News and photos Raymond Bong Ik Lung
SINTOK, 5 January 2026: AIESEC in Kedah-Perlis successfully organised Brewing Leaders of Tomorrow with MONIN, a full-day programme that delivered experiential learning, industry exposure, and collaborative engagement for student delegates and key stakeholders.
Organised under the Engage with AIESEC (EwA) Department, the programme brought together 40 participants at DKG 10/3, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) for a dynamic and immersive learning experience. The programme featured a well-curated blend of plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and structured networking opportunities with a strong emphasis on hands-on beverage brewing activities and industry-driven knowledge sharing. Designed to transcend conventional talk-based formats, the programme adopted innovative and participatory approaches that enhanced engagement while ensuring seamless on-site operations, and fostered a welcoming learning environment.
The event started with welcoming remarks delivered by the AIESEC in Kedah-Perlis Club Advisors, Dr. Low Kah Choon from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), and Ts. Dr. Hoo Peng Yong from Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), setting a professional and forward-looking tone for the day. This was followed by an industry address by Mr. Buven, Brand Executive of MONIN Asia-Pacific, who shared insights into the brand’s vision, market positioning, and perspectives on the evolving beverage industry.
A key milestone of the event was the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony, which formalised the collaboration between AIESEC in Kedah-Perlis and MONIN Asia-Pacific. The ceremony involved Mr. Eason Chiew Yih Shin, Head of the Engage with AIESEC (EwA) Department, Dr. Low Kah Choon, Mr. Buven and, Ms. Paige Tan Pei Jue, Brand Marketing Manager of MONIN Asia-Pacific, marking a significant step forward in strengthening industry-student partnerships.
Delegates were then introduced to an engaging ice-breaking activity, where they were divided into groups and invited to participate in a tasting session to identify various syrups prepared by MONIN. This interactive exercise fostered teamwork while familiarising participants with MONIN’s distinctive flavour profiles, creating a relaxed yet intellectually stimulating atmosphere. Adding further excitement, MONIN showcased one of its latest product launches, the Ume Plum syrup, offering delegates an exclusive tasting experience. The session was complemented by an industry insight presentation by Ms. Paige Tan Pei Jue, who highlighted MONIN’s growth trajectory, strategic expansion within the Asian market, and the intricacies of its syrup creation process.
One of the event’s highlights was the networking lunch session, which provided delegates with the opportunity to engage with industry panellists and peers. This segment fostered meaningful connections, facilitated knowledge exchange, and reinforced a sense of professional camaraderie in a relaxed setting.
The main highlight of the programme was the Co-Creation Space, led by Mr.Christopher Chong Fu, Marketing Beverage Innovation Executive of MONIN. During this highly engaging session, delegates were immersed in the art and science of beverage innovation through hands-on creation activities. A total of five beverage varieties were developed, encompassing soda-based, coffee-based, and milk-based drinks, each infused with inventive flavour combinations. Participants actively engaged in the preparation and tasting process, gaining practical exposure to mixology techniques. Complementing the experiential component, Mr. Christopher also shared theoretical insights into beverage formulation and innovation, offering a well-rounded understanding that bridged practical application and conceptual knowledge.
Following the workshop, delegates reflected on their experiences and key takeaways, noting that the session extended well beyond conventional teamwork exercises by providing an immersive introduction to beverage mixology and innovation. The hands-on and intellectually enriching nature of the workshop enabled participants to develop a deeper appreciation of creative problem-solving and applied learning. AIESEC in Kedah–Perlis also expressed its appreciation to the Journalism Club of Universiti Utara Malaysia for its support as an official media partner of the programme.
To conclude the programme, MONIN Asia Kuala Lumpur presented tokens of appreciation to all delegates, including syrups, stickers, reusable wooden straws, and mug coasters, in recognition of their active participation and enthusiasm throughout the event.
Overall, the programme effectively fostered leadership development by immersing participants in experiential learning that emphasised teamwork, innovation, and active engagement. Through hands-on beverage creation, industry exposure, and collaborative sessions, delegates were encouraged to step beyond their comfort zones, enhance communication skills, and cultivate critical thinking abilities.
