BANGI, 26 July 2026 – Third-year student of the Faculty of Educational Studies (FPP), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Lailatul Akmal Awiss Juharin, made history by not only receiving the Putra Entrepreneur Award, but also being crowned the UPM Student Icon 2026, the highest honour presented at the Universiti Putra Malaysia Vice-Chancellor’s Awards (ANC) 2026, held last night at Hotel Tenera, Bangi, Selangor.

Akmal, who is also a resident of Kolej Tun Dr Ismail (KTDI), UPM, outperformed 13 recipients from various award clusters before being announced as the recipient of the UPM Student Icon Award 2026, marking an extraordinary achievement as one of the university’s most outstanding student leaders.

The Putra Entrepreneur Award recognises students who demonstrate excellence in planning, managing and implementing high-impact entrepreneurial programmes, while successfully developing businesses that benefit the university community, society and the national economy.

Meanwhile, the UPM Student Icon Award is the university’s highest recognition for students who excel in leadership, academic achievement, character development and contributions to society at the university, national and international levels.

As the founder of Warung Yamal, Akmal has demonstrated that student entrepreneurship is not merely about generating profit, but also about creating employment opportunities, empowering fellow students and contributing to the well-being of the community.

In his heartfelt acceptance speech, Akmal described the recognition as a responsibility that he would carry with humility and dedication.

“Tonight, I do not see this award as the end of a journey, but as a responsibility entrusted to me.”

He also shared a personal story that became the turning point in his entrepreneurial journey.

According to Akmal, there was a time when he went to UPM’s Student Affairs Division to apply for emergency financial assistance and received RM300.

“The amount may have been small, but the hope it gave me was immense.”

He said that the experience became the catalyst that inspired him to persevere until he was able to transform his own life.

“Today, by the grace of Allah SWT, I stand on this stage no longer as someone receiving assistance, but as an entrepreneur striving to help other students.”

Akmal explained that Warung Yamal began as a small campus food stall. Today, more than 50 students have been part of the enterprise, and the initiative has benefited more than 20,000 UPM students.

According to him, true success is not measured by changing one’s own life, but by becoming the reason someone else’s life changes for the better.

He also encouraged fellow students never to be afraid of starting small.

“Never be afraid to begin simply because your starting point is small. Allah does not judge where we begin, but rather our determination to keep striving.”

In an emotional moment, Akmal dedicated the award to his parents.

“Mother… Father… The child who once returned home carrying only dreams now returns home carrying proof.”

He expressed his hope that the achievement would be a meaningful gift in return for his parents’ sacrifices and prayers, and the beginning of an even greater journey of serving others.

CEM Proud to Nurture an Entrepreneurial Student Icon

Meanwhile, the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development and Graduate Marketability (CEM UPM), Associate Professor Dr Hizmawati Madzin, described Akmal’s success as clear evidence that entrepreneurship development can produce holistic and high-impact student leaders.

She said that Akmal is one of CEM’s entrepreneurship mentees who has demonstrated remarkable growth through continuous guidance, unwavering commitment to learning, leadership and a genuine desire to give back to society.

“Akmal exemplifies how entrepreneurship is not merely about building a business. It is about developing character, leadership, resilience and the ability to solve real-world problems. He embraced every opportunity with dedication, ultimately earning the distinction of becoming UPM Student Icon.”

She added that CEM not only provides entrepreneurship training, but also adopts a comprehensive approach through coaching, mentoring and experiential learning to develop students with strong initiative, innovative thinking and the ability to create employment opportunities.

“We believe future graduates must possess entrepreneurial attributes regardless of their field of study. Today’s industries require graduates who are proactive, creative, willing to take calculated risks and capable of leading change. Akmal is a true reflection of that aspiration.”

Associate Professor Dr Hizmawati also expressed her hope that Akmal’s achievement would inspire more UPM students to pursue entrepreneurship as a platform for building successful careers, addressing societal challenges and creating sustainable impact.

Akmal’s remarkable accomplishment as the recipient of both the Putra Entrepreneur Award and the UPM Student Icon Award 2026 reflects Universiti Putra Malaysia’s commitment to producing holistic graduates who excel not only academically but also in leadership, character, entrepreneurship and community engagement, in line with the university’s aspiration to develop future leaders who are globally competitive and capable of making a meaningful impact on society.
(CEM UPM).

Date of Input: 28/07/2026 | Updated: 28/07/2026 | sarahshammaddin