UPNM, NSC Partner To Strengthen Sports And Academic Development

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) and the National Sports Council (NSC) today signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish a strategic partnership to strengthen sports and academic development, especially among national athletes and coaches.

The signing ceremony was witnessed 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, here.

The collaboration focuses on developing work-based learning (WBL) academic programmes to enhance competitiveness and improve the employability of athletes and coaches through the recognition of their skills, experience, and expertise.

This initiative also includes mapping career pathways with existing academic curricula.

In addition, the LoI opens the door 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

Also offered are special admission opportunities into UPNM academic programmes for athletes and coaches, in addition to other fields that will be mutually agreed upon by both parties from time to time.

According to Hannah, the collaboration is in line with the Youth and Sports Ministry’s (KBS) efforts to empower the national sports development ecosystem holistically, including the education 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 told reporters after the event.

Also present were UPNM vice-chancellor Lt Gen Datuk Arman Rumaizi Ahmad and NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin.

The Rakan Muda Turun Kampus programme is a platform for students of higher learning institutions to share their aspirations, views, and ideas on youth and sports development directly with KBS.

Throughout this year, 10 editions of the programme will be held, involving around 5,000 students. The programme also features interactive activities by the Rakan Muda Development Division of the National Youth and Sports Department, with support from Rakita radio station.

This initiative is in line with the values of trust and compassion under the Malaysia MADANI concept, which emphasises the importance of listening to youth voices, addressing their needs, and providing space for young people to contribute to nation-building.

-- BERNAMA