Johor: USANITA Sdn Bhd (USANITA) has made history by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sad Business School (SBS) at the University of Oxford to provide world-class executive education for Malaysians, particularly entrepreneurs and professionals.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, SBS Associate Director of Executive Education Programmes, Corinne Young, highlighted the significance of this occasion, noting that USANITA’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Adzliana Hasan, became the first female entrepreneur from Malaysia and ASEAN to sign such an agreement with the school.
Established in 1996, SBS is the business school of the University of Oxford, named after philanthropist Wafic Rida Sad, a Syrian-born businessman known for his contributions to education and social welfare. Young stated that SBS is recognised as one of the world’s leading business schools, offering MBA programmes, executive education, and specialised courses in management and finance.
She mentioned that the school looks forward to collaborating with USANITA to develop training programmes that will benefit executive education in Malaysia and ASEAN. “We want to provide entrepreneurs from Malaysia and ASEAN with the opportunity to experience learning at Oxford through our executive programmes. For female entrepreneurs, this collaboration will allow them to enhance their knowledge and create a meaningful impact in Malaysia and their respective industries,” she explained.
The MoU was signed at the SBS Executive Education Centre in Egrove Park, Oxford, yesterday, with notable attendees including Director of Malaysia Higher Education in London, Associate Prof Dr Mohd Hanafi Ahmad Damanhuri, SBS Senior Advisor for Executive Education Programmes, Hassan Malik, Executive Education Programme Manager, Patricia Alvarez, and Programme Advisor, Neus Garcia.
USANITA CEO Adzliana Hasan stated in her speech that Oxford University was chosen as a strategic partner due to its distinguished reputation and long-standing commitment to excellence in education and leadership. “This milestone is part of USANITA’s ‘Bridge to Brilliance’ initiative, aimed at bringing global expertise to Malaysian entrepreneurs and students,” she said.
The collaboration aligns with the MADANI government’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties between Malaysia and the United Kingdom, as highlighted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his recent official visit to the UK. The statement also noted that Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, in a recorded message aired during the event, said the partnership would provide Malaysians with access to world-class learning opportunities. “Such collaborations reinforce Malaysia’s commitment as ASEAN Chair to advancing regional leadership while fostering global innovation and knowledge exchange,” said Zambry.
During the event, the USANITA delegation toured SBS facilities, including the Thatcher Business Education Centre and the Executive Education Centre at Egrove Park.