Mini Report
SPcasE Competition 2022 is an international intervarsity competition for undergraduates in and out of Malaysia to gather and compete by formulating the best solutions to solve real-world issues. This event is powered by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and the Society of Petroleum Engineering, UTM Student Chapter (SPE-UTM SC). It aimed to connect university students to corporate partners and industry leaders. It also promoted analytical, problem-solving, leadership and presentation skills among participants. There were two themes for participants to choose from in this case study competition which was renewable energy and supply chain. Several graduate attributes were focused on. Instantly, communication skills, thinking skills, scholarship, leadership and teamworking skills and global citizen. The participants from different countries and universities were formed in groups. Undoubtedly, their communication skill was enhanced as they need to deliver ideas orally and in writing clearly, effectively and comprehensible. Besides, they had to negotiate and reach an agreement when completing the task. They also had to develop an inquisitive mind and think critically when proposing solutions to solve specific issues. During this event, workshops were held initially so that the participants have a better comprehension to decipher the given case regarding renewable energy and the supply chain industry. In addition, special guests from the sponsored companies were invited to share on their experiences working in the company. Lastly, the participants had to pitch their ideas and solutions for the chosen case study.
Self Reflection
My experience participating in a case study competition on supply chain issues was an exciting and challenging endeavor. I quickly put together a team of like-minded individuals who shared a passion for finding innovative solutions to complex problems like this.
My team's approach for streamlining order completion was to apply “ghost kitchen” concept. This concept calls for utilizing existing kitchen space in the home or apartment for food manufacturing and delivery. This will significantly cut down on demand for bricks-and-mortar restaurant spaces, thereby reducing the associated costs. Additionally, the ghost kitchens would be able to deliver meals at a much faster rate due to their close proximity to customers.
We then proposed strategies to increase warehouse efficiency including introducing automated robots and using cloud-based logistics software to help with inventory management. These efforts improved employee productivity and enabled us to reduce costs while maintaining the highest level of customer service.
Lastly, we focused on improving supply chain inventory management by developing a unified database that would allow us to keep track of inventory levels in real time. This allowed us to proactively adjust orders, anticipate customer needs, and take advantage of greater economies of scale.
Overall, my experience participating in the case study competition was an illuminating and rewarding experience. My team was able to come up with a variety of creative solutions to increase efficiency and improve customer satisfaction, while also reducing costs. It was a great way to gain experience in supply chain management and team collaboration. The bonus on top of all the great experiences is that our team managed to become the champion of the competition.