Excitement is building as the Junior Achievement (JA) Asia Pacific Company of the Year Competition returns for its 18th year, this time hosted by JA Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur. Organised by JA Asia Pacific and supported by the PMI Educational Foundation (PMIEF), the event is set to showcase the entrepreneurial prowess of high school students from 12 different markets in this region.
The JA Asia Pacific Company of the Year Competition 2024 will be held from 12 to 14 March 2024 at the AC Hotel by Marriott Kuala Lumpur. This Competition is a culmination of the JA Company Program, an initiative aimed at students aged 15-18, providing them with hands-on experience in starting and running a business.
This year, 21 teams from China, Guam, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam will compete for the awards.
Maziar Sabet, President and CEO of JA Asia Pacific reflected on this year’s Company of the Year Competition as well as JA’s third straight Nobel Peace Prize nomination, “The Asia Pacific Region is home to over 60% of the world’s youth, a key driver of the global economy and a growing influence on popular culture.
Youth empowerment in our region is essential to peace and prosperity and vital to the welfare of all humanity. Young people represent not only the future but also the vibrant present, actively shaping our communities, workplaces, and global arenas. As one of the world’s largest and most impactful youth-serving organizations, JA has the scale and
experience to build a brighter future for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders.”
He added, “Our Nobel Peace Prize nomination underscores JA’s work as a conduit for peace and prosperity. Extreme financial inequity is a key culprit in division and disparity. Combined with our global footprint, JA’s efforts in financial inclusion and literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness are vital to bridging this gap, propelling the world towards a higher state of justice and, ultimately, unity and peace. The JA Company Program combined with this competition present a unique opportunity for profound impact.”
Members of the public are cordially invited to the JA Company of the Year Trade Fair on 12 March 2024 at Paradigm Mall, Petaling Jaya. Here, student companies will sell/promote their products/services during the Trade Fair.
The 2024 JA Company of the Year Awards include prestigious titles such as Company of the Year (First, Second, and Third Place), Best Business Video Award, Product of the Year Award, and Best Financial Management Award.
The competition not only celebrates achievements but also fosters a culture of collaboration, critical decision-making, and effective communication among students. The three-day competition goes beyond recognizing financial success; it emphasizes personal development, innovation, and understanding the ‘why’ behind a company’s performance. Judges will be on the lookout for teams that showcase a deep understanding of ongoing innovation.
PMIEF, works with JA Asia Pacific to build its organizational project management capabilities to maximize the impact of program delivery on youth in the region. Through this partnership, JA Asia Pacific will promote project management as a life skill, enabling their full potential through project management.