Taylor's University is uplifting the lives of B40 single mothers through a meaningful endeavour, embarking and transforming them as entrepreneurs.
This initiative aims to improve the lives of marginalised communities and is executed through Taylor's Impact Lab on eradicating Poverty, said Professor Dr Anindita Dasgupta, director of the Impact Lab.
"We want to equip B40 single mothers with skillsets, knowledge and platforms to enhance their small businesses, providing them with a pathway to be financially independent to build a bright future for their families. The Eradicating Poverty Lab is based on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) on poverty, gender equality and reduced inequalities. Our goals in this project are to eradicate poverty and empower vulnerable communities."
"We aim to enable the B40 communities to reach M40 status through initiatives by providing practical skills to build resilience and step out of the cycle of Poverty. The challenges for the Lab are to enable the absolute and hardcore poor to meet their basic needs and lead a life of dignity, in the first phase. Our 'Womenpreneur' project targets 50 single mothers in the B40 group."
Armed with newfound expertise and a refreshed mindset, the B40 single mothers were able to generate direct income through a two-day bazaar held at Taylor's Lakeside Campus in Subang Jaya.
“The Womenpreneur project was held during a three-day workshop in August last year led by lecturers and students majoring in business, psychology, culinary, and communication. This multidisciplinary workshop series catalysed knowledge transfer and skills enhancement was executed in partnership with Taylor’s Community. It provided participants with a solid foundation to enhance their respective entrepreneurship journeys,” said Anindita.
The Bazaar proved successful, with the participants setting up their stalls selling food, drinks, skin-care products, souvenirs, textiles, and other exciting wares. They marketed their products and services to enthusiastic students, staff and visitors, raising RM 31,000 in sales over two days.
Anindita added that not only did this provide immediate financial relief for the participants, who on average generated revenue of about RM 400 per day, but it also served as a testament to their determination and resilience.
Anindita, also a Professor of Social History and Head School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said it was indeed a success from the outcomes of the increase in incomes of the B40 women. The project will be held from 2023 to 2025 to benefit at least 300 women micro-entrepreneurs from the B40 community.
“In its current phase, we have renamed it as Ibu.Niaga for better understanding by the participants. In this project, we have also included digital marketing skills,” she said
Anindita, originally from Northeast India, felt a deep personal connection to the cause as part of her research; she had witnessed firsthand the dire effects of Poverty due to internal displacement or conflicts in South Asia.
Today, Taylor's University's 13 Impact Labs have enabled the integration of research, education, and advocacy to deliver practical solutions and shape new policies, practices, or even products through solution-focused teams of academics, professional staff, practitioners, partners, and students. It has signalled a new era of meaningful engagement between the institution and its students, staff, partners and society.
Freelance Writer M.Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. M. Krishnamoorthy is a media coach, associate professor, and journalist who worked and freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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