From Classroom to Smart Factory: School of Business Students Explore Ajinomoto’s Operations
MGW3381 students and Department of Management staff celebrate a rewarding experiential learning visit with Mr Bay at Ajinomoto Malaysia’s Smart and Eco-Friendly Factory.
On 13 August 2026, 21 students and staff from the Department of Management visited the Ajinomoto Smart and Eco-Friendly Factory in Bandar Enstek, Negeri Sembilan, as part of MGW3381 Management Information Systems (MIS), led by Professor Teh Pei Lee.
The experiential learning visit gave students an opportunity to move beyond classroom discussions and examine how information systems, automation, data and business processes come together in a modern manufacturing organisation.
The Monash delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Norazmi Mohamad and Mr. Bay Toh, who introduced Ajinomoto (Malaysia) Berhad (AMB)’s business operations, corporate development and Ajinomoto Creating Shared Value approach. Students gained insights into how the organisation connects business growth with health, responsible production and environmental sustainability.
Mr Bay introduces MGW3381 students to Ajinomoto Malaysia’s shared-value approach, health priorities and environmental sustainability initiatives.
A key highlight was the walkthrough of AMB’s Production 2 facility, where students observed automated machinery, standardised processes and human oversight supporting large-scale production and packaging. The experience helped students connect classroom concepts such as production planning, inventory control, quality assurance, maintenance and logistics with their real-world applications.
Students also explored AMB’s Halal practices and quality controls, gaining an appreciation of how accurate information, traceable processes and effective governance contribute to quality assurance and stakeholder confidence.
Students experience the Smart Salt concept during the chicken soup and product tasting session, connecting MSG education with healthier product innovation.
The visit further highlighted the role of information systems in sustainable supply chain management. Students learned about responsible sourcing, supplier engagement, eco-friendly packaging, logistics and waste management, including AMB’s application of the 4R principles: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover.
The programme also introduced students to Ajinomoto’s Smart Salt concept, followed by a chicken soup and product tasting session. The experience demonstrated how product knowledge, health communication and customer education can contribute to an organisation’s broader value proposition.
Exploring the customer end of the value chain at Aji Mart, where product information, branding, retail presentation and customer engagement come together.
Concluding at Aji Mart, students explored AMB’s product portfolio and saw how manufacturing operations connect with retail, marketing and customer engagement.
By bringing students into a working smart factory, the visit demonstrated the value of experiential learning in MIS and helped them develop a deeper understanding of how people, processes, technology and data work together to create value in a modern organisation.