EKUITI Nasional Bhd (Ekuinas) celebrated the graduation of 75 participants from the Iltizam professional development programme (PDP) cohort 2025.
This brings the total number of people supported since its inception in 2012 to 807 Bumiputra graduates.
The PDP advances Ekuinas’ social mandate to strengthen Bumiputra economic participation by focusing on talent development and career readiness.
Iltizam is the government-linked equity firm’s social impact platform designed to lift the community through entrepreneurship, education and community.
Under the education pillar, Iltizam helps address graduate unemployment and underemployment, particularly among youths from underprivileged and low-income backgrounds.
Ekuinas chief executive officer Aliff Omar Mohamad Omar said the programme has received a consistently high number of applications from across the country over the years.
“Each application represents hope, responsibility and the potential of young graduates.
“The selection process is rigorous as we look for drive, grit and potential, with the belief that with the right guidance and opportunities, these young men and women will go far,” he said at the graduation ceremony,
The programme combined classroom training, personalised coaching and mentorship with a 12-month salaried work placement at Ekuinas and 28 other organisations.
Graduate associates will receive a monthly salary of RM2,800 beginning with the 2026 cohort.
The graduate associates gain hands-on exposure to real workplace responsibilities, enabling them to gain confidence, professionalism and real-world skills essential for long-term career success.
The Iltizam PDP programme plays an important role in bridging the gap between academic qualifications and industry expectations, Ekuinas stated.
The graduation ceremony featured a reflective panel discussion titled “Voices of Leadership” featuring Ekuinas chairman Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, board member and corporate social responsibility committee (CSRC) chairman Datuk Abdul Mutalib Alias and Aliff Omar.
They shared candid insights from their early career journeys, overcoming challenges and setting priorities.
The ceremony also recognised outstanding participant achievements with Muhammad Irfan Mohammad Fuad, 29, from Selangor, receiving the “Harap Award” as the Best Graduate Associate of Iltizam PDP 2025 in addition to being selected by his peers as valedictorian.
The award was determined based on evaluations conducted throughout the year by Ekuinas, placement companies, trainers and coaches.
Muhammad Irfan, who is currently working as an investment executive at Koperasi Islah Malaysia Bhd (KIMB), said Iltizam PDP had been a meaningful learning journey for him.
“The support, mentorship and workplace exposure helped me develop practical skills and greater confidence.
“I have gained valuable insights into workplace dynamics and expectations,” he added.
Since its inception, Iltizam PDP has produced graduates who are now employed across a diverse range of sectors, including investment and financial services, telecommunications, professional services, education, manufacturing, healthcare and the public sector, as well as within Ekuinas and its portfolio companies.
The programme is aligned with national talent development priorities, including the Government’s GEAR-uP “Raise the Floor” initiative.
In 2025, Ekuinas disbursed approximately RM12.7mil through Iltizam initiatives, with RM9.2mil allocated to education-focused programmes, including Iltizam PDP.
Applications for the Iltizam PDP 2027 are expected to open in August 2026.
Eligible Bumiputra graduates must be under 30 years old, hold a minimum bachelor’s degree from any field of study with a CGPA of 3.0; come from households earning below RM5,000 per month; and have been unemployed for over six months at the time of application.
