Maybank GO Ahead. Challenge Grand Launch

Maybank GO Ahead. Challenge (MGAC) is back again this year with its third season that promises you the ultimate adrenaline rush, bigger, bolder and better across 14 countries!

In case you don't know, MGAC is an exciting international business case competition that offers the brightest young minds from Malaysian, ASEAN and across the globe the opportunity to exhibit their potential. If you're thinking that this competition is all about presentation and discussion of business strategy, then you're wrong. MGAC is specially designed and organized by Maybank where participants will be put to test in various discipline and multi-national initiative besides giving them a money-can't-buy-world-class experience that only comes once in a lifetime. It's like The Apprentice, The Amazing Race, Fear Factor and Masterchef all in one! I kid you not, they are even required to cook a meal for the unfortunate. Being intelligent is not enough, you have got to be physically and mentally fit for this challenge as well. 

I had the opportunity to attend the grand launch of MGAC at GSC, Pavilion last week and it's definitely an eye opener for me. I've never heard of this challenge before although it has been an on-going annual event since 2012. I felt that MGAC is indeed a great opportunity and platform for those who study in the business industry to pursue their dreams and work their way to success.  

Wondering what awaits them at the end of the challenge? Participants worldwide will compete individually and in teams for the chance to make it to the international grand finals and win a total cash prizes of USD 72,000. Yes, I repeat USD 72,000! The ultimate GO Ahead. Challenger will be awarded with a cash prize of USD 1,000 and a two-week internship experience in New York. The best has yet to come...both the Champion Team and the Ultimate GO Ahead. Challenger will win exclusive participation in Maybank's Global Leadership Development Programme with the Bank's most influential top 50 leaders. 

At the press conference, Puan Nora Abdul Manaf, the Group Chief Human Capital Officer, Maybank announced that MGAC have received closed to 7,500 applicants this year, with an increase of 50% as compared to last year. That is definitely a huge amount. It has also expand its horizon in attracting participants all the way from Algeria, Russia, Spain, Kazakhstan, Maldives and even Italy.

We were then brought into the hall for a video presentation and speech by Puan Nora.

This is just a snippet of the video that was showcased the other day; we get to watched what the participants from previous seasons underwent and some of the unforgettable experiences of the former Go Ahead challengers. It was way more intense and challenging! They even had a night where their laptops were attacked by virus that deleted all of their files and they had to redo the whole presentation from scratch. Their advice? There is no need to prepare yourself cause there will be no enough preparation one can have for this challenge. Just embrace whatever challenge that is thrown to you and be ready to be pushed to your limit. At the end of the day, sleep is not an option yet it will be worth it.

Puan Nora who spoke during the launch said she is looking forward to see more young talents as a challenger and a future Maybanker. 

With that, the Maybank GO Ahead. Challenge is officially launched! 
(From L-R) Maybank Islamic Berhad CEO, Muzaffar Hisham, Maybank Group Chief Technology Officer, Geoff Stecyk, Group Chief, Human Capital Officer, Nora Abdul Manaf, Maybank Group Chief Risk Officer, Dr John Lee and Maybank Head of Group Talent Sourcing & Development, Chen Fong Tuan.

Do you have what it takes to be a Go Ahead challenger? Go ahead and show them #whatareyoumadeof!

MGAC is open to all final-year students and recent graduates from 14 countries from across the world where Maybank has significant presence. So if you think you're up for a challenge, I would strongly recommend you to join and be a part of this year's Maybank GO Ahead. Challenge! Feel free to drop by http://goaheadchallenge.com/ for more details and be quick, application date period is still open until 14th May 2014.

Wishing all the participants best of luck! And most importantly, have fun :D

xx