Sabah's Glow Initiative Offers MBA Opportunities to 15 Women Leaders

The Sabah Women’s Advisory Council (MPWS) and the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department (Jhewa) have partnered with North Borneo University (NBU) to provide Master’s degree opportunities to 15 women leaders under the Global Leadership for Outstanding Women (Glow) initiative.

The collaboration aims to strengthen the academic and professional capabilities of selected women participants across the leadership, economy and education clusters. The initiative is part of Sabah’s broader efforts to create more opportunities for women to advance in professional and leadership roles.

Speaking during an official working visit to NBU, MPWS deputy chairman Datuk Fauziah Abu Bakar Titingan said the opportunity will focus on Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs designed for aspiring female leaders.

She said the program is part of the phased Glow empowerment plan launched last year. Selected candidates have undergone a rigorous screening process and leadership mentoring aimed at strengthening their professional skills and leadership capabilities.

NBU Vice-President I and Chief Executive Officer Assoc Prof Doretty R Jiroh welcomed the MPWS delegation and expressed the university’s readiness to deliver the tailored program. The courses will be offered through blended learning, Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) pathways and recognition by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).

Key Highlights:

• 15 women leaders receive MBA opportunities through the Glow initiative
• The program supports leadership, education, entrepreneurship and professional growth
• The initiative aims to build a stronger pipeline of women leaders for Sabah’s future

The latest initiative builds on Sabah’s broader efforts to strengthen women’s participation in education, entrepreneurship and leadership. In April, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor called for more programs in these areas and said more women should be actively involved in the economic, education and leadership fields.

The Chief Minister was also briefed on the Global Women @ Sabah, or Glow@Sabah, leadership program, which aims to identify women with leadership potential and support them in developing their capabilities. The program is part of MPWS’s wider focus on creating opportunities that can strengthen women’s contribution to the State’s development.

MPWS has also positioned itself as a strategic advisory body supporting the Sabah Government in developing policies and strategies for sustainable women’s empowerment. Its programs cover areas including education, entrepreneurship and leadership, with the council seeking to create long-term opportunities for women across different sectors.

The academic partnership with NBU is expected to give selected women an opportunity to strengthen their management knowledge while developing skills that can support their professional and leadership responsibilities. NBU has previously worked with organizations in Sabah on education, training and professional development initiatives, reflecting its role in supporting skills development in the State.

Through the Glow initiative, MPWS is seeking to create a stronger pipeline of women leaders who can contribute to Sabah’s economy, education sector and wider community. The combination of higher education, leadership mentoring and professional development is intended to help participants take on greater responsibilities and build their capacity to contribute to the State’s future growth.