MSC MALAYSIA COLLABORATES WITH SCOPE INTERNATIONAL TO FURTHER REVOLUTIONIZE THE ICT AND BANKING INDUSTRIES IN MALAYSIA

UGRAD–Scope International Programme to tap further into the potential of local ICT talent and enhance employability of fresh graduates

KUALA LUMPUR, August 25, 2008: Graduates in Malaysia now face fiercer competition in job-hunts and often find themselves in unfamiliar territory and inadequately equipped in the early phases of their jobs.

To enhance the employability of fresh graduates in Malaysia and bridge the gap between the supply and demand of local K-Workers, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) is collaborating with Scope International Malaysia to launch the “MSC Malaysia Undergraduate Apprenticeship and Development (UGRAD)–Scope International Programme” under the MSC Malaysia K-Workers Development Initiative.

The collaborative programme will provide practical training for undergraduates nationwide with the aim of creating and cultivating an industry-relevant talent pool for both the information and communications technology (ICT) and banking industries in Malaysia. The programme represents a means of tapping further into the potential of local ICT talent and as such, will maintain Malaysia’s competitive-edge as a regional ICT hub.

Careers in the ICT and banking industries are among the most sought-after in the Malaysian job opportunities landscape. The programme will not only provide an edge for Malaysian graduates to face the challenges ahead, it will also prepare them for seamless entry into the highly competitive global ICT and banking sectors upon graduation.

The UGRAD-Scope International Programme is a six-month programme structured around five Specialist Courses from which students have the opportunity to select any one of the following:
Software and Systems Development
I.T. Support Services
Wholesale Banking Operations
Consumer Banking Operations
Customer Call Centre Management

In addition to the five Specialist Courses, the programme will also offer two compulsory core modules:
Business Communications
Customer Service Excellence

The programme will revolutionize ICT and banking-related courses available at various Malaysian tertiary education institutions, through the provision of regular industry input, as well as the integration of academic lectures with real-time practical training at various business divisions in Scope International.

Dato’ Badlisham Ghazali, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MDeC, said “The needs of various industries, particularly the ICT and banking sectors, in Malaysia are changing more rapidly than ever. Graduates need to be kept abreast with the demands of these industries, especially fresh upon graduation and in the midst of seeking job opportunities.”

“The UGRAD-Scope International Programme is designed with the objective of providing graduates a cutting edge against competition in the quest for jobs, and also to keep up with the needs and demands of the ICT and banking industries in Malaysia. This is another step for MSC Malaysia in driving the nation’s economy towards further growth and advancement,” he added.

“Upon successful completion of the programme and assessments, these graduates will have the opportunity to be absorbed as an employee of Scope International and also the opportunity to work in any Standard Chartered office worldwide, based on international assignments, as they progress in their careers,” said Arif Siddiqui, CIO Malaysia and Director, Scope International.

“More importantly, the graduates would have obtained intensive “hands-on” and real-time training of world-class standards as required by a leading international bank,” he added.

The success of the programme will provide a boost to advanced skill levels available to the ICT and banking sectors, which in turn will propel the nation’s economy forward.

In addition to that, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) document exchange on Human Capital Development between MDeC and Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) officiated the long-standing collaborative relationship between both aforementioned parties for their efforts in the development of industry relevant K-Workers for the local ICT industry. This MoU document exchange also signified the recognition of MDeC as MOHE’s strategic partner for both short and long-term initiatives for ICT K-Workers development. This partnership will allow MOHE to leverage on MDeC as the single channel for all its ICT-related initiatives; while MDeC will gain support from MOHE in all dealings coordination with various institutes of higher learnings (IHL).