Kuala Lumpur, 12 January 2026 – Ernst & Young PLT and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) today formalized a strategic collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at elevating the quality of accounting education, strengthening talent readiness and expanding exposure to industry relevant skills, including emerging capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI).

The MoU establishes a three-year framework for both organizations to collaboratively improve the learning ecosystem within MARA’s Diploma in Accounting (DIA) program. Through industry-aligned curriculum input, structured student development initiatives and targeted career pathways, the collaboration aims to build a sustainable pipeline of future-ready Bumiputera accounting professionals. 

Under the MoU, EY and MARA will collaborate across four key areas:eating pathways for DIA students to EY’s internship and graduate opportunities through the Centralized Audit Delivery Team (CADeT) and Centralized Tax Delivery (CTAx) Team, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Providing structured student engagement activities, including career talks, guest lectures, office immersion visits and capability-building sessions.
• Facilitating academic-industry knowledge sharing, where EY professionals engage with DIA lecturers to align academic delivery with evolving industry practices, including developments in AI applications for accounting. 
• Supporting early identification of top DIA students across higher education campuses for potential profiling to EY. 

“At EY, we believe that developing future-ready talent begins with meaningful collaboration between industry and education. Our collaboration with MARA allows us to equip students with the practical exposure, AI-related capabilities and professional mindset required in today’s fast-evolving business environment.

“We are proud to contribute to strengthening Malaysia’s accounting talent pipeline and supporting MARA’s long-standing mission of empowering Bumiputera students. Together, we look forward to shaping a generation of ethical, agile and industry-ready professionals,” said Ahmad Qadri, Malaysia Financial Services Leader; and Partner, Ernst & Young PLT.  

“The exchange of the MoU today goes beyond the formalization of a strategic partnership and reflects the shared commitment between MARA and EY in developing future ready accounting professionals. This collaboration underscores MARA’s aspiration to nurture globally competitive, technologically adept and ethically grounded accounting talent. In line with MARA’s Institution, Industry and Internationalization (3i) strategy, MARA remains committed to strengthening industry linkages to enhance its education ecosystem for the benefit of students, institutions and national development,” said Ir. Dr. Mahzan Teh, MARA Deputy Director General.

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