RU ACTIVITY
University
advancement
camp
University Advancement Camp:
From Idea to Impact: Design Thinking and Business Strategy for Innovation
Raffles University recently had the pleasure of hosting an enriching University Advancement Camp to welcome 11 participants from Tianjin University of Commerce, Bostead College. Held from 17 to 21 February, this programme provided an opportunity for students to explore Malaysian attractions and culture while participating in an intensive practical cross disciplinary workshop—“From Idea to Impact: Design Thinking and Business Strategy for Innovation”—in collaboration with A.K. Koh Sdn Bhd (A1).
"From Idea to Impact: Design Thinking and Business Strategy for Innovation"
—in collaboration with A.K. Koh Sdn Bhd (A1).
Involvement of Real Industry Partner
This project was conducted in partnership with A1, under the leadership of Mr. Koh Chung Jie, Chief Operating Officer. He introduced participants to a selection of A1 products and provided a briefing on their key features and market positioning.
Beyond the structured sessions, participants also had the opportunity to visit A.K. Koh Enterprise Sdn Bhd. During the visit, they gained valuable insights into the production process and warehouse operations, enhancing their understanding of real-world industry practices.
Building Innovation Mindsets through Design Thinking
The programme kicked off with an introduction to Design Thinking, setting the stage for participants to explore innovation-driven strategies. They were introduced to Miro AI, a collaborative tool used to gain empathy and define key insights. This was followed by a deep dive into the Business Model Canvas, a crucial framework for structuring business ideas effectively. The day concluded with a Prototype and Test session, allowing participants to apply their learnings in a practical setting.
Empathy is at the core of design thinking, and participants spent the second day learning how to gain empathy and define user challenges. Through guided facilitation, they explored techniques such as Empathy Mapping and information gathering, enabling them to step into the users’ shoes and understand their needs more profoundly. The Miro AI tool played a key role in helping participants visualize and map their insights effectively.
Business Strategy and Market Analysis
Over the next two days, the focus shifted to business strategy, with an emphasis on Market Analysis and Segmentation. Participants learned how to identify market opportunities, understand consumer behavior, and apply the Business Model Canvas to refine their ideas. This segment helped bridge the gap between ideation and real-world business applications.
Finalising and Presenting Innovations
The final day was dedicated to refining prototypes and preparing for presentations. Participants worked on final adjustments to their business ideas before presenting them to the CEO and COO of A1, receiving valuable feedback to enhance their concepts.
The programme concluded with reflections and insights from both clients and facilitators. This final session ensured that participants gained meaningful takeaways, equipping them with practical knowledge and strategies for future applications.
Explore the beauty of Malaysia
As part of the camp, participants visited local attractions in Melaka and enjoyed Malaysian cuisine. The university also arranged cultural and heritage explorations, giving them a broader perspective on business innovation in different cultural contexts.
Raffles University is honored to welcome the students from Boestead College for the University Advancement Camp. We hope they enjoy the uniqueness of Malaysia and have a memorable learning experience.
A special appreciation to Mr Koh from A1 for the collaboration opportunity in bringing valuable industry insights from Malaysia to the camp students from China.
