Digital Technology to Attract Generation Z to Student Cooperatives

Student cooperatives in Malaysia need to embrace digital technology to stay relevant and attract the younger Generation Z, according to Datuk Seri Dr. Abdul Fattah Abdullah, president of the National Cooperative Movement of Malaysia Berhad (Angkasa).

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This generation no longer buys much physically. They are more comfortable buying online. So, student cooperatives must also change according to their ways and needs.

Abdullah stated that the adoption of digital tools such as e-commerce, e-wallets, and QR code payments will enable student cooperatives to develop business models that resonate with the current lifestyle of university students. He emphasized that Generation Z prefers online transactions over conventional methods, making it imperative for student cooperatives to move beyond purely physical operations. "This generation no longer buys much physically. They are more comfortable buying online. So, student cooperatives must also change according to their ways and needs," he said.

The Angkasa president highlighted that student cooperatives possess a distinct advantage due to their membership, which largely consists of young individuals already accustomed to using technology in their daily lives. This makes them the ideal platform to pioneer the digital transformation of the wider cooperative movement. "If we want to change cooperatives that have been operating for a long time, the challenge is quite big because they are used to the old ways. That is why student cooperatives are the most suitable platform to be pioneers of the digital transformation of the cooperative movement," he explained.

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If we want to change cooperatives that have been operating for a long time, the challenge is quite big because they are used to the old ways. That is why student cooperatives are the most suitable platform to be pioneers of the digital transformation of the cooperative movement.

Furthermore, Abdullah noted that digital transformation could expand the market reach of student cooperatives beyond campus boundaries, facilitating easier buying and selling processes. He envisions students developing online businesses aligned with current trends, becoming not just technology users but also creators of business opportunities through cooperatives. This strategic collaboration with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) aims to strengthen student cooperatives through initiatives like rebranding, fostering entrepreneurship, cooperative knowledge, and identity development, preparing students to be future leaders of the cooperative movement.

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We want student cooperatives to be a platform for students to learn entrepreneurship, cooperative knowledge, and form cooperative identity. When they graduate, they can become leaders or drivers of the new generation of cooperatives.