Few would expect Turkmenistan, a country better known for its natural gas reserves and cotton fields, to emerge as a player in the global automotive supply chain. Yet that’s what’s happening. The country’s automotive sector is experiencing rapid growth, projections of a 13% annual increase to reach US$233 million by 2028.
Behind this surge is a new generation of entrepreneurs like Kakajan Babayev, a graduate of Management and Science University (MSU) in Malaysia. He’s determined to turn potential into progress.
After earning his Bachelor’s in International Business from MSU in 2016, Babayev returned to Turkmenistan to grow his family business — ultimately transforming it into Autogunt, a thriving auto parts brand based in the Mary region that now exports to China, Japan, and Malaysia.
Babayev credits his success to the global exposure he received at MSU. “The reason why I chose MSU was mainly because of its unique international student network, which provides advantages for international students to embark on business development opportunities post-graduation,” he says.
Management and Science University was named Malaysia’s Most Entrepreneurial Private University in 2016 by the Ministry of Education. Source: Management and Science University
This blend of learning and doing is what sets MSU apart. Backed by international recognition — including a Platinum 5 Crowns rating from the UK’s ASIC and QS 5-Star accolades for teaching, employability, and social responsibility — MSU ranks among the QS World Top 100 universities under 50 years old.
And those rankings are backed by results. With a 99% graduate success rate, MSU ensures students are equipped to thrive in their careers. Partnerships with over 2,000 industry players provide students with internships, collaborative projects, and hands-on learning from as early as their first year.
This approach is effective, with graduates going on to land roles in many sectors, including Business and Engineering, Health Sciences, Creative Arts, Education, and Medicine. Combined with a student body from over 65 countries, MSU offers a globally connected, inclusive campus environment that reflects the modern workforce and cultivates future leaders like Babayev.
At MSU, entrepreneurship is a module as much as it’s a mindset. In 2019, the university became the first in Asia to receive international recognition as an entrepreneurial and engaged institution from the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU), based in the Netherlands.
That recognition didn’t come by chance. Entrepreneurship is embedded into the MS curriculum. The belief is simple: exposing students to entrepreneurship early helps them develop leadership, negotiation, and communication skills essential in today’s world. It also shows them opportunities that others may not, and that mindset is precisely what the world needs in an era of rapidly changing job markets.
Ahmad Jumli Ahmad Khairi is another MSU graduate who’s carried this outlook into the real world. Coming from a family of petrol station managers, he chose to follow in their footsteps. He began his journey at MSU in 2010 with a Diploma in Management at the Faculty of Business Management and Professional Studies. The courses gave him practical knowledge in accounting, economics, and human resources, all of which were essential when launching and managing Agent Hikmat Enterprise.
Khairi credits his lecturers and academic training for shaping his confidence. The structured yet flexible learning environment gave him space to explore challenges and build resilience, traits that every entrepreneur needs.
Management and Science University believes early exposure to entrepreneurship builds interpersonal, leadership, and negotiation skills essential for producing well-rounded graduates. Source: Management and Science University
Like Khairi and Babayev, Nurfarisha Syamin Binti Roslan found her entrepreneurial calling at MSU. A student in the School of Hospitality and Creative Arts, she pursued a degree in Event Management. But it was a casual coffee-hunting trip with her husband that sparked something more. “We both love coffee, and after trying different shops, we thought — why not open our own?” she says.
This led to the birth of Kisah Kopi Kami in October 2023. What started as a shared interest evolved into a business idea, fuelled by the confidence Roslan developed on campus. “Interacting with different people helped me develop formal communication skills, which is crucial in business,” she says.
To support would-be entrepreneurs, MSU launched the Jumpstart initiative through its Leadership & Entrepreneurship Advancement Institute (LEAD). Jumpstart funds, supports, and mentors student entrepreneurs, helping them turn prototypes into real businesses.
Another way Entrepreneurship at MSU helps students is through removing isolation. Today, many students prefer working alone. But real business is built on collaboration. Running a company means engaging with others, sharing ideas, solving problems together, and trusting your team to work effectively. MSU pushes students out of their comfort zones and into real-world scenarios where teamwork is not optional but essential.
This culture of encouragement is sets MSU apart. It’s a university where students are trained for jobs and trained to create them. And in a world constantly shifting, that approach can make all the difference.
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