The University of Cyberjaya has signed a Collaboration Agreement with IHH Healthcare Singapore that would effectively benefit aspiring Malaysians to be fully sponsored Bachelor and Diploma of Nursing students at the University, including accommodation and cost of living for the next 6 years. The agreement is forged with the hope of further elevating the Nursing career and address shortages currently experienced by the healthcare industry in the South-East Asia region.
The agreement was signed today by Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr. Mohamad Abd Razak, Vice Chancellor of University of Cyberjaya and Assistant Vice President, IHH Healthcare Singapore, Mr. Gerard Lai. The momentous occasion was witnessed by Professor Dr. Zabidi Hussin, Professor of Paediatrics, University of Cyberjaya as well as Prof. Dr. Raja Lexshimi Raja Gopal, the Dean for the Faculty of Nursing, University of Cyberjaya and Ms. Lynda Hooi, Talent Sponsorship & Development Human Resources, IHH Healthcare Singapore.
The objective of the partnership is to establish a joint cooperation in the areas of sponsorship, career opportunities, advancement, and other related activities specifically for Diploma in Nursing and Bachelor of Nursing students and graduates.
The nursing profession remains in high demand in Singapore. On 21 November 2022, the Singapore Health Minister, Mr. Ong Ye Kung reported that Singapore is looking to progressively add close to 4,000 new nurses to its ranks. Mr. Ong said this was a "significant" number, making up about 10 per cent of the current nursing workforce, with a higher foreign to local nurse ratio of about 60:40.
Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr. Mohamad Abd Razak, Vice Chancellor of University of Cyberjaya said, “This agreement is a great opportunity for budding students in Malaysia to be able to study to be Nurses with the opportunity for job security in Singapore. Our students also directly benefit to gain valuable knowledge and experience and become champions for world class patient care.”
IHH Healthcare Singapore is part of IHH Healthcare Berhad, one of the world’s largest healthcare services networks with a vision to become the world’s most trusted healthcare services network. It is the largest private healthcare provider in Singapore, operating well-known healthcare brand names like Gleneagles, Mount Elizabeth and Parkway. This partnership will offer training and employment opportunities for undergraduate nurses and give them access to join some of the best healthcare operators in the region.
The University of Cyberjaya’s Diploma and Degree Nursing programmes are accredited and recognised by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Ministry of Health. Graduates of this course will be eligible to obtain employment among others as Registered Nurse and Clinical Nurse Specialist in public hospitals and private medical centres.
The University’s Dean for the Faculty of Nursing also debunked the misconception Nurses have with the general public – which is that of administrative staffs or clerks for hospitals and health centres.
“Nurses are highly trained professionals and first responders in the healthcare industry. We train our students to become the best at what they do, but it doesn’t stop there. We have a strong passion in building holistic, competent and professional graduates. We focus on empowering our students to lead communities while having the passion to care for others,” said Professor Raja Lexshimi.