WITH lifelong learning becoming increasingly relevant amid rapid advancements in today’s world, executive education offers business leaders and industry experts the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills.
The recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Usanita Sdn Bhd and the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School (SBS) is set to enable Malaysians, particularly entrepreneurs and professionals, to acquire world-class executive education.
Established in 1996, SBS is named after philanthropist Wafic Rida Saïd, a Syrian-born businessman known for his contributions to education and social welfare.
Historic: Adzliana (left) exchanging the MoU documents with Young.
Despite being relatively young, SBS is now recognised as one of the world’s top business schools, offering MBA programmes, executive education and courses in management and finance.
SBS executive education programmes associate director Corinne Young expressed the school’s excitement about collaborating with Usanita, a company focused on empowering entrepreneurs, to implement training programmes that will have a positive impact on executive education, not only in Malaysia but also across Asean.
“We value all entrepreneurs, especially female entrepreneurs from Asean countries. We would like to provide opportunities for them to experience Oxford life and the executive programmes delivered by our world-class faculty, and we hope to give them the chance to deliver the impact back to Malaysia and their respective sectors,” she said after the MoU signing ceremony at the SBS Executive Education Centre in Egrove Park, United Kingdom, on Feb 5.
Young also highlighted that the event was a historic milestone, as Usanita chief executive officer Datuk Adzliana Hasan was the first female entrepreneur from Malaysia and Asean to sign an MoU with SBS at the university.
Also present at the signing ceremony were Malaysia’s director of higher education in London Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Damanhuri, as well as SBS executive education programmes senior adviser Hassan Malik, manager Patricia Alvarez and adviser Neus Garcia.
During her speech, Adzliana said Usanita chose the University of Oxford as its strategic partner due to its rich history and global reputation as a symbol of excellence in education and leadership.
“This historic achievement is realised through Usanita’s Bridge to Brilliance programme. Through this collaboration, we will bring world-class expertise to Malaysian entrepreneurs and students,” she said.
She added that the partnership between Usanita and SBS aligns with the Malaysian government’s Madani vision to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations between Malaysia and the UK, as emphasised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his official visit to the country last month.
Meanwhile, Higher Education minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, in his recorded message aired during the event, said the partnership allows Malaysians to experience world-class education.
“Such collaborations further reinforce Malaysia’s commitment as the Asean Chair to driving regional leadership, fostering innovation and enhancing knowledge-sharing on a global scale,” he said.
The Usanita delegation was also given a tour of SBS facilities, including the Thatcher Business Education Centre and the SBS Executive Education Centre.
