Kuala Lumpur: Universiti Keusahawanan Koperasi Malaysia (UKKM) is set to welcome its first cohort for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program next July, as announced by Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. He shared this significant development during his address at the UKKM Pro-Chancellor Proclamation Ceremony and First Convocation at the World Trade Centre.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, UKKM had previously initiated the Doctor of Philosophy (Entrepreneurship) program, enrolling 16 PhD candidates last July. The university is also in the process of adopting a Work-Based Learning approach, such as the 2U2I program, where undergraduates spend two years at university and two years in the industry, aiming to produce graduates who are highly sought after by the industry.

Ewon highlighted UKKM’s plans to offer several academic programs through Open Distance Learning (ODL), targeting candidates residing far from the main campus. He emphasized the importance of UKKM remaining competitive and aligned with current demands by exploring and expanding existing study programs. This includes adding programs in business data analytics, franchise management, international business, and entrepreneurial leadership, which are relevant to current trends.

Furthermore, UKKM has obtained a permit to enroll international students, with intake set to begin this year. As a full-fledged private university, UKKM is making initial preparations to secure recognition from the Rating System for Malaysian Higher Education (SETARA) and the Malaysia Top Business School (MyTBS) audit.

Ewon expressed confidence in UKKM’s pursuit of securing an international rating from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) based in Europe. He believes that under its current leadership, UKKM will establish itself as a reference university in cooperative studies in the future.