SINTOK, 3 June 2026: The aspirations of accounting students, particularly those from B40 and asnaf backgrounds at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), received a significant boost following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UUM and TYMBA Education Group (TYMBA).
The strategic collaboration aims to address one of the most common barriers faced by aspiring accountants that is the high cost of obtaining professional qualifications. Through this partnership, both parties will work together to expand access to professional accounting education and create greater opportunities for students to pursue internationally recognised certifications.
The signing ceremony, held at the Visitors’ Lounge, Sultan Sallehuddin Chancellery Building, marked the beginning of a strategic collaboration in providing training and examination pathways for globally recognised professional accounting bodies, including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, said the collaboration reflects the university’s commitment to enhancing graduate employability, particularly through the Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz School of Accountancy (TISSA-UUM), which has earned international recognition for its academic excellence.
“We understand that the cost of pursuing professional examinations can be substantial and often poses a significant challenge for students from B40 and asnaf backgrounds. Therefore, the university is currently exploring inclusive sponsorship mechanisms, including the utilisation of zakat funds, to support students in obtaining professional qualifications.
“We want to ensure that financial constraints no longer prevent talented students from realising their potential and competing successfully in an increasingly competitive job market,” he said.
The move further underscores UUM’s commitment to supporting the national agenda of developing 60,000 professional accountants to meet the country’s future workforce needs.
Meanwhile, TYMBA Education Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Airil Razali, described the MoU as a continuation of the collaborative relationship that has been established between TYMBA and TISSA-UUM over the past year.
According to him, TYMBA, a global provider of professional accounting education, is committed to supporting accounting students throughout their academic and professional journeys, particularly those from asnaf and Bumiputera B40 backgrounds.
He added that TYMBA is prepared to offer various forms of sponsorship, guidance, and support to ensure that students not only complete their academic programmes successfully but also obtain professional qualifications that will enable them to meet industry demands and excel in their careers.
“Our goal is to support and guide accounting students from their university years until they establish successful careers and become qualified professional accountants who can contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bakti Hasan Basri; University Legal Advisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khadijah Mohamed; Dean of TISSA-UUM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Raja Haslinda Raja Mohd. Ali; Mr. Airil Razali, Chief Executive Officer of TYMBA Education Group; as well as senior university officials.
