Introduction
Juara Partners is a Malaysia-based, Shariah-compliant non-bank financial institution (NBFI). It provides consumer financing—primarily to civil servants—through salary-deduction schemes. The company is a Certified B Corporation, emphasizing ethical and sustainable practices. Recently, they are venturing through the fields of AI and Machine Learning. Some of their research includes Voice AI agent, IC OCR, etc.
What is your role and your responsibilities?
My role was Data Science & AI Engineering Intern. During my internship at Juara, I was primarily responsible for conducting in-depth research and acquiring knowledge related to AI-driven projects. My tasks involved thorough research, meticulous planning, and the development of project flows and diagrams. While tasks varied, I often worked independently, making autonomous decisions. My two major projects included developing an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system for Malaysian Identity Cards and a fully functional Large Language Model (LLM) powered WhatsApp chatbot. These were not mere prototypes but real-world, hands-on tasks with potential future impact on the company, emphasizing the importance of careful planning and coordination.
Why did you join Juara Partners?
My decision to join Juara Partners stemmed from a greater interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) than in traditional Data Science. Reviewing job descriptions posted by former Juara interns on LinkedIn, I was particularly impressed by their work on AI voice agents, which solidified my interest in the company. I initiated contact via the email address provided by MMU, and the following day, the Head of the Data Science and AI team at Juara contacted me to arrange an interview.
What did your day-to-day look like?
I maintained flexible working hours, typically arriving at the office between 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM. Subsequently, the Data Science team and I would brief the Head on the previous day’s accomplishments and the current day’s objectives, which were then communicated via our WhatsApp group. I would then commence work on my assigned tasks. Lunch was typically taken around 12:00 PM, and Juara provided complimentary vegetarian lunches daily, offering a valuable benefit for interns. There were two available lunch slots: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM or 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Following lunch, I would resume my work. Should I deem it necessary to provide an update, I would meet with my Head around 4:00 PM to discuss task progress and solicit feedback. My workday concluded around 5:30 PM.
What were the challenges you faced and how’d you overcome them?
I consistently encountered diverse and unique challenges daily. For instance, on one occasion, while working with n8n, I felt compelled to explore methods for hosting it locally to mitigate the costs associated with the cloud version. This endeavor required three consecutive days of focused effort, including weekends, to identify a viable solution. Consequently, the problems encountered are not of a fixed nature but are always pertinent to the task at hand. When faced with difficulties, my initial approach involves independent research online. Subsequently, I consult with my supervisor, and if a solution remains elusive, the Data Science team convenes for a brainstorming session to collectively devise a resolution. This process has consistently proven effective.
How did you prepare for the interview?
Regarding the interview, I would like to offer a tip for pupils seeking an internship. For instance, if you are pursuing a Data Science internship, endeavor to undertake projects based on Data Science, encompassing data collection, cleaning, utilization, application of machine learning models, and drawing conclusions. This is because companies typically assess a candidate’s capabilities when considering internships; they are not inclined to simply employ someone and entrust them with confidential company data. I prepared myself with simple machine learning and data science projects, and the interview was conducted online, which allowed me to make a favorable impression. I maintained confidence throughout the interview and adopted a friendly demeanor. Furthermore, I posed questions at the conclusion of the interview to demonstrate my genuine interest.
What was your greatest achievement in Juara Partners?
My most significant achievement has been earning the trust of the organization to develop a fully functional WhatsApp Chatbot for their FAQ and customer service. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as they entrusted an ordinary intern with a project of such magnitude, one capable of significantly transforming the company’s operational efficiency and productivity. In addition to the WhatsApp chatbot, I also developed a Next.js agent console, enabling customer service agents to monitor all chats and respond to customers directly from this interface. I take great pride in having developed both solutions independently from scratch, utilising a variety of tools and integrating multiple APIs, including N8N, META, and Pinecone.
Were there any fun events or social activities at Juara Partners?
The company organizes monthly sports activities, including badminton and pickleball. Additionally, every Friday is designated as a free drinks day, allowing employees to order their preferred beverages at the company’s expense. I have personally experienced a variety of options, from Starbucks to Zus. These two benefits are offered to interns, and Mondays are observed as a work-from-home day.
Would you recommend Juara Partners to your juniors or batch mates?
I highly recommend Juara Partners to anyone seeking to significantly enhance their knowledge in the Data Science and AI fields. Furthermore, for individuals like myself who are interested in emerging AI technologies and exploratory tasks, Juara Partners is an ideal environment. Employees often discover their full potential at Juara Partners due to the opportunities for innovation and trying new approaches. The workplace culture is notably relaxed, eliminating the need for formal attire and fostering an environment where interns are treated as valued team members rather than temporary staff. It is an excellent place for individuals to cultivate growth, learn from their experiences, and unlock their potential and passion within the AI/ML domain. Additionally, the compensation provided is competitive; while I cannot disclose the exact figures, the range is typically between RM 1,000 and RM 1,500, which is more than sufficient.
Anything else you’d like to add?
If you would like to mention my name, please refer to me as Bruce at Juara Partners, as that is how I am known there.
An Image of my workstation at Juara Partners
Nareen together with his colleagues and team head(leftmost) at Juara Partners
Email: nareenthiran5@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +016-7459771
IG: @nareen_thiran
IT Society MMU Cyberjaya 
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