Written by: Dr. Fadilah Binti Siali, FEB-UNIMAS
In celebration of its Jubli Mutiara, the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) recently hosted a high-profile talk on 22 June 2026, featuring Group Chief People Officer at Affin Bank Berhad, Dr. Syukri Sudari, who flew in from Kuala Lumpur for the event. The 2.5-hour session, which ran from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM, centred on the theme “Talent Transformation: Building Future-Ready Organisations Through People.” The insightful presentation offered attendees a fresh, strategic perspective on human capital development and organizational readiness.
A First-of-Its-Kind Apprenticeship
This event marks a crucial milestone in the strengthening of the strategic partnership between UNIMAS and Affin Bank Berhad. A key highlight of this collaboration is the upcoming Apprenticeship Programme for the Bachelor’s in Financial Services Management, with its first intakes scheduled for September 2026 or February 2027. This pioneering initiative is recognised as a one-of-a-kind apprenticeship program in Malaysia, blending rigorous academic foundations with elite, hands-on corporate training.
High-Level Post-Meeting Solidifies Program Structure & MoA
Following the main talk, a crucial post-meeting was convened to iron out the operational and legal framework of the initiative, led by Dr. Fadilah binti Siali, the Program Coordinator for the Bachelor in Financial Services Management (Apprenticeship Program). This strategic session brought together key leadership figures from both organisations to review the program’s roadmap, including Dr. Syukri Sudari (Group Chief People Officer, Affin Bank Berhad), Puan Nur Soufiah Mohd Musadik, Director, Talent Management, Group People Office, Affin Bank Berhad, Prof. Dr. Dayang Affizzah Binti Awang Marikan (Dean of FEB, UNIMAS), Dr. Mohd Khairul Hisyam Hassan (Deputy Dean (Academic and International), FEB), Dr. Mohd Uzairi bin Ahmad Hajazi (Ketua Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Kurikulum Program Apprenticeship, FEB)
The constructive discussion heavily focused on assessing the current progress of the program development to ensure alignment with both academic benchmarks and corporate banking standards. A primary agenda item was establishing the timeline for the finalization of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), a critical legal binding that will formally solidify the responsibilities of both institutions ahead of the official launch. Additionally, the committee thoroughly mapped out the readiness for the official embarkation and commencement dates, ensuring that all systems, mentorship structures, and academic modules are fully optimized for the inaugural student cohorts entering in September 2026 or February 2027.
From left: Dr. Fadilah, Puan Soufiah, Dr. Syukri, Mr. Victor Liew, Dr. Khairul, Dr. Uzairi
The success of the day’s events was a collaborative triumph. Special recognition goes to Dr. Uzairi for coordinating the talk in conjunction with the Jubli Mutiara celebrations, and to Prof. Dr. Dayang Affizzah for her steadfast leadership. The overwhelming support from both the academic and corporate sectors underscores a mutual commitment to delivering future-proof education and creating unmatched career pathways for UNIMAS students.