Children and young adults learned to bake chocolate cupcakes, calculate ingredient costs and promote their treats online during INTI’s Cook & Care workshop at Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Vivekananda in Rembau on 6 September.
Participants display their freshly baked cupcakes with Faculty of Business and Communication lecturers Klara Arokiyasamy, Dr Shamala Krishnan, Kiranjeet Kaur Jesbier Singh and Dihlvinder Kaur Mohkam Singh.
The session introduced participants to baking in a supportive environment, encouraging them to explore their creativity while learning skills that could provide a starting point for future business ideas.
Co-organised by INTI and Toshiba, Cook & Care forms part of INTI’s January 2026 Employer Project, led by Klara Arokiyasamy from INTI International University’s Faculty of Business and Communication. The cupcake workshop was the first of four sessions covering different baked products and the business basics involved in preparing them for sale.
“The purpose of ‘Cook & Care’ is not simply making cakes. We aim to equip the participants with basic skills to support self-sufficiency through a small-scale baking business,” Klara said.
During the workshop, INTI lecturers guided participants through preparing chocolate cupcakes and decorating their finished creations. The activities gave them opportunities to test ideas and build their baking skills.
A basic costing lesson connected the kitchen activities with decisions involved in selling a product. Participants learned to calculate ingredient costs and account for other expenses when setting prices. They also learned the basics of promoting their treats online.
Participants learn baking, decorating, basic costing and online promotion during INTI’s Cook & Care cupcake workshop.
INTI Leo Club volunteers provided additional guidance and encouragement throughout the activities, while INTIMA also supported the event through student volunteers.
The remaining workshops cover muffins, tarts and cakes. Four INTI lecturers lead baking instruction, basic costing, and ingredient sourcing across the programme.
Toshiba donated an oven for the home and supports all four workshops, including games and activities for the younger children. The donated equipment gives participants a resource they can continue using as they develop their skills.
The event brought together 65 attendees from INTI, Toshiba, Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Vivekananda and Persatuan Kebajikan Anak-anak Negeri Sembilan.
During the baking workshop, Toshiba representatives kept the other children engaged with games such as Simon Says, Passing the Rubber Band, Batu Seremban, and Ceper. The team also brought everyday household provisions and provided a KFC lunch.
For Wong Jing Yi, a Semester 8 Bachelor of Business (Honours) International Business student who volunteered at the workshop, the experience was an opportunity to contribute while spending time with the children.
“I wanted to make a positive impact, even if it was a small one. Through the baking session and the time spent together, I hoped we could bring genuine joy and warmth to the children,” she shared.
Younger children join games led by Toshiba representatives, including Simon Says, Passing the Rubber Band, Batu Seremban and Ceper, while the baking workshop takes place.
INTI Leo Club President Goh Ching Yi, who studies the same programme, highlighted the value of giving participants practical knowledge they could use after the workshops.
“If we can equip people with useful skills and knowledge, they may be able to use those skills to create opportunities for themselves and contribute to their families,” Goh said.