KUALA LUMPUR, 1 August 2025 – The Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) today launched the MRCA Academy Scholarship 2025, a comprehensive programme offers 100 fully funded scholarship places through partnerships with Sunway University, London Examinations Board, Perbadanan Nasional Berhad (PERNAS), and INTI International University & Colleges.
The scholarship is exclusively for full-time employees of MRCA member companies. To qualify, applicants must be certified by the program’s partners, and the scholarship offers industry-recognised certifications.
Scholarship recipients can choose from four industry-focused qualifications, including the Micro-Credential in Retail Marketing, Micro-Credential in F&B Management, Executive Diploma in Retail Management, and Executive Diploma in Franchise Operation, each designed to equip participants with practical skills tailored to Malaysia’s dynamic retail and food & beverage sectors.
“This initiative reflects MRCA’s deep commitment to nurturing talent in the retail and franchise sectors,” said MRCA President Datuk Dr Ken Phua. “We believe in empowering our workforce with practical skills and recognised qualifications that fuel both individual and industry growth.”
This scholarship initiative is expected to enhance professional capabilities across Malaysia’s retail workforce, contributing to improved industry standards and competitiveness. Successful graduates will join a network of professionally qualified retail practitioners, positioning them for career advancement and enabling their companies to achieve operational excellence.
The scholarship programme was funded by the proceeds from MRCA’s CNY Gala Dinner 2025, which successfully raised RM348,076 through auctions. This demonstrates how industry celebrations can be transformed into meaningful educational opportunities through the MRCA Branding Education Charity Foundation.
As part of the broader initiative, the Foundation has also separately given out RM10,000 each in direct financial assistance to two deserving students: Lee Chun Ket (Brayan), who is pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, and Meekesh Rueban A/L Nagayah, who is pursuing a Diploma in Interior Design.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of mock cheques totaling RM10,000, with RM2,500 going to each of four deserving charity home namely the Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rumah Warga Emas Gemilang, Rumah Kasih, Pertubuhan Pendidikan Anak-Anak Yatim Selangor (Rumah Bakti Dato’ Harun), and Hospis Malaysia. The funds were raised from our recent MRCA Charity Golf event 2025 at Bangi Golf Resort, underscoring MRCA’s commitment to significantly contributing to the welfare of many.
The announcements were made during the bi-monthly MRCA Members’ Meeting, which featured presentations by participating members as well as guest speakers from the industry and government. Among the attendees was Tourism Malaysia Senior Director and Head of the Visit Malaysia 2026 Secretariat, Encik Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim.