 Kuala Lumpur, August 11th: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) introduces the Executive Diploma in Retail Business Management and Technology to enhance the image of retail sector and to prepare modern retail entrepreneurs who would be able to compete in international market.
UTM’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Zaini Ujang said that the university planned to produce 600 graduates in the next five years.
He further explained that approach to successfully implement this Programme is through the appointment of ‘Industrial Partners’ who would provide study grants and training facilities. Two retail companies have agreed to finance course fee. I-Gate Sdn. Bhd. had raised RM7.2 million and another R2 Mmillion was raised by Mobile de Ring to be offered to qualified candidates.
A number of major retail companies had also agreed to provide training facilities to students: CSL Manufacturing, Nelson’s Franchise, AEON Credit, 7-Eleven, Osim, Sinma, I-Gate, Mobile De Ring, Olympus, DKSH Marketing and Senheng Electric (KL).
The programme was launched on August 11th, at the UTM International Campus, Kuala Lumpur and is the outcome of collaboration between BATC-UTM and BTC Academy. This programme has been endorsed by the Malaysian Retail Chains Association (MRCA) which had assisted in designing the curriculum for the programme to produce quality graduates much needed by the Malaysian retail industry.
The programme was offered in response to the government initiative to improve human capital utilizing the concept of life-long learning. The programme provides candidates with competencies and skills in sales based on modern technology. It is offered to supervisors and sale executives to local retail industry with the aim of encouraging more young entrepreneurs to venture into retail business management and technology.
Those enrolled into the programme would receive RM800 monthly allowance for the duration of two to three years of their studies. They would also have the opportunity to be granted capital assistance and to participate in franchise business, especially among Bumiputra candidates to benefit from various entrepreneurial schemes offered by MARA, Perbadanan Modal Berhad (PNS) and the Ministry of Human Resource
Each programme participant would be attached to participating company of their choice to share practical experience during weekdays and to attend classes during weekends.
Through this programme, the graduates are expected to become entrepreneurs who are innovative and responsive to the technological development adopted in the retail business.
The programme is capable of producing retail supervisors and sale executives who are creative and posses critical thinking abilities as well as able to communicate effectively especially when handling local customers and foreign tourist. The positive impact from this programme would spill over to the Malaysian tourism industry. |
