QSR Brands and Universiti Sains Malaysia join forces to empower employees in the pursuit of knowledge, as the first batch of programme students begin their learning journey.
QSR Brands joins forces with Universiti Sains Malaysia to offer employees unique upskilling opportunity
AS part of its commitment to cultivate continued learning, QSR Brands has partnered with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to develop an exclusive degree course, the Bachelor of Management (Hons) in Strategy and Organisational Management with minor in Food Technology, tailored for high-performing QSR employees.
This micro-credential programme, which runs for three and a half years, offers qualified employees who were previously unable to pursue higher level education, a unique upskilling opportunity.
A micro-credential is a focused educational programme designed to impart specific practical skills or knowledge.
Unlike conventional degree programmes, micro-credentials can be completed at the students’ own pace. They offer a flexible, stackable structure, allowing students to accumulate multiple micro-credentials and tailor their learning to specific career needs.
These programmes are industry-relevant, making them ideal for professionals looking to upskill or enhance their expertise within a specific area.
Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between QSR Brands and USM, the company will sponsor up to 20 students annually for five years starting 2023.
The goal is to empower 100 employees to enhance and upgrade their lives.
The Bachelor of Management (Hons) in Strategy and Organisational Management offered by USM has been customised to meet QSR Brands employees’ needs based on job scope relevance within the company.
The curriculum is designed with standalone modules to ensure flexibility for those enrolled. Classes will be conducted online to accommodate the varying schedules of full-time employees.
KFC operations market coach Shamsul Mohd Ashraf Ishak, who joins the first batch of students, said the programme will allow him to enhance his knowledge of the industry he is in. He started as a part-time cook in 2001, before rising to a restaurant manager after completing a career advancement course in 2006. He now manages 84 outlets on the east coast and in Klang Valley.
“With it being a management course, I am sure the programme would be able to guide me in performing my role better and growing to greater heights," he said.
QSR Brands chairman Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim is proud that the organisation is able to constantly encourage progress among its employees, adding that offering employees the chance to upskill would fuel their ambitions to live better, both within and beyond the organisation.
“We are confident that our employees will seize this opportunity to improve themselves as well as their contributions to this organisation.
“We are extremely proud to be working with an esteemed organisation like USM to elevate the well-being of our staff,” he said.
QSR Brands chief people officer Sharifah Musainah Syed Alwi pointed out that the uniqueness of this initiative is the flexibility and adaptability to various work schedules it offers to their employees.
QSR Brands chief people officer Sharifah Musainah Syed Alwi underscored the organisation's commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning.
"Our mission is to grow people as builders and provide our employees with the opportunity to pursue tertiary education, refine their skills, while unlocking their full career potential. The importance of continuous learning cannot be overstated - it's a lifelong journey," she said.
“In line with our mission to empower our employees, we have been working to create an Education Assistance programme where our top performing employees with minimal educational qualifications get the opportunity to further their studies and earn a recognised degree,” she further elaborated.
She proudly notes that QSR Brands’ partnership with USM is the first fully accredited micro-credential degree programme in Malaysia.
USM School of Management dean professor Dr Noor Hazlina Ahmad commended QSR Brands’ efforts in continuously empowering their employees to learn.
“As an educator, it is my belief that there is no end to learning and we in USM are pleased to collaborate with QSR Brands who share this sentiment with us.
“We know that this programme will certainly benefit both employees and the organisation. As such, we hope this is the beginning to many future collaborations between our organisations,” she said.
Keywords: CTOHE, Digital Advertorial, StarPicks, QSR Brands, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Upskilling, Micro-credential programme, career advancement, industry relevant
