Universiti Utara Malaysia seals MoU with Professional Golf of Malaysia

Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) added another feather to its cap when, through the UUM National Golf Academy (UUM NGA), it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM). The purpose of the MoU was to further boost the development of golf as a sport, with emphasis on producing professional golfers for the nation.

The Vice-Chancellor of UUM, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Mustafa Ishak, said that he had targeted the next five years within which UUM would develop to become the primary institution with the capacity to produce professional golfers and become the hub for research and development (R&D) in golfing, as well as the leading centre of golfing excellence in the ASEAN region.

“To achieve that goal, UUM is endeavouring to become a model university which will introduce the latest practical applications and practices through the provision of golf programmes at all levels of academic enquiry and the design of co-curricular programmes that utilise golf training modules that meet the methods and needs of the moment,” he said at the opening ceremony of the UUM National Golf Academy and the MoU signing ceremony at the Mu’adzam Shah Hall, UUM, on 11November 2013.

He added that UUM would be introducing a new undergraduate programme, known as the Bachelor of Golf Management, in the next academic year beginning September 2014. This, he said, was in keeping with the focus of the University to ensure that academic development especially that of golf athletes is not neglected.

He added that, through the MoU, UUM would be able to collaborate with PGM particularly in terms of providing golf training to students commensurate with their skills, expertise, and experience so as to promote the sport of professional golf.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of PGM, Tun (Dr) Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, said that the collaborative efforts of the two institutions would, hopefully, produce competent and educated golfers with the capacity to compete in international golf tourneys.

“I am very impressed with UUM’s approach in upgrading the golf industry in Malaysia by way of offering minor courses in golf management as well as short-term certificate courses pertaining to golf club operations, among which are the Certificate in Driving Range Management, Certificate in Golf Club Management, Certificate in Turf Management, Certificate in Golf Coaching Management and Certificate in Golf Event Management.

“The sealing of the MoU is a good first step before we begin work with UUM NGA on planning golf activities of a larger scale such as organising programmes at the national level in the time to come,” he said at the UUM NGA opening ceremony.

Also present at the event were the Director of the UUM NGA, Assoc. Prof. Azmi Shaari, the Deputy Director of the UUM NGA, Mohd Rom Muslim, and senior university officers.