Partnering with UNIQLO for Purpose and Progress

Bandar Sunway, 9 October 2025 – Monash University Malaysia and UNIQLO Malaysia have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration in areas of talent development, industry engagement, and experiential learning opportunities for students.

The partnership marks a step forward in bridging academia and industry, with both parties agreeing to explore collaborations through academic engagement with the School of Business’ Marketing department and the Monash Innovation Guarantee (MIG) — addressing rapid growth and innovation in retail management. The collaboration will also extend to career initiatives and internship opportunities through Monash Malaysia’s Career Services, and the promotion and onboarding of UNIQLO’s Management Candidate (UMC) and Global Management Program (GMP) trainees. Together, these efforts pave new pathways for students to gain real-world exposure with a leading global retail brand.

In his welcome remarks, Professor Dr Nafis Alam, Head of the School of Business at Monash University Malaysia, highlighted the significance of the partnership in shaping future-ready graduates:

“In today’s fast-changing world, partnerships like this ensure that our students not only learn business theory but also experience it in action. Collaborating with a global brand such as UNIQLO opens new opportunities for our students to engage with real business challenges, develop leadership capabilities, and understand what it takes to build a sustainable, people-first organisation.”

Ms. Aramoto Rie, Chief Operating Officer of UNIQLO Malaysia, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration and the shared vision between both institutions:

“People are at the core of everything we do at UNIQLO. This partnership is about creating opportunities for young Malaysians to realise their potential, gain international exposure, and emerge as leaders who can shape the future of retail. By linking academic learning with our real-world practices, and through this partnership with Monash Malaysia, we are unlocking potential and creating opportunities for the next generation of talent.”

Elevating the Student Experience

This partnership offers Monash students new avenues for growth through the following initiatives:

Monash Innovation Guarantee (MIG) in Malaysia – A three-week intensive program that provides students with the opportunity to tackle real-world industry challenges and co-create innovative solutions. As part of Monash University’s Flagship Rich Education Experiences (FREE), MIG brings together students from across disciplines in a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving. The program equips participants with the confidence and skills to address complex, industry provided challenges under the mentorship and guidance of industry partners. Read about our 2024 MIG experience.

UNIQLO Management Candidate (UMC) Program – Designed to nurture the next generation of global business leaders, the program gives graduates full exposure to the end-to-end store management, from people and merchandising to marketing, layout, and inventory management. Through hands-on experience and structured training, participants develop strong leadership and business acumen, progressing quickly toward management roles with full P&L responsibility. Beyond career advancement, the programme instils UNIQLO’s core values of purpose-driven leadership and a commitment to creating positive change through responsible business.

UNIQLO’s Global Management Program (GMP) - Offers selected students a unique opportunity to experience life at UNIQLO’s Ariake office in Tokyo, Japan. This six-day intensive programme brings together top students from around the world to engage with UNIQLO and Fast Retailing leaders, gaining first-hand insights into global retail operations, business strategy, and innovation within one of the world’s leading apparel companies.

The MoU also underscores both parties’ commitment to inclusivity and sustainability by building pathways that are open to students from diverse backgrounds. With programmes ranging from sharing sessions and industry engagements to collaborative curriculum design, the collaboration positions Malaysia as a hub for developing purpose-driven leaders in the retail sector.