UTAR and The Access Group strengthen industry collaboration with MoU signing

University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with The Access Group, to enhance academic-industry collaboration and create new opportunities for student development.

The signing ceremony took place at The Access Group’s Global Operations Centre (GOC) on 20 March 2025 in Exchange 106, Kuala Lumpur.

The Access Group officially opened its new Global Operation Centre in Malaysia in November last year, focusing on delivering exceptional customer experience as Access continues its global expansion. The Group has long been committed to supporting students early in their careers and preparing them for the world of work.

The MoU was signed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat and The Access Group Managing Director Mr Lim Chee Gay, witnessed by UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Ir Prof Dr Goi Bok Min and The Access Group APAC Support Director Ms Marina Morozova.

The partnership aims to provide UTAR students with access to internship opportunities, academic development programmes, student mobility initiatives, and faculty collaborations. A key highlight of the MoU is the student internship agreement, which aims to offer students valuable exposure to local and international work environments, helping them gain cross-cultural competencies and industry-relevant skills.

Mr Lim welcomed the attendees and praised UTAR’s strong graduate employability. He introduced The Access Group to UTAR representatives and highlighted its commitment to talent development, ESG initiatives, and industry collaboration. Mr Lim also reaffirmed the company’s dedication to providing career opportunities to UTAR students and strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

In his speech, Prof Dato’ Ewe emphasised the importance of such collaborations in preparing students for the evolving global workforce. He stated, “UTAR is committed to equipping its students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a dynamic business landscape. This partnership with The Access Group will open doors for students to gain hands-on experience and enhance their career readiness.”

Also present were The Access Group Head of Finance (GOC) Mr Jason Lee, Customer Experience Lead (Customer Experience) Ms Rianne Teo, Talent Acquisition Advisor (Employee Success) Ms Anne Linggoh, Talent Acquisition Partners (Employee Success) Ms Maulika Rao and Ms Bonnie Boon, GOC Early Careers Lead Ms Vidya Jagadishan, and Employee Experience Advisor (KL) (Employee Success) Ms Devi Muniandy.

UTAR representatives were Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Dean Dr Pok Wei Fong, FAM Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Mr Low Chin Kian, FAM Lecturer Ms Rae Hooi, Teh Hong Piow Faculty of Business and Finance (THP FBF) Lecturer Puan Zulnurhaini binti Zolkaply (online), and Department of Alumni Relations and Placement (DARP) Senior Assistant Manager Ms Catherine Jok Wan.

The collaboration between UTAR and The Access Group marks a significant step in fostering academia-industry engagement, ensuring that students gain practical insights and industry exposure to complement their academic learning.

About the Access Group
The Access Group is one of the largest UK-headquartered business management software providers. It provides solutions that empower more than 128,000 small and mid-sized organisations in commercial and non-profit sectors across Europe, USA and APAC, giving every employee the freedom to do more of what's important. Its innovative cloud solutions and integrated AI software experience across multiple Access products transform how business technology is used. Access employs approx. 8,000 people, continuously driving product innovation and customer service excellence.