A landmark education deal...

The Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) and UCSI University today inked a landmark agreement on Higher Education Fund and Co-operatives Placement that will provide the opportunity for further studies and upskilling for BERNAMA staff and their children.

The education fund is worth RM1 million yearly, and eligible candidates can choose from a wide range of academic programmes as well as short courses offered by the university. It also entitles them to apply for the Blue Ocean Strategy MBA - a UCSI premier executive education programme.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by BERNAMA chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Sulaiman and UCSI chairman and founder Datuk Peter Ng, and witnessed by BERNAMA general manager Datuk Yong Soo Heong and UCSI deputy vice-chancellor Prof Dr Teoh Kok Soo.

Also present at the event, held at the UCSI campus in Cheras, were BERNAMA editor-in-chief Datuk Zulkefli Salleh, deputy editor-in-chief (economic news service) Amer Hamzah Md Sap, deputy editor-in-chief (audio visual service) Mokhtar Hussain and editor I (general news service) Khairdzir Md Yunus.

The MoU, which is expected to take effect next month, also allows BERNAMA to be the media partner of UCSI, with publicity across multiple platforms including the television, radio, print, event management and online channels.

It will also see BERNAMA providing internship for UCSI students.

Speaking to reporters after the signing, Abdul Rahman said the MoU was significant as it goes beyond any normal MoU of just providing internship for students.

"It is a win-win situation for both, where UCSI will get greater publicity exposure through our extensive network and services while our staff and their children will have the chance to pursue their studies at the university.

"We also see it as a corporate social responsibility of BERNAMA . I sincerely hope that this collaboration is the beginning of a very fruitful relationship between BERNAMA and UCSI," he said.

With the partnership, he said, BERNAMA could also tap the expertise of UCSI's academicians and professionals in various fields and issues.

Meanwhile, Ng expressed optimism that UCSI's publicity and image can be further enhanced through the landmark partnership.

He said he was confident that BERNAMA would serve as an effective praxis centre for the university's students, lecturers and experts panel.

Founded in 1986, UCSI University offers some 100 academic programmes from diploma level upwards as well as professional and short courses.

-- BERNAMA