ALUMNI CEMERLANG KATEGORI KEUSAHAWANAN
AERMA NOORSHARINA BINTI RAJAB atau lebih mesra dengan panggilan Aerma merupakan Alumni bagi program Ijazah Sarjana Muda Pengurusan Hospitaliti (kepujian), yang ditawarkan di Fakulti Pengurusan Hospitaliti dan Pelancongan. Mula melanjutkan pengajian pada tahun 2014 dan bergraduasi pada tahun 2018 dengan keputusan akhir yang memberangsangkan. Menimba sedikit pengalaman setelah menamatkan pengajian di KUIM (kini UNIMEL), beliau pernah menjadi sukarelawan di sebuah Pusat Jagaan Anak-anak Yatim di sekitar Senawang, Negeri Sembilan dan menjadi guru sementara sebelum ke Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
Mengimbau semula perjalanan sepanjang bergelar pelajar, beliau memilih program tersebut atas sebab minat yang tinggi terhadap ilmu hospitaliti yang dilihat mampu memberikan nafas baru di dalam usaha beliau meningkatkan lagi kemahiran dan pengetahuan duniawi. Pernah dinobatkan sebagai Mahasiswi Terbaik Fakulti sewaktu orientasi dan juga memegang jawatan sebagai Exco Keusahawanan bagi persatuan fakulti. Selain aktif di kampus, beliau juga menjalinkan hubungan yang baik dengan para pensyarah dan rakan-rakan sekampus. Suasana kerohanian yang ditonjolkan di KUIM (kini UNIMEL) seperti lokasi yang tenang berhampiran dengan pantai, batas pergaulan antara lelaki dan perempuan yang dipantau rapi, kesopanan dalam berpakaian dan kemudahan lengkap yang disediakan sedikit sebanyak menjadi penyuntik semangat kepada beliau untuk terus gigih menghadapi segala cabaran dan dugaan dalam usaha menggenggam segulung ijazah selama 4 tahun pengajian.
Berkat kesabaran dan penat lelah dalam mengharungi liku hidup, Aerma kini telah pun bergelar Pengasas kepada Nostalgia Popsicle dibawah Syarikat ANR SERENA ENT., iaitu sebuah syarikat bumiputera yang berjaya mengkomersialkan produk aiskrim Malaysia dengan pengiktirafan HALAL dan dalam usaha untuk mendapatkan penarafan daripada MESTI serta mempunyai sebuah kilang pemprosesan aiskrim yang terletak di Chengkau, Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. Berkongsi titik mula idea untuk mengusahakan aiskrim Malaysia adalah ketika beliau berada di semester 6, bagi subjek Entrepreneurship in Hospitality Industry yang memerlukan Aerma dan rakan-rakan untuk mempraktikkan ilmu teori kepada penjualan produk. Berbekalkan pengalaman yang saya peroleh semasa projek ini dijalankan, beliau meneruskan semula legasi Nostalgia Popsicle. Beliau mula memuat naik gambar aiskrim Malaysia di media sosial dan mendapat sambutan yang sangat menggalakkan. Bermula dengan modal RM30, sehinggalah ke hari ini produk Aiskrim Malaysia beliau semakin mendapat tempat di hati para penggemar aiskrim.
Di akhir kalam, Aerma menitipkan pesanan kepada para pelajar UNIMEL dan bakal pelajar agar membuat persediaan awal sebelum memilih program pengajian yang diminati, saling menghormati ibu bapa dan tenaga pengajar kerana keberkatan ilmu yang diperoleh adalah dari keredhaan mereka semua. Tidak dilupakan, panjatkan setinggi-tinggi kesyukuran pada yang Maha Esa atas ruang dan peluang yang diperoleh ketika berada di menara gading. Kerana bukan semua orang di dunia ini mempunyai kesempatan untuk bergelar mahasiswa dan mahasiswi.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA– ENTREPRENEURSHIP CATEGORY
Aerma Noorsharina binti Rajab, fondly known as Aerma, is an alumna of the Bachelor of Hospitality Management (Hons) programme offered by the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management. She began her studies in 2014 and graduated in 2018 with commendable academic results. After completing her studies at KUIM (now UNIMEL), she gained some experience by volunteering at an orphanage in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan, and later worked as a temporary teacher before relocating to Kuala Kangsar, Perak.
Reflecting on her journey as a student, she chose the programme due to her strong interest in the field of hospitality, which she believed could provide new opportunities to enhance her skills and practical knowledge. She was once recognised as the Faculty’s Best Student during orientation and also held the position of Executive Committee Member (Entrepreneurship) of the faculty association. In addition to being active on campus, she maintained good relationships with lecturers and fellow students. The spiritual environment fostered at KUIM (now UNIMEL)—such as its serene location near the beach, well-regulated interactions between male and female students, modest dress practices, and comprehensive facilities—served as a source of motivation for her to persevere through the challenges of completing her four-year degree.
Through perseverance and hard work in overcoming life’s challenges, Aerma has since become the Founder of Nostalgia Popsicle under ANR SERENA ENT., a Bumiputera company that has successfully commercialised Malaysian ice pops with HALAL certification and is in the process of obtaining MESTI recognition. The company operates an ice cream processing facility located in Chengkau, Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. She shared that the initial idea to venture into Malaysian ice pops began during her sixth semester through the course Entrepreneurship in Hospitality Industry, which required her and her peers to apply theoretical knowledge in real product sales. Drawing from the experience gained during this project, she revived the Nostalgia Popsicle brand. She began by uploading photos of her products on social media, which received an overwhelmingly positive response. Starting with a modest capital of RM30, her Malaysian ice pops have since gained increasing popularity among ice cream enthusiasts.
In closing, Aerma advises current and prospective students of UNIMEL to make early preparations when selecting their field of study, and to always respect their parents and lecturers, as the blessings of knowledge stem from their blessings and approval. She also emphasises the importance of expressing gratitude to the Almighty for the opportunities granted during one’s time in higher education, as not everyone is fortunate enough to experience life as a university student.
