KUALA LUMPUR, 26 August 2025: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) a wakalah zakat contribution worth RM30,000 from Zurich Takaful Malaysia Berhad during a ceremony held at Zurich HQ, KL Eco City, on 22 August.
This contribution is intended to assist UUM students in need, with the hope of easing their financial burdens and enabling them to continue their studies without disruption.
In his address UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan, expressed his deep appreciation to Zurich for its concern and commitment.
He emphasised that support from industry partners not only strengthens the university’s education ecosystem but also serves as a catalyst for the development of well-rounded human capital, both academically and personally.
Meanwhile, Zurich Takaful Chief Executive Officer, Mdm. Fatihah Mustafa, highlighted the company’s satisfaction in establishing a strategic partnership with UUM through the Career Development and Graduate Employability Centre (PPKKG), while also contributing to the wider community through zakat.
“I fervently hope that this initiative will bring long-term benefits to both the students and the university as they continue to pursue their academic journey on campus,” she said.
At the same juncture, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between UUM and Zurich Takaful.
The signing followed the completion of a talent development training programme under the PPKKG initiative, namely the Zurich Takaful Padawan programme, introduced in 2021 as part of the School of Hard Knocks (SoHK).
In addition, the MoU also outlines an expanded framework of collaboration covering research projects, community development training programme, industry fellowship programmes, staff development programmes and other areas of mutual interest that are agreed upon from time to time.
Moreover, Zurich will consider offering suitable internship placements for UUM students, depending on identified needs. These training programmes are expected to serve as an effective platform for assessing students’ knowledge, skills and competencies.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening university-industry relations, with the goal of producing competitive graduates who meet the demands of today’s job market.
The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by senior management representatives from both organisations and concluded with the symbolic handover of a replica of a zakat cheque to the Vice-Chancellor.
Also present at the ceremony were the Dean of Student Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Dr Zainudin Omar; the Director of PPKKG, Dr Fikriyah Abdullah; and Coordinator of SoHK, Dr Adilah Azhari.
