Proton has launched its Business Case Study Challenge, attracting nearly 300 students from six public and private universities in Malaysia as part of its Proton Young Talent (PYT) programme. The challenge encourages participants to solve real-world business problems using data analysis, business judgment, and innovative thinking. Open to university students from the first to final semester, teams must consist of four to six members. The competition aims to expand Proton’s talent pool through the PYT programme, which offers career development opportunities in the automotive sector.
The three-month challenge kicked off in September, with Proton CEO Dr. Li Chunrong delivering a talk on “The Journey of Proton’s Revival” to 150 students at Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP). In the latest UTP session, 17 groups participated, with five teams shortlisted for the final presentations. The top three winners received conditional offers to join the PYT programme in 2025.
YBhg Professor Dato’ Ir Ts. Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib, Vice Chancellor of UTP, noted that the competition provides a valuable platform for students to tackle real-world automotive business challenges, emphasizing the growing opportunities in areas such as digital transformation and electric vehicles. Eight UTP students have already completed internships at Proton, with four currently employed there.
The challenge includes a series of events, such as a career fair and an assessment centre at UTP in October, aimed at advancing the PYT programme and evaluating potential candidates. The competition fosters creativity, analytical thinking, and the application of academic knowledge, preparing students for careers in the automotive industry.
Six universities were selected for their strong engineering programs, including DRB-HICOM University of Automotive Malaysia and Universiti Malaya. The judging process, which evaluates teams on criteria like innovative thinking, depth of analysis, and feasibility, will conclude with a grand final in November. First-place winners at the university level will receive RM2,000, and the grand final champion will win RM5,000.
Proton CEO Dr. Li Chunrong emphasised the company’s commitment to fostering young talent and expanding its reach to more states next year, further driving innovation and empowering the next generation of automotive professionals.
