News and photo Sanaa Mohammed Said Al-rabeei
RAWANG, 6 January 2026: AIESEC in Kedah-Perlis, in strategic partnership with MONIN Asia, successfully organised a high-impact Food and Beverage (F&B) Industry Immersion Site Visit at MONIN Asia’s manufacturing facility in Rawang. The programme brought together 30 student delegates from diverse academic disciplines at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) for an intensive day of technical exposure, corporate mentorship, and industrial insight.
This initiative was specifically designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and the fast-evolving realities of the food and beverage sector. It focused on operational excellence, brand innovation, and leadership within a global corporate environment.
The programme commenced with a warm welcome and an insightful corporate keynote by Ms. Paige Tan Pei Jue, Brand Marketing Manager of MONIN Asia-Pacific. Ms. Paige provided a comprehensive overview of MONIN’s heritage and strategic growth within the Asian market, offering delegates an in-depth understanding of the brand’s evolution as a global leader in premium beverage solutions. Her presentation also shed light on the meticulous syrup creation process that underpins MONIN’s commitment to quality and innovation. The session concluded with a mandatory safety briefing to ensure a secure and professional transition to the production floor.
Following the opening session, delegates participated in a networking lunch facilitated by Mr. Christopher Chong Fu, Marketing Beverage Innovation Executive. This segment created an informal yet purposeful setting for engagement, allowing delegates to interact directly with industry professionals. The exchanges proved invaluable, as delegates gained insights into career pathways, emerging market trends, and the realities of working within a global F&B organisation, while forging meaningful professional connections with both peers and the MONIN team.
The programme then progressed to a technical immersion through an exclusive factory tour, where delegates observed the intricacies of syrup manufacturing firsthand. This behind-the-scenes experience highlighted the sophisticated interplay between large-scale operations, precision engineering, and stringent quality assurance systems. Participants gained rare exposure to how a global brand sustains product consistency, efficiency, and excellence across high-volume production.
In the afternoon, delegates attended a high-level management sharing session led by Mr. Wong Zhou Chen, Head of Marketing and Communications at MONIN Asia-Pacific. Mr. Wong delivered a compelling discourse on organisational culture, emphasising the integration of MONIN’s mission and vision into its daily operations. Beyond corporate strategy, he shared his personal career reflections and leadership insights, underscoring the importance of adaptability, resilience and strategic thinking in navigating the complexities of the global F&B landscape.
The immersion concluded with a dynamic interactive Tasting and Co-creation Session, also facilitated by Mr. Christopher Chong Fu. During the hands-on workshop, students transitioned from observers to creators, acquiring foundational mixology skills such as layering, shaking, blending, stirring, and straining. By crafting and sampling five distinct beverages, delegates gained practical exposure to flavour profiling, sensory innovation, and creative experimentation, bridging the day to a close on a vibrant and experiential note.
Overall, the site visit served as a powerful catalyst for professional and personal growth, offering UUM delegates a holistic understanding of the F&B ecosystem. By seamlessly combining technical knowledge with executive mentorship and experiential learning, AIESEC in Kedah-Perlis and MONIN Asia successfully empowered students with the insights, confidence, and practical competence required to thrive in an increasingly globalised workforce.
