Introduces New Internship Program to Bridge Academia and Industry for Career-Ready Graduates
December 20, 2023, Kuala Lumpur – Global retailer UNIQLO has entered a strategic partnership with Universiti Malaya (UM) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering talent development and implementing an internship programme tailored for the students from Faculty of Business & Economics. The MoU between UNIQLO and UM marks a significant milestone as it represents UNIQLO’s inaugural partnership with a Malaysian university, offering students a unique opportunity.
The signing of the MoU underscores the joint commitment between UNIQLO and UM to develop the next generation of skilled business leaders in the retail sector. Through the internship, students will undergo a comprehensive program, spending four weeks at UNIQLO’s head office and eight weeks in stores, gaining both practical and hands-on experience in the retail industry. Additionally, the top two performers will have opportunity to embark on a two-week journey to UNIQLO Japan, further enriching their understanding and expertise.
“Aligned with UNIQLO’s sustainability pillars: People, Planet, and Society – this partnership is a sign of commitment towards the People pillar, by celebrating diversity and individuality, ensuring equal opportunities for career growth. This collaboration with UM marks a significant step towards nurturing top talent from the esteemed Universiti Malaya, aiming to develop students into future leaders within UNIQLO. The initiative with UM is also aligned with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 to foster future talents with industry-relevant skills and knowledge,” Yuki Yamada, Chief Executive Officer of UNIQLO Singapore and Malaysia.
“It is a privilege to have a global industry player like UNIQLO to be one of our important partners. With its extensive history in the retail industry as a global apparel company, UNIQLO brings invaluable expertise to the table. As Malaysia’s premier university, UM continues to leverage its strengths to forge new collaborations, ensuring our position at the forefront,” said Dean Faculty of Business & Economics of Universiti Malaya, Professor Dr. Yusniza Kamarulzaman.
The partnership between UNIQLO and UM signifies a mutual dedication to nurturing talent and creating a conducive learning environment. Leveraging on UNIQLO’s expertise and UM’s academic resources, this initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, offering students a valuable opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Under the terms of the MoU, UNIQLO will provide internship placements to final semester students of UM’s Faculty of Business & Economics who meet selection criteria and successfully clear an interview session. Concurrently, UM will actively support and promote the UNIQLO’s Internship Programme among its final semester students, encouraging their active involvement.
The MoU also aims to create a UNIQLO Manager Candidate (UMC) pipeline, promoting diversity by integrating talents from diverse backgrounds as interns, fostering inclusivity in the workplace. The UMC provides students with bonuses, medical coverage, and specialised training in essential skills such as customer satisfaction, product management, and sales, with the goal of shaping them into store managers and future global leaders.
Effectively immediately and spanning 24 months, this collaboration represents a concerted effort to cultivate and empower Malaysia’s future business leaders.
For more information about UNIQLO and its initiatives, please visit www.uniqlo.com/my.
