Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn. Bhd. continues to strengthen its commitment towards developing future talents through a new industry-academia partnership with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Selangor Branch. The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the closing ceremony of the Gardenia x UiTM Apprenticeship 2026, marking another milestone in efforts to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world industry experience. The partnership aims to provide students with greater exposure to the food and bakery manufacturing industry while equipping them with practical skills, creative thinking and business knowledge needed to succeed in today’s competitive job market. Through the apprenticeship programme, UiTM students had the opportunity to explore various aspects of product innovation, brand development and marketing strategies involving bread-based products. The initiative was designed to give participants a better understanding of how a product moves from an initial idea to a final product that is ready for consumers. Gardenia believes that young talents play an important role in shaping the future of Malaysia’s industries. According to Puan Ena Suhaila Abas, Senior Marketing Manager of Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn. Bhd., the programme was created not only to expose students to the working environment but also to encourage them to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. “Gardenia has always believed that Malaysia’s younger generation is the nation’s greatest asset. Through this Apprenticeship programme, students are given the opportunity to explore their creativity and think like entrepreneurs, brand strategists and product creators,” she said. She added that Gardenia hopes the collaboration will inspire students to develop fresh ideas while creating meaningful contributions to the food industry. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Taufek Abdul Rahman, Acting Rector of UiTM Selangor Branch, shared that UiTM remains committed to creating more opportunities for students to engage directly with industry partners. He said collaborations like this allow students to experience real business challenges, improve their confidence and strengthen their skills before entering the professional world. The closing ceremony was also attended by Mr. Derrick Khoo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn. Bhd., along with programme participants, lecturers and representatives from both organisations. The Gardenia x UiTM Apprenticeship 2026 brought together 22 UiTM campuses across Peninsular Malaysia, involving 110 students who participated in a product innovation challenge. Each campus was represented by a team of five students under the guidance of a lecturer-mentor. Participants were challenged to create new product ideas based on Gardenia’s Ready-to-Eat (RTE) range, including QuickBites, PUAZZ!, Toast’em Waffles, Squiggles and Twiggies. The challenge encouraged students to develop creative concepts with strong branding potential and commercial value. Throughout the first phase, teams submitted three innovative product concepts through video presentations. Five shortlisted teams then moved on to the final stage, where they developed detailed brand strategy proposals and presented their ideas directly to the judging panel. The top award went to Munchz Grab & Bites Delight from UiTM Pahang Branch, Raub Campus, who received RM5,000 and an industry training placement with Gardenia. Kaya Cakoi Bites from UiTM Negeri Sembilan Branch, Kuala Pilah Campus achieved second place, while Dip N Bite from UiTM Kelantan Branch, Kota Bharu Campus secured third place. Meanwhile, Mochi Roti Bites from UiTM Kelantan Branch, Machang Campus and GD Burger from UiTM Negeri Sembilan Branch, Seremban Campus received consolation prizes. The Best Presenter Award was also presented to the UiTM Pahang Branch, Raub Campus team. Representatives from the winning team, Munchz Grab & Bites Delight, described the programme as a valuable learning experience that provided deeper exposure into the bakery industry. They shared that the initiative helped enhance their understanding of product development, branding and business strategy. Alongside the apprenticeship initiative, UiTM also conducted a study involving more than 2,200 students from the participating campuses to better understand their dietary habits. The study focuses on students’ eating patterns and their possible connection with academic performance and mental well-being. The research findings will be compiled into an official UiTM report, providing useful insights for Gardenia to better understand the preferences, lifestyles and needs of young consumers. Gardenia also extended its engagement with students through a University Roadshow held across all participating campuses. The roadshow allowed students to interact with the Gardenia team, discover its latest Ready-to-Eat products and participate in various activities. More than 11,000 RTE product packs were distributed throughout the roadshow series as part of Gardenia’s efforts to strengthen brand engagement among young consumers while supporting industry-driven learning opportunities. Through its collaboration with UiTM, Gardenia continues to play an active role in nurturing future-ready talents and supporting innovation within Malaysia’s food and bakery industry. Post navigation Bliss Juice Jalin Kerjasama Bersama Nabila Razali, Bawa Inspirasi Gaya Hidup Sihat Kepada Rakyat Malaysia