A strategic partnership to advance talent development, research and community impact, with a shared commitment to nurturing future-ready graduates through purposeful, industry-aligned initiatives.
Zurich Takaful Malaysia Berhad (ZTMB), the Family Takaful arm of Zurich Malaysia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), marking a meaningful collaboration to strengthen academic-industry partnerships in talent development, research and community advancement.
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to shaping resilient, future-ready graduates and expanding research that contributes to nation-building. By connecting academia with real-world industry exposure, both parties aim to provide a strong foundation for Malaysia’s next generation of leaders and changemakers.
The MoU was formalised at a signing ceremony, graced by Nur Fatihah Mustafa, Chief Executive Officer of ZTMB, and Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Fo’ad Sakdan, Vice-Chancellor of UUM. Nur Fatihah Mustafa shared, “At ZTMB, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of talent and creating real opportunities for learning and growth. Through this partnership with UUM, we aim to Create a Brighter Future Together for students, communities and the industry at large.”
Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohd Fo’ad Sakdan underscored this point, stating, “This collaboration with ZTMB marks a significant step forward, creating new pathways for our students and faculty to learn, innovate, and contribute through industry-relevant programmes and research. It reflects our vision of holistic education, where knowledge is enriched through meaningful partnerships that drive progress and create lasting impact for both academia and society.”
Under the three-year MoU, both parties will collaborate across four strategic pillars, including joint research and community development projects, focusing on topics such as reputation management with ZTMB as a case study and on-ground initiatives that contribute to community development. The collaboration will also feature an Industry Fellow Programme, where ZTMB subject-matter experts will engage with UUM students through knowledge-sharing sessions, bridging classroom learning with real-world applications.
Talent development is another key focus, with ZTMB supporting UUM’s Career Development Centre and Graduate Employability Centre (CDGEC) programmes such as the School of Hard Knocks (SoHK), while also providing internship opportunities for UUM students. In addition, a staff development exchange will be introduced to facilitate mutual knowledge-sharing and skill-building between ZTMB and UUM across academia and industry.
As part of the ceremony, Zurich General Takaful Malaysia Berhad (ZGTMB) also presented a wakalah zakat contribution of RM30,000 to support underprivileged students under the asnaf fakir category at UUM. Beyond this contribution, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing financial inclusion, empowering education, and uplifting underserved communities through purposeful and on-ground activities.