How often in life are we bestowed with once in a lifetime opportunities? Opportunities that make you feel as if you’re in a lucid dream of some sort? Lo and behold, that’s just what Maybank presented young and aspiring individuals with. In the form of the Maybank GO Ahead Challenge 2015, a total of over 23,000 applicants took part, and a handful of lucky and talented individuals, 60 to be precise, managed to make it to the Global Finals.
The Maybank GO Ahead Challenge 2015 spanned over 4 months with over 14 participating countries; if that’s not widespread then I don’t know what is. After a long and grueling process of elimination down to the 60 finalists, said individuals were tasked with an array of objectives that tested their mental strengths, teamwork, perseverance, and just about any aspect of being a human that you can think of.
Guests were served with light snacks before the start of the event
On the very last day of the Maybank GO Ahead Challenge 2015 Global Finals, the finalists were split up into 10 teams that were tasked with “selling happiness” to the general public around Bukit Bintang. The teams set up booths with different engaging activities such as testing out virtual reality in the form of the Oculus Rift, blindly taste testing different types of food, and engaging in pillow fights, just to name a few booths. When all’s said and done, the teams were judged based on the amount of money they’ve raised, with all proceeds going to the charity of their choice.
A row of activity booths by the participating teams
Puan Nora Abd Manaf, Group Chief Human Capital Officer of Maybank
Blind taste testing by the general public
To further incentivize participation in the Maybank GO Ahead Challenge (besides the bragging rights, of course), cash prizes are awarded to the top 3 teams, with USD 40,000 for the winning team, USD 20,000 for the first runner-up, and USD 10,000 for the second runner-up. As if that’s not enough, individual finalists were also rewarded with up to USD 1000 and an internship at Maybank offices in places such as New York and London. But hey, money isn’t everything right? Standout challengers were also offered a chance to join the Global Maybank Apprentice Programme, a two-year trainee course that emphasizes on management skills.
Puan Nora with the organising committee of the Maybank GO Ahead Challenge 2015
Screening of a summary video of the journey from the start with 23,000+ participants down to the last 60
At the end of the day, through all the blood, sweat, and tears, only one team can emerge victorious. And that’s exactly what team Star Wars did. Alongside team Terminator and team X-Men, the three teams make up the champions in descending order. Like I said, an opportunity of a lifetime, eh?
Team X-Men walks away with third place
All participating teams
Interested to know more so you can join the Maybank GO Ahead Challenge next year? Then head on over to their website at www.goaheadchallenge.com. And be sure to watch this video of the Global Finals’ highlights. Enjoy!
