A University-Industry collaboration to boost graduate employability

Kota Damansara, 19 April 2019 – SEGi Group of Colleges (SGC) today launched its collaboration with QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd (QSR Brands) to implement 2u2i academic programme through the first-ever Diploma in Restaurant Management in support of flexible education as envisioned by Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education) in producing holistic, entrepreneurial and balanced graduates.
As a subset to Work-Based Learning, 2u2i study mode supports the blending of academic study and industrial training. The collaboration provides opportunity for students in the Diploma of Restaurant Management programme to receive experiential learning through industrial training with KFC restaurants following two years of academic study.
The programme’s curriculum was designed between SEGi Group of Colleges (SGC) and industry (QSR Brands) to ensure the courses, delivery and learning methods are relevant and conform to today’s industry needs. Students under the programme will undergo five restaurant training modules by QSR Brands equipped with structured training, assessments and designated trainers. With QSR Brands’ global state-of-the-art training infrastructure incorporating class-based, coaching, hands-on and e-learning, this 2u2i programme is set to boost students’ employability upon graduation.
In tandem with the launching ceremony, a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also established between SGC, QSR Brands and Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang (MAINPP) to empower the B40 category in Pulau Pinang for equal opportunity and access to education and employment through SEGi SAG (Skill Academic Grant) initiative.
The agreement was signed and formalised by Mr. Cheah Teong Keat, Principal of SEGi College Penang, SEG International Bhd; Ling Mee Jiuan, Chief Operating Officer of KFC Malaysia; and Mr. Amran Hazali, Chief Executive Officer, Zakat Pulau Pinang, MAINPP; witnessed by Mr. Daniel Teng, Group Senior Executive Director, SEGi Holdings Sdn Bhd; Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azahari Mohamed Kamil, Managing Director, QSR Brands; and Dato’ Haji Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, Yang Di-Pertua MAINPP.
“We prioritise Employability and have collaborated with corporate partners to provide short term on-the-job training or internships to prepare our students for the workplace. However, there are areas where we can formally incorporate such on the job industrial training into our programmes. Today, we are very proud to partner with QSR Brands, to provide the opportunity for students of our Diploma in Restaurant Management to complete their industrial training at over 700 KFC outlets in Malaysia,” said Mr Daniel Teng
He also emphasised on the inclusivity of education and the need to reach out to students who are less privileged and provide them with equal opportunity to pursue higher education.
“For these students, we offer the Skill Academic Grant (or SAG) programme where they will be equipped with both skills training and academic qualifications so that they too will have a better chance to succeed in life. We work with government and non-governmental organisations, Members of Parliament and ADUNs, to identify SPM school leavers who can benefit from the SAG programme and this includes helping our students gain work experience and supplementary income through part time jobs,” added Mr Teng.
“The launch of the first ever 2u2i programme in Diploma of Restaurant Management with SEGi is another step forward in building the talent pool and driving our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) agenda in building sustainable future through quality workforce development. The curriculum designed with our involvement as an industry practitioner and holistic learning provided through our state of the art training infrastructure, focus to produce industry-aware and industry-ready graduates, which will benefit not only KFC but the industry in the long run. While serving at our restaurants as KFC trainee, undergraduates will also benefit from a monthly allowance of RM1,000.
Beyond that, we are proud to extend the initiative with Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang to empower asnaf students selected under the 2u2i programme with equal employment opportunities after graduation as part of our philanthropic efforts,” said Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azahari.
Dato’ Haji Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, Yang Di-Pertua MAINPP welcomed the cooperation signed today between SEGi Group Of Colleges (SGC), QSR Brands (M) Bhd and Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang (MAINPP), “Through the initiatives of these three parties, Zakat Pulau Pinang will find about 500 students from the existing asnaf database to attend various diploma programmes, such as Diploma in Restaurant Management, Diploma in Business Administration, Diploma in Culinary Arts and Diploma in Hotel Management. SEGi will provide financial assistance to participants of the programmes. In addition, participants of the programmes are also given the opportunity to work with QSR Brands after graduating. This is in line with the wishes and aspirations of Zakat Pulau Pinang who want to produce more skilled workers among the asnaf community. MAINPP wishes to express its appreciation to QSR Brands (M) Sdn Bhd for providing asnaf children the opportunity to develop their potential and build a better future.”