Grab to expand Grabvarsity programme
KUALA LUMPUR: Grab, Malaysia and Southeast Asia´s ehailing transportation and mobile payment platform aims to expand the GrabVarsity programme to more local universities nationwide.
The first of its kind in Malaysia, GrabVarsity is an engagement programme by Grab to ease the lives of tertiary students by addressing their transportation needs and providing lifestyle benefits and rewards, as well as opportunities for them to glean real-life work experience.
Grab Malaysia country head, Sean Goh said to date, the programme had attracted three universities, namely Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Perlis.
“We are acutely aware of the role we play not just in moving the nation forward in transport and payments, but also in developing the country’s young minds.
“Through GrabVarsity, we are helping to create an ecosystem that goes beyond ride hailing benefits as we help bring meaningful long-term impact to tertiary students via economic opportunities to compliment their passion for learning, “he said at the programme launch, here yesterday.
Also present were Higher Education Deputy Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching and Universiti Malaya deputy vice- chancellor (Academic and International), Datuk Prof Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, in his speech text read by Yap, said: “For our young ones to survive and succeed in this fast changing global economy, it is imperative for them to develop time and financial management, and entrepreneurship skills.
“Therefore, the ministry is always supportive of initiatives from corporate companies that enable students to not only gain a degree, but also gain real-life experience that can help them carve a better future.”
GrabVarsity rewards, transport partner, hands-on learning opportunities, and bridging income opportunities.
The GrabVarsity rewards include offerings from Shopee Malaysia, iflix, Photobook Worldwide, Honor, Digi and Pizza Hut.
The transport partner programme aims to ease traffic congestion within and around the university by establishing designated pick-up and drop-off areas whilst providing exclusive promo codes for events like convocations, sports day or festivals.
GrabVarsity also offers apprenticeship placements at Grab Malaysia in developing their professional skills for the future, while students can also participate in a special short-term, studentonly Grab driver programme to earn supplemental income to cover their education fees or student loans.