REHDA Institute, the training, education and research arm for REHDA Malaysia, is set to work with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) , one of the most prestigious private universities in Malaysia, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a master's degree programme - the Master of Real Estate Development (MRED).

The post-graduate programme is the first of its kind in the country as it caters to the needs of the property development industry with inputs and syllabus contents designed and delivered by the industry. REHDA Institute, in collaboration with UTAR Faculty of Accountancy and Management, is involved hands on in both contents and delivery of specific modules in the master's degree programme.

The Master's degree programme is targeted to commence in May 2019 after approval from the Ministry of Education. The master's degree will be an 18-month programme incorporating modules leaning towards industry practice and exposure, with input from subject matter experts and experienced industry players. Three (3) of the programme's main course papers covering property development processes as well as marketing and sales are custom designed by REHDA Institute Education Taskforce, led by Datuk Charlie Chia.

The Master's programme will be offered at UTAR Sungai Long Campus under the Faculty of Accountancy and Management. Students' enrolment in the programme, administration, teaching, assessments, course materials, teaching resources, curriculum revision and awarding of the Master's degree parchment will be from UTAR. Approvals from the Ministry of Education, implementation and running of the programme to fulfill Ministry's requirements will also be managed by UTAR.

Through this MoU, both parties will work closely to shape the middle and senior management to become the real estate and property development future leaders through seminars, workshops and conferences relating to real estate development and investment, in addition to academic teaching.

Signing on behalf of REHDA Institute is its Chairman, Dato' Jeffrey Ng while UTAR is represented by its President, Ir. Prof. Academician Dato' Dr. Chuah Hean Teik. Also present at the signing ceremony as witnesses are REHDA Institute Datuk Haji Muztaza Mohamad and UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation Academic Development Prof. Ir. Dr. Ewe Hong Tat.

"This master's programme is a part of our contribution in giving back to the industry through education. We have designed it to prepare the industry's workforce to be property development industry leaders of the next generation," said Dato' Ng. He further added that with UTAR's long standing academic and professional excellence, coupled with industry invaluable experience and insights, the Master's degree programme will undoubtedly be the best option for industry players to enhance and build the capacity of their future senior management.

UTAR President Prof. Chuah said, "I believe that UTAR and REHDA Institute have similar vision in the pursuit of educational excellence and the promotion of university-industry collaboration. Through our synergy, let's look forward to closer ties and greater achievements not just in the development of the programme but also in areas of research in the real estate industry."

In addition to the development and establishment of the Master's degree programme, both REHDA Institute and UTAR will also collaborate further in other areas of interests in the property and real estate sector including training and research initiatives by exchanging knowledge, expertise and resources.