmBank Group Wholesale Banking managing director Jamzidi Khalid, Bank Negara Malaysia Financial Education Network (FEN) manager Norakma Mohd Ghazali, and Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency (AKPK) Household Financial Education Department senior executive Noor Aziera Ezurien, provided feedback to the participating teams. The judges not only evaluated the business acumen displayed by the young entrepreneurs, but also offered guidance on building and sustaining impactful businesses.
Finco chairman Tan Sri Azman Hashim said the financial industry’s mentorship of the Good SENS teams has been instrumental in creating a transformative experience for all the pupils involved.
“By equipping them with the relevant financial skills required to run their own businesses, these pupils were empowered to make smart entrepreneurial decisions that eventually led to the inspiring outcomes, including on the environment, that we’ve witnessed today,” he said.
The Good SENS programme is set to expand its reach next year, with an additional 30 schools joining the initiative, Finco said.
“Finco aspires to send more teams to participate in more international events, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, financial literacy and social responsibility among the youth,” its press release read.
The trophies were presented by Education Ministry Research and Evaluation deputy director Dr Ruhaya Hassan at the Finco Annual Awards Ceremony 2023 on Dec 5.
A total of five teachers, eight financial industry volunteers, and 33 pupils were awarded for their outstanding achievements and participation in Good SENS and other Finco programmes.
