MOU PAVES WAY FOR MONASH UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA AND HONG LEONG BANK COLLABORATION

Petaling Jaya, 31 October 2014 - A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between Monash University Malaysia and Hong Leong Bank at the university today. Through the MOU, students at Monash Malaysia who aspire to be financiers, will have the opportunity to apply for an internship with the bank, starting from 2015. These students will be interns attached with the various departments within the bank, enabling them to experience first hand, what working in a financial institution is like. They will be able to develop professional as well as technical skills, and to apply theoretical knowledge learned in classrooms, to the real world. “For knowledge transfer and application to issues faced in the related line of work, it is essential for universities to partner with industry specialists. This collaboration will provide students with the chance to explore career options as well as make more informed decisions about their career development,” shared Professor Helen Bartlett, Pro Vice-Chancellor and President of Monash University Malaysia. The 2-year MOU will encourage students to undertake work experience placement within Hong Leong Bank, with the financial institution agreeing to take up to 10 placements a year. “Hong Leong Bank places a strong emphasis on education and development, both internally and within the communities where we operate. I am delighted to strengthen our relationship with this world-class university and the joint initiatives under the MoU will make a valuable contribution towards building a knowledge-based economy,” shared Foong Pik Yee, an alumna of Monash University Australia and current Chief Financial Officer of Hong Leong Bank Berhad. Hong Leong Bank Berhad was represented by Foong Pik Yee, Chief Financial Officer, and Monash University Malaysia was represented by Professor Helen Bartlett. Witnesses of the signing were Terence Lee, HLBB Head of Talent , Learning & Development, and Dr Susheela Nair, Registrar of Monash University Malaysia.