One-of-a-kind career fiesta drives Malaysia’s highly skilled workforce in bioeconomy.

Nusajaya, Johor, 12-13 December 2015 – Aiming to fuel Malaysia’s rich talent pool in the bio-based industry, Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn Bhd (BiotechCorp) in collaboration with Industry Centre of Excellence (ICoE) Biotechnology Cluster as the main sponsor and Bio-XCell Malaysia Sdn Bhd, hosted the first PURPLE FIESTA @ BIOXCELL MALAYSIA 2015. The 2-day career campaign drew more than 250 university graduates, educators, and industry players from across Malaysia at Bio-XCell, Nusajaya, Malaysia’s premier custom-built biotechnology park, a joint venture between BiotechCorp and UEM Sunrise Berhad.

Combining industry insights, technology of engagement workshops, grooming sessions, and food stations by Mini, the PURPLE FIESTA provided an exciting and unique experience for attendees, as they explored the vast bioeconomy career opportunities available in Malaysia. The event’s purple theme signifies the colour for talent and education in the bioeconomy industry, as the shade inspires intellectual thought and achievement.

Participating universities including UniKL Melaka, Politeknik Nilai, UTM Skudai, UiTM Johor, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia and Manipal International University took part in Studio 1310 (BIO), a concept studio featuring personalised career coaching, corporate grooming and branding kit. Trained by professional coaches in the industry, the concept studio provided prospective talents an overview of career paths in the bio-based sector, guidance on making the transition into the industry, and characteristics required to excel in the profession.

On 13 December, educators including professors, lecturers and career counselors took part in Studio 777 (TTT – Train the Trainers), which served as a training for them to attract future generations into the life science industry. The concept studio also featured a talk by local artiste and celebrity Datuk Rosyam Nor, biotechnology industry updates from the Senior Management of BiotechCorp, a tour of the Bio-XCell park and a personal grooming session.

The PURPLE FIESTA represents a step forward for BiotechCorp in further developing a strong local bioeconomy workforce, in line with the 11th Malaysia Plan to transform Malaysia into an innovation and knowledge-based nation. By bridging the gap between the bio-based industry and educational institutions, the PURPLE FIESTA provides highly skilled, ready workforce for fast growing local companies while inspiring the next generation of bio-based professionals in Malaysia.

“Malaysia’s bio-talents play a crucial role in contributing to the growth of the bio-based sector while improving the quality and quantity of the workforce in the country. By 2020, a projected total of 160,000 workers are needed in the field to meet the country’s expectations in boosting the bio-based industry,” said Chief Operating Officer of BiotechCorp cum Chief Executive Officer of Bio-XCell, Razwin Sulairee Hasnan Termizi who officiated the event. “We are confident that graduates from BiotechCorp’s career programmes will continue to fuel Malaysia’s professional pool of highly skilled and educated workforce in the bio-based industries to drive the nation’s knowledge-based economy.”