UUM SIGNS MoU WITH FIVE INDUSTRY MENTORS

UUM ONLINE: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with five companies to collaborate in upholding the entrepreneurial agenda at UUM. The signing ceremony took place at the Vice-Chancellor's Meeting Room, yesterday afternoon.

Jelitasara Corporate Sdn. Bhd., Kasyaf Bina Sdn. Bhd., Aulad Pintar Education Sdn. Bhd., Ambang Dorongan Sdn. Bhd. and OS Startup Sdn. Bhd. are amongst the companies involved.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr. Haim Hilman Abdullah, who is performing the duties of Vice-Chancellor said, the MoU involved collaboration with companies that will serve as industry mentors of the Bachelor of Entrepreneurship Programme (BENT MOD) 2u2i.

According to him, the sealing of the MoU was the first for UUM as well as industry partners. As a result, he expressed hope that the mentors and the university will communicate, because the university will ensure that students who participate in the programme can demonstrate a strong commitment to changing their future.

He said that, with extensive industry experience, he was confident that the mentors could help lead the students to get up and move forward boldly by venturing into the field of entrepreneurship.

"I hope that the industry mentors can also assist UUM in preparing these students for the workplace. Instil your knowledge and experience in these students so that they will one day be a source of pride not only for the university but also for the mentors.

"Let’s work together regardless of race and religion, continue to help and guide earnestly. I hope and believe many companies will band together to build a better country," he said.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Salniza Md. Salleh, the Dean of the School of Business Management, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to all business owners who accepted UUM's offer to be industry mentors to selected students.

"Since the programme's inception in 2019, a total of 11 first cohort students have been chosen to follow BENT 2u2i, and the university hopes the programme will produce many entrepreneurs who create job opportunities for others rather than job seekers.

"Hopefully, this industry mentor will be able to share his experience and business knowledge with the students involved, ensuring that UUM can produce skilled graduates who can succeed with the industry's cooperation," she said.

Director of Kasyaf Bina Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Zamani Mohamad expressed his gratitude and excitement at the opportunity to collaborate with UUM on the 2u2i programme for student placement in the industry for a two-year period.

According to him, the seriousness of UUM has prompted him to educate the two UUM students involved in order to become a successful entrepreneur in the future.

2u2i is a job-based learning programme that provides students with industry exposure throughout their studies, with students spending two (2) years in university focusing on theoretical aspects and two (2) years in industry gaining direct learning experience.

Through academic and industry collaboration and a ‘work-based learning’ delivery approach, the programme aims to foster entrepreneurial spirit.