by Anne Das
IPOH, Quest International University (QIU) has inked twin MoUs with industry leaders to partner on its Certificates of Competency in hospitality and pharmacy. These partnerships will foremost benefit school leavers who choose to join the workforce right after SPM.
Signed with HTM Pharmacy and DoubleTree by Hilton Damai Laut Resort, the MoUs set the stage for broad-based co-operation in securing the economic future of Perak and reducing youth employment across the nation.
The MoU signing ceremonies were held in succession on July 28 at QIU’s Ipoh campus. Present at the occasion were the Datuk Bandar of Majlis Bandaraya Ipoh, Dato Rumaizi Bin Baharin – who also officiated the event – and Mr Nicholas Goh, CEO of Global Integrated Training Associates Sdn Bhd – QIU’s parent company.
In attendance also were representatives from HTM, DoubleTree, and the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry – which is collaborating with QIU to help the university stay abreast of the demands and skill gaps in the industry.
While the scope of these MoUs covers all the talented youth of Perak, they are strategically designed to empower students who opt for a skill-based career pathway.
QIU aims to harness the raw talent and drive of youths who may otherwise lack the right qualifications by teaching them the in-demand skills they need to enter professions of their choice after completing their Certificates of Competency.
These certificates have been developed in close collaboration with QIU’s corporate partners. What sets them apart from the competition are their competency-based assessments: students undergo training until they achieve the level of fluency required to excel at their jobs.
At QIU, not only will they be trained by expert academics and seasoned industry practitioners, but HTM and Doubletree are also offering conditional placement to graduates of these certificate programmes.
QIU’s support will continue even after graduation. The university will both apprise the graduates of all employment terms and conditions before they accept a job offer, and afterwards monitor their well-being in the workplace regularly.
Another key feature of these partnerships is financial ease. Students will not find themselves burdened with tuition costs as they will only pay a nominal commitment fee, which too will be refunded to them once they successfully complete their studies. The same goes for their employers, as programme fees are claimable from the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRDCorp).
In his welcome address, Mr. Goh highlighted that QIU has consistently taken initiatives to address socioeconomic challenges that are often overlooked by others
“We and our partners have resolved to leave no student behind. It is ironic that many industries in Malaysia express a shortage of skilled personnel, and yet so many of our citizens cannot find meaningful employment.
We aim to help bridge this gap by equipping our school-leaving youth with the right skill sets to succeed in the job market. This is a win-win situation for everyone.”
Further information can be obtained at www.qiu.edu.my
