BAC Education Group and ZICO Trust Malaysia expand tertiary education access in scholarship MOU

PETALING JAYA, September 10 — BAC Education Group and ZICO Trust (M) Berhad have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to provide scholarships to 10 B40 students pursuing degrees in law, accounting and finance, and business administration. ZICO Trust will cover tuition fees exceeding RM160,000 annually for the duration of the three-year scholarship programme.

Six students will study for Bachelor of Laws degrees via BAC's University of London International Programme, while two will pursue Bachelor of Accounting and Finance degrees at Veritas University College, and the final two will complete Bachelor of Business Administration degrees through Veritas' open and distance learning programme.

The scholarship is available to B40 students who achieve strong academic results and exhibit positive behaviour throughout their courses. Recipients will be obligated to work for ZICO Trust Malaysia for one year post-graduation, subject to further eligibility criteria and terms. Raja Singham, co-founder and chief future officer of BAC Education Group, emphasized that the partnership reflects the group's conviction that education should equip students not only with qualifications but also with the skills necessary to thrive in the rapidly evolving modern world.

The professionals of tomorrow must possess adaptability, curiosity, and the ability to work across disciplines, with the confidence to continually learn and reinvent themselves in the face of technological advancements, particularly AI, which is revolutionizing learning, work, and decision-making. ZICO Trust chairman Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr Mazlan Lazim stressed that financial constraints should not hinder deserving students from pursuing higher education.

He believes that education possesses the ability to alter the course of a person's life, and the partnership with BAC Education Group enables ZICO Trust to offer valuable assistance to promising students, enabling them to establish their place in Malaysia's professional sphere. With enhanced financial stability throughout their studies and internship and career development prospects at ZICO Trust upon graduation, the committee hopes that these young individuals will feel more confident in pursuing their aspirations, building fulfilling careers, and ultimately contributing to their communities.

The MOU was signed by Raja Singham and Mazlan, with the presence of Veritas University College CEO Prof Dr Amer Hamzah Jantan and ZICO Trust executive director Chew Seng Kok. The collaboration aims to increase access to higher education and offer scholarship holders opportunities to develop professional competencies and establish careers post-graduation.