Twenty-five MET students will travel to Malaysia to examine the area’s potential as an outsourcing destination - and they are inviting technology start-ups, manufacturing firms and academics to get involved in their project.

The fourth year students will spend eight months planning their overseas research project trip in July 2014 and are keen to make contact with organizations involved in outsourcing activities. Students organize this overseas research project annually to further develop their acumen for business and manufacturing in an international context.

The majority of the trip is funded by businesses external to the university with sponsorship arranged independently by the students (see here).

 “There are several benefits in getting involved, financially or otherwise,” explains Oskar Kelliher, trip leader. “The chance to shape a valuable piece of research for the UK’s start-ups, interaction with some of Cambridge’s most intelligent and entrepreneurial students and publicity for your organization both within the University of Cambridge and in South East Asia.”

Intellectual property poses a particularly significant problem for start-ups looking to outsource to South East Asia. Start-ups have been known to struggle in finding resources to monitor overseas production and foot legal fees if problems arise.

This project will provide a thorough understanding of current manufacturing operations in the area.

To find out more about the trip contact Oskar Kelliher oek21@cam.ac.uk