Kuala lumpur: Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) and the National Sports Council (NSC) today signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing sports and academic development, particularly for national athletes and coaches. The signing ceremony was attended by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, in conjunction with the sixth edition of the ‘Rakan Muda Turun Kampus’ 2025 programme at UPNM, Kem Perdana Sungai Besi.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the collaboration focuses on developing work-based learning (WBL) academic programmes to boost the competitiveness and employability of athletes and coaches by recognizing their skills, experience, and expertise. This initiative also seeks to map career pathways with existing academic curricula, providing a structured approach to education and career development.
The LoI also opens pathways for NSC staff, athletes, and experienced coaches without formal academic qualifications to pursue higher education through the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning for Access (APEL.A) pathway. Special admission opportunities into UPNM academic programmes will be offered, alongside other fields mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Hannah Yeoh noted that the collaboration aligns with the Youth and Sports Ministry’s efforts to empower the national sports development ecosystem holistically, including the educational aspect. ‘We want to empower students who want to pursue sports while also helping athletes continue their studies and build a career after retiring from sports,’ she stated after the event.
Also present at the ceremony were UPNM vice-chancellor Lt Gen Datuk Arman Rumaizi Ahmad and NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin. The ‘Rakan Muda Turun Kampus’ programme serves as a platform for students from higher learning institutions to share their aspirations, views, and ideas on youth and sports development directly with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Throughout this year, 10 editions of the programme will be conducted, involving around 5,000 students. The initiative also includes interactive activities by the Rakan Muda Development Division of the National Youth and Sports Department, with support from Rakita radio station. This effort aligns with the values of trust and compassion under the Malaysia MADANI concept, emphasizing the importance of listening to youth voices, addressing their needs, and creating space for young people to contribute to nation-building.