A new scholarship programme aimed at widening access to professional degree courses for students from lower-income households has been launched through a partnership between BAC Education Group and Zico Trust (M) Berhad. The initiative targets students pursuing degrees in law, accounting and finance, and business administration, offering financial support to ease tuition burdens.
Under the scheme, Zico Trust will cover the full tuition fees for 10 students across selected programmes, with the total sponsorship valued at more than RM160,000 annually. The scholarships are renewable throughout the three-year duration of the respective courses.
Specifically, the scholarships will benefit six students enrolled in the University of London International Programme’s Bachelor of Laws degree through BAC in Malaysia. Additionally, two students pursuing a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance and two studying for a Bachelor of Business Administration, both through Veritas University College, will receive similar support. The latter business administration degree is delivered via an open and distance learning format.
Eligibility for the scholarships is limited to students from B40 household income groups—those belonging to Malaysia’s bottom 40 percent income bracket—who show strong academic performance and maintain good disciplinary standing. Scholarship recipients are also required to commit to a one-year employment bond with Zico Trust upon completing their studies.
The partnership was formalised in a memorandum of understanding signed on September 7 by BAC Education Group co-founder and chief future officer Raja Singham S. Sukumara Singham and Zico Trust chairman Tan Sri Dr Mazlan Lazim.
In remarks accompanying the launch, Raja Singham emphasized the evolving demands on education in a rapidly changing world. He highlighted the need for students to possess adaptability and technological literacy, especially as artificial intelligence reshapes work and decision-making processes. “Education must prepare students not just for current jobs but for future opportunities and challenges,” Raja Singham said.
Tan Sri Dr Mazlan Lazim underscored the transformative role education can play in individuals’ lives and stressed that financial hardship should not hinder access to quality education. He expressed hope that the scholarship would provide recipients with greater financial stability and opportunities for professional growth through internships and career development at Zico Trust after graduation. “We want these students to pursue their ambitions with confidence, build meaningful careers, and ultimately contribute positively to their communities,” he added.
The initiative seeks to help bridge the gap for underprivileged students aspiring to enter competitive professional fields, contributing to Malaysia’s broader goals of inclusive education and workforce development.