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The Asia School of Business (ASB) recently kicked off the SEMAI Summit aiming foster learning, support, and networking among key players in the social enterprise ecosystem.

The summit, organized by ASB in collaboration with the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, PurpoSE, and the Chamber of Social Entrepreneur Development (CSED), was inaugurated by the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development, YB Datuk Ewon Benedick.

PurpoSE Co-founder & Managing Partner, Wan Dazriq noted that, “Malaysia as a nation has vast potential that has yet to be properly unlocked with respect to the social entrepreneurship movement. From an ecosystem-building standpoint, government support through accreditation, grants, and incentives are already in place. What is lacking are the mass awareness, understanding, and cohesion in the Malaysian social entrepreneurship space. This is what we aim to bridge – the gaps in awareness and buy-in from private and public sector stakeholders through the SEMAI Summit movement.”

ASBhive Impact Challenge Partnership with Yayasan Hasanah

A key highlight of this year’s SEMAI Summit was the launch of the ASBhive-Hasanah Impact Challenge, in partnership with Yayasan Hasanah. This initiative offers RM250,000 in grants to support social enterprises that are focused on education, community development, and the environment.

The grants aim to support social enterprises at both the seed and growth stages by enhancing their capacity with funds that are easier to access. This initiative is designed to sustain operations, improve fundraising efforts, increase the public’s awareness of social innovation, and scale solutions for positive social and environmental outcomes. Applications for the grants were opened on June 27 and will close on July 31.

Yayasan Hasanah Head of Social Enterprise, Stanley Siva said, “Yayasan Hasanah is dedicated to empowering social enterprises and driving their scalability through the Hasanah Social Enterprise Fund. We are committed to expanding our capacity-building efforts through strategic partnerships, network development, and active support for the social enterprise ecosystem in Malaysia. Our collaboration with the Asia School of Business on the ASBhive-Hasanah Impact Challenge is a testament to our dedication to broadening our reach and amplifying our impact in this sector.”

ASB Deputy CEO Professor Joseph Cherian added, “ASBhive is our commitment to play a part in the development of social enterprises in Malaysia and thread into the myriad of issues confronting societies across the world. ASBhive may not be able to solve all the world’s social problems. But we endeavour to make a difference through our efforts as we host action-based Social Innovation Challenges that tackle urgent global issues but with a keen focus on making a local impact. Our collaboration with Yayasan Hasanah, through the ASBhive Social Impact Challenge provides grants to Social Enterprises aiming to scale their impact and attain sustainability”

The SEMAI Summit brought together representatives from corporations, government agencies, and social entrepreneurs, making it a meaningful opportunity for diverse sectoral engagements and innovation, and driving forward the social enterprise agenda in Malaysia.

Originally published by Disruptr MY.

Where do our perceptions of refugees come from, and are they based in truth? How do these stereotypes influence refugee-related policies in Malaysia, and what steps can be taken to address negative stereotypes both in public discourse and at the policy level? On this episode of #ConsiderThis Melisa Idris speaks to Dr Melati Nungsari, Associate Professor of Economics at the Asia School of Business and Faculty Director at the ASEAN Research Center, and Rachel Decruz Senior Research Associate at the ASEAN Research Center, about their research on understanding refugee stereotypes.

Watch here.
Originally published by Astro AWANI.

Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) managed an incredible US$11.36 trillion globally by the end of 2022, surging elevenfold from the US$1 trillion in managed assets just 20 years ago.

The MADANI administration is also seeking to refocus Malaysia’s SWFs for economic transition on an unprecedented scale by placing government-backed VC agencies such as MAVCAP and Penjana Kapital under Khazanah Nasional.

Sarawak’s first SWF, the Sarawak Sovereign Wealth Future Fund (SSWFF) also presents opportunities for transparency and good governance.

Niaga Spotlight discusses the finer details for SWF management via regional and global best practices with Dr Elsa Satkunasingam, Director of Executive Education, Asia School of Business.

Watch here.
Originally published by Astro AWANI.

KUALA LUMPUR (June 18): Over 400 smallholder farmers have achieved the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) Independent Smallholder (ISH) 2019 certification under the P&G smallholders programme, according to the P&G Centre for Sustainable Small-owners (CSS) Impact Report 2024. Another 400 ISHs are expected to be certified by the end of 2025.

Additionally, 306 certified ISHs have received a total of US$42,630 (RM200,949) in RSPO premium from 2021 to 2023 for their certified palm produce, states the report. Increased earnings as a result of certifications mean farmers are able to improve agricultural practices and serve local communities.

The P&G CSS programme was established by funding from Proctor and Gamble in 2018. It aims to facilitate the production of certified sustainable palm oil from ISH in the districts of Pontian and Batu Pahat.

CSS, which is housed in the Asia School of Business (ASB), ensures farmers adhere to local sustainability standards such as the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) and facilitates certification towards the RSPO ISH 2019. The RSPO ISH 2019 comprises three phases, and may take a farmer up to 36 months to obtain certification.

To further support ISH farmers in their certification journey, Pertubuhan Tani Niaga Lestari Negeri Johor was established by CSS to achieve certification through RSPO and MSPO training. The training helps farmers improve the quality and yield of their oil palm and connects them to local and international markets.

However, achieving certification is not the end of the road, notes the report. Surveillance audits are conducted annually as RSPO certifications are valid for five years. The audits ensure that certified farmers and farms continue to address core sectoral sustainability concerns within the palm oil industry. This includes deforestation, fire, biodiversity loss, peat land drainage, forced labour and land tenure conflict.

The CSS’ continuous improvement programme supports ISHs in their annual surveillance audits to ensure the farmers maintain production of certified produce as well as continue being eligible for RSPO premiums. Good agricultural practices and best management practices training to all ISHs was introduced in 2024 by CSS.

Post-certification selected farms are also modelled as learning farms. The aim for learning farms is to provide a picture of a well-managed palm oil farm, operate as a learning and research centre and facilitate a smooth transition to sustainable agriculture.

Starting from nine farms in 2020, the programme has achieved 250 learning farms in the final quarter of 2023. CCS benefits from 19 control learning farms used for data collection and benchmarking for CCS research. Some key findings that resulted from the research include nutrient management, best farm management practices and yield intensification.

The analysis of data collected from the learning farms also provide insights on the economic and environmental value of growing certified and sustainable palm oil.

Originally published by The Edge.

KUALA LUMPUR: Lebih 400 pekebun kecil telah mencapai Pensijilan Pekebun Kecil Rundingan Meja Bulat Minyak Sawit Mampan (RSPO) di bawah Program Pekebun Kecil P&G, demikian menurut Laporan Impak Pusat P&G Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari (CSS) 2024.

Asia School of Business dalam satu kenyataan hari ini berkata seramai 400 lagi pekebun kecil persendirian dijangka akan menerima perakuan itu menjelang akhir 2025.

Program Pekebun Kecil P&G adalah kerjasama antara Asia School of Business, P&G, dan Temasek Foundation yang bertujuan untuk menggalakkan amalan pertanian yang mampan dan baik, serta memudahkan pengeluaran minyak sawit mampan yang diperakui daripada kalangan pekebun kecil persendirian di daerah Pontian dan Batu Pahat di Johor.

Laporan itu juga menyatakan bahawa 306 pekebun kecil yang diperakui telah menerima premium berjumlah US$42,630.00 (lebih RM200,000) pada 2021-2023 bagi hasil sawit mereka yang diperakui, sekali gus meningkatkan mata pencarian mereka.

“Melaksanakan amalan pertanian yang baik menggalakkan pengurusan sisa dan kimia yang lebih baik dalam kalangan pekebun kecil, termasuk menggunakan baja.

“Pusat Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari juga telah membantu penubuhan Pertubuhan Tani Niaga Lestari Negeri Johor, yang menyaksikan keahlian meningkat kepada lebih 700 pekebun kecil,” kata kenyataan itu.

Program ini juga telah membangunkan kurikulum ringkas tentang amalan pertanian yang baik dengan Pusat Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari telah melatih 1,972 pekebun kecil tentang amalan pertanian dan pengurusan sejak Julai 2022.

Malaysia merupakan pengeluar minyak sawit kedua terbesar di dunia dengan lebih 275,000 pekebun kecil, yang secara kolektif menyumbang kira-kira 17 peratus daripada jumlah kawasan tanaman kelapa sawit negara. 

Originally published by Utusan Sarawak

KUALA LUMPUR: Lebih 400 pekebun kecil telah mencapai Pensijilan Pekebun Kecil Rundingan Meja Bulat Minyak Sawit Mampan (RSPO) di bawah Program Pekebun Kecil P&G, demikian menurut Laporan Impak Pusat P&G Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari (CSS) 2024.

Asia School of Business dalam satu kenyataan hari ini berkata seramai 400 lagi pekebun kecil persendirian dijangka akan menerima perakuan itu menjelang akhir 2025.

Program Pekebun Kecil P&G adalah kerjasama antara Asia School of Business, P&G, dan Temasek Foundation yang bertujuan untuk menggalakkan amalan pertanian yang mampan dan baik, serta memudahkan pengeluaran minyak sawit mampan yang diperakui daripada kalangan pekebun kecil persendirian di daerah Pontian dan Batu Pahat di Johor.

Laporan itu juga menyatakan bahawa 306 pekebun kecil yang diperakui telah menerima premium berjumlah US$42,630.00 (lebih RM200,000) pada 2021-2023 bagi hasil sawit mereka yang diperakui, sekali gus meningkatkan mata pencarian mereka.

“Melaksanakan amalan pertanian yang baik menggalakkan pengurusan sisa dan kimia yang lebih baik dalam kalangan pekebun kecil, termasuk menggunakan baja.

“Pusat Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari juga telah membantu penubuhan Pertubuhan Tani Niaga Lestari Negeri Johor, yang menyaksikan keahlian meningkat kepada lebih 700 pekebun kecil,” kata kenyataan itu.

Program ini juga telah membangunkan kurikulum ringkas tentang amalan pertanian yang baik dengan Pusat Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari telah melatih 1,972 pekebun kecil tentang amalan pertanian dan pengurusan sejak Julai 2022.

Malaysia merupakan pengeluar minyak sawit kedua terbesar di dunia dengan lebih 275,000 pekebun kecil, yang secara kolektif menyumbang kira-kira 17 peratus daripada jumlah kawasan tanaman kelapa sawit negara. 

Originally published by Berita Harian.

KUALA LUMPUR: Lebih 400 pekebun kecil telah mencapai Pensijilan Pekebun Kecil Rundingan Meja Bulat Minyak Sawit Mampan (RSPO) di bawah Program Pekebun Kecil P&G, demikian menurut Laporan Impak Pusat P&G Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari (CSS) 2024.

Asia School of Business dalam satu kenyataan hari ini berkata seramai 400 lagi pekebun kecil persendirian dijangka akan menerima perakuan itu menjelang akhir 2025.

Program Pekebun Kecil P&G adalah kerjasama antara Asia School of Business, P&G, dan Temasek Foundation yang bertujuan untuk menggalakkan amalan pertanian yang mampan dan baik, serta memudahkan pengeluaran minyak sawit mampan yang diperakui daripada kalangan pekebun kecil persendirian di daerah Pontian dan Batu Pahat di Johor.

Laporan itu juga menyatakan bahawa 306 pekebun kecil yang diperakui telah menerima premium berjumlah US$42,630.00 (lebih RM200,000) pada 2021-2023 bagi hasil sawit mereka yang diperakui, sekali gus meningkatkan mata pencarian mereka.

“Melaksanakan amalan pertanian yang baik menggalakkan pengurusan sisa dan kimia yang lebih baik dalam kalangan pekebun kecil, termasuk menggunakan baja.

“Pusat Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari juga telah membantu penubuhan Pertubuhan Tani Niaga Lestari Negeri Johor, yang menyaksikan keahlian meningkat kepada lebih 700 pekebun kecil,” kata kenyataan itu.

Program ini juga telah membangunkan kurikulum ringkas tentang amalan pertanian yang baik dengan Pusat Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari telah melatih 1,972 pekebun kecil tentang amalan pertanian dan pengurusan sejak Julai 2022.

Malaysia merupakan pengeluar minyak sawit kedua terbesar di dunia dengan lebih 275,000 pekebun kecil, yang secara kolektif menyumbang kira-kira 17 peratus daripada jumlah kawasan tanaman kelapa sawit negara.

Originally published by The Sun.

KUALA LUMPUR: Lebih 400 pekebun kecil telah mencapai Pensijilan Pekebun Kecil Rundingan Meja Bulat Minyak Sawit Mampan (RSPO) di bawah Program Pekebun Kecil P&G, demikian menurut Laporan Impak Pusat P&G Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari (CSS) 2024.

Asia School of Business dalam satu kenyataan hari ini berkata seramai 400 lagi pekebun kecil persendirian dijangka akan menerima perakuan itu menjelang akhir 2025.

Program Pekebun Kecil P&G adalah kerjasama antara Asia School of Business, P&G, dan Temasek Foundation yang bertujuan untuk menggalakkan amalan pertanian yang mampan dan baik, serta memudahkan pengeluaran minyak sawit mampan yang diperakui daripada kalangan pekebun kecil persendirian di daerah Pontian dan Batu Pahat di Johor.

Laporan itu juga menyatakan bahawa 306 pekebun kecil yang diperakui telah menerima premium berjumlah US$42,630.00 (lebih RM200,000) pada 2021-2023 bagi hasil sawit mereka yang diperakui, sekali gus meningkatkan mata pencarian mereka.

“Melaksanakan amalan pertanian yang baik menggalakkan pengurusan sisa dan kimia yang lebih baik dalam kalangan pekebun kecil, termasuk menggunakan baja.

“Pusat Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari juga telah membantu penubuhan Pertubuhan Tani Niaga Lestari Negeri Johor, yang menyaksikan keahlian meningkat kepada lebih 700 pekebun kecil,” kata kenyataan itu.

Program ini juga telah membangunkan kurikulum ringkas tentang amalan pertanian yang baik dengan Pusat Untuk Pemilik Kecil Lestari telah melatih 1,972 pekebun kecil tentang amalan pertanian dan pengurusan sejak Julai 2022.

Malaysia merupakan pengeluar minyak sawit kedua terbesar di dunia dengan lebih 275,000 pekebun kecil, yang secara kolektif menyumbang kira-kira 17 peratus daripada jumlah kawasan tanaman kelapa sawit negara.

Originally published by Bernama.