KUCHING : Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and the ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Malaysia have signed a memorandum of agreement to pave the way for the university’s undergraduates to complete the ACCA professional qualification before they graduate through the ACCA Accelerate Program.
Swinburne Sarawak students majoring in the Bachelor of Business (Accounting) or Bachelor of Business (Accounting and Finance) can now undertake papers from ACCA, the international professional accountancy body, in the second year of their degree studies under the ACCA Accelerate Programme.
In the past, students from both programs were required to first complete their degree before they could pursue the ACCA qualification with maximum exemptions granted by ACCA.
Under the current arrangement, eligible students can sit for the last five ACCA Professional Level papers with a maximum exemption of nine papers in the Fundamental Level whilst studying for their degree programme.
This will give students a head start to becoming qualified professional accountants. Through this pathway, they can complete their degree and professional accounting qualification concurrently within three years. Signing the MOA for Swinburne Sarawak was its Deputy Vice-Chancellor and CEO Professor Janet Gregory, while ACCA Malaysia was represented by its Country Head, Mr. Jeyasothy Palakrishnar.
Guest of honour En. Mersal bin Abang Rosli, the Deputy Director Corporate Services and Finance of Yayasan Sarawak, witnessed the exchange of the MOA between Professor Gregory and Mr. Jeyasothy.
“We are certainly pleased that both our accounting degrees are recognised by the ACCA. It is a reflection of the high quality of education we provide,” said Professor Gregory.
“Undoubtedly, acquiring a qualification such as the ACCA will give our graduates a competitive advantage in their career.
“I therefore encourage students who are eligible to consider making full use of this opportunity to obtain an international qualification in addition to their Swinburne degree.”
She said that the ACCA papers at Swinburne will be taught by a team of dedicated and experienced lecturers from Swinburne Sarawak and course materials will also be provided.
“Creating opportunities for our students in their studies and career is at the heart of what we do at Swinburne. We constantly look to establish partnerships and collaborations with business and industry that give our graduates an advantage in the job market.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Country Head of ACCA Malaysia, Mr. Jeyasothy said, “This agreement between ACCA and Swinburne University establishes an accelerated pathway via the ACCA Accelerate Program for outstanding accounting and finance undergraduates from Swinburne University to complete the ACCA qualification and fulfil their aspirations to become chartered certified accountants.”
“ACCA is happy to be able to expand our presence here in Sarawak to provide students in this region with the opportunity to begin their journey towards becoming a professional accountant. We are very pleased to partner with such an influential institution to groom the next generation of leaders skilled to embark on a career full of possibilities.”
Undergraduates from the two programs are required to apply for entry into the ACCA Accelerate Programme through Swinburne.
Successful applicants will have access to benefits such as the waiver of initial registration fees, annual subscription fee for two years up to their graduation year, and deferment of exemption fees up to two years upon graduation.
