Virtual signing seals long term health education collaboration agreement
The Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare College (RSDH College) is set to become a part of UOW Malaysia KDU, joining the University of Wollongong (UOW) global network of higher education campuses and benefiting from UOW’s internationally recognised nursing and health services education while continuing to provide professional outplacement training in Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care hospitals under an agreement announced today.
The transaction—which remains subject to Malaysian government approval—will see UOW Malaysia acquire 100 per cent ownership of Ramsay Sime Darby Healthcare Educational Services Sdn. Bhd. to deliver its nursing and health services programs, including transferring appropriately trained staff and its current 360-strong student cohort.
The proposed acquisition would see the college’s nursing and health services programs be jointly branded, with Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care continuing to provide eligible students with enrolment sponsorships and internship placements at its three hospitals in Malaysia for the next five years.
The college’s existing agreements with other healthcare providers for enrolment sponsorships and internship placements will continue under UOW Malaysia ownership. UOW Malaysia is confident of the college’s capacity for sustained growth in future years and in helping Malaysia meet the growing demand for qualified health graduates.
Once approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education, the agreement will pave the way for the college to be relocated to UOW Malaysia KDU’s Glenmarie campus and benefit from UOW’s domestic and international healthcare education experience.
In addition to UOW Malaysia KDU Penang University College’s 13 years’ experience in delivering the Diploma of Nursing, UOW Australia offers highly-regarded undergraduate degrees in nursing, medical and health sciences, exercise science and rehabilitation, public health, nutrition and dietetics science, neuroscience and pre-medicine as well as postgraduate and PhD programs in medicine, health leadership and other health-related fields. UOW Global Enterprises (UOWGE), the parent company of UOW Malaysia, delivers the Diploma of Nursing at its UOW College in Australia and a Bachelor of Nursing (Bridging) and Master of Nursing at UOW in Dubai.
UOW Global Enterprises Managing Director and Group CEO, Marisa Mastroianni and RSDH Group CEO, Mr Raymond Chong, agreed the transaction brings together complementary strengths in a long-term partnership that will help supply the highly trained workforce needed in Malaysia’s rapidly expanding healthcare sector.
“By combining a world-class, top 200 university with an exceptional, pioneering healthcare provider in South-east Asia, we will be able to offer world-class health education that produces well-trained nurses and health service professionals Malaysia needs,” Ms Mastroianni said.
“We have been cognisant for some time of the education market dynamics and were looking for the right partner to carry forward the strong legacy of the college. This collaboration marks a new chapter for both RSDH and UOW that allows us to leverage on our key competencies and position the college for long-term success, while sharpening the focus of the RSDH platform on the delivery of award-wining private healthcare services in the region”, said Mr Chong.
Opportunities to offer degree level qualifications and pathways for international experiences for students and teaching staff throughout UOW’s global network will be explored in the years ahead.