Felda partners APU to shape its new generation of talent with Global Digital Leadership Programme

• Initial 13 students consisting of grandchildren of settlers & kids of Felda staff
• US$335k program serves as motivation for new generation to become world class

The Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) through Yayasan Felda signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) to deliver a Global Digital Leadership (GDL) education programme covering a broad range of technology specialisations for Felda’s new-generation human capital development.

This initiative, led by Idris Jusoh, Chairman of Felda aims to increase digital preparedness in line with Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) by exposing reality and practicality in order to produce excellent human capital ready to embrace the challenges in the digitalization era.

The memorandum was signed by Mohd Banuri Aris, General Manager of Yayasan Felda, and Mohd Helmy Norman, Executive Director of APU, witnessed by Idris and Parmjit Singh, Chief Executive Officer of APU.

The public-private strategic collaboration will enable an initial group of 13 outstanding students consisting of grandchildren of settlers and children of Felda Group employees, including FGV, to pursue study programmes up to the Bachelor’s Degree level. These 13 students are among 239 applicants who applied for this scholarship since it opened on 16 June 2022. No details were provided on how often the scholarships would be provided.

Valued at US$335,000 (RM1.5 million) in total, the programme includes Academic Studies Program, Intensive English Program (IEP), Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), foreign language classes (Korean language), accommodation fees, and student allowance for 4 years and 6 months. The students pick their specialisation in the first year depending on the programme. But, before this, they have to do an Intensive English programme first and then enrol in the one year foundation before starting on their Degree.

With the goal of raising educational standards and developing the new generation of Felda, Idris said, “With the signing of this MoU, I am confident that the educational aspirations of the new generation of Felda will be empowered, as will digital mastery, which will be the driver of a more advanced future.”

Felda expects the program will serve as inspiration and motivation for the new generation of talent to continue to innovate and achieve world class success after they graduate. “We hope they go an and become the force to achieve Felda’s aspiration to propel itself into the Fortune 500 league,” Idris explained.

Parmjit thanked Felda, FGV, and Yayasan Felda for their confidence and foresight in establishing collaboration in education and digital technology.

“We look forward to the opportunity of transforming their future, moulding the highly motivated young students selected, into highly competent, employable and future-proof graduates in their chosen technology specialization,” he said.

Parmjit expressed his belief that these students will not only be competitive locally but will also develop high levels of global awareness and competitiveness by studying in APU with a highly multicultural learning environment, which includes more than 130 countries.

The GDL programme offers 18 technology-based courses such as Information Technology (IT), System Security, Cloud Engineering, Network Computing, Mobile Technology, Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Transformation, Financial Technology (FinTech), Business Information Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Digital Forensics, Cyber Security, Intelligent Systems, Multimedia Technology, VR/AR, and Computer Games Development.