UKKM to begin operations in April

IPOH: Universiti Keusahawanan Koperasi Malaysia (UKKM) has successfully received temporary accreditation and recognition from the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and will commence operations in April.

Cooperative Institute of Malaysia (IKMa) director-general Datuk Mohd Ali Mansor said the approval would open a new chapter in efforts to empower the entrepreneurship agenda, especially at institutes of higher learning (IPT).

"UKKM offers diplomas, bachelor's degrees to the level of doctor of philosophy (PhD) in the field of administration and entrepreneurship, and upon completion of the audit process at the premises by the Higher Education Department (JPT), a fully operational letter will be issued to UKKM.

"UKKM will commence sessions in April for the Master's programmes initially, while for the enrollment of students for the diploma level, it’s usually done in September," he told a press conference on "Program Turun Padang ke Arah Memasyarakatkan Koperasi (MasKop)" here Friday (March 17).

UKKM, a result of a combination of the country's 100 best cooperatives to produce a line of competent and professional leaders, was successfully realised when the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) gave its approval on March 28, 2022.

Mohd Ali said UKKM's inclination is more towards management while in the field of entrepreneurship, graduates are able to establish their own cooperatives.

"We encourage the cooperatives to give opportunities to member's children as well as of their staff (cooperatives) who have a background with cooperatives.

"Both IKMa and UKKM play a role in informing prospective applicants of the potential that exists in this university, especially in the field of cooperatives, given that there is currently very little involvement from the youth group," he added.

He said IKMa has organised 30 MasKop programmes with the participation of 6,140 participants to give the community an understanding of the importance of the role of cooperatives in developing the economy of the community and country in particular.

Perak is the third state with the highest number of cooperatives at 1,694, and the total number of cooperatives operating nationwide involves 15,315 with seven million members with revenue of RM38.49bil. - Bernama