- Grab have introduced a new engagement platform for university students called GrabVarsity.
- Available today, GrabVarsity aims to improve the lifestyles university students in Malaysia through a new rewards programme, easier access to transportation, apprenticeship opportunities, and short-term driver programmes for students.
- The platform will launch with the support of Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), and University Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP), with plans to eventually expand to every university in Malaysia.
In an effort to enrich the lives of university students in Malaysia, Grab Malaysia have today announced the launch of their new GrabVarsity platform.
Available as of today, the new platform will offer lifestyle benefits such partner rewards, easier access to transportation within universities, apprenticeship programmes, and new income opportunities to university students.
The platform will accessible online, and will initially cater to students from University Malaya (UM), Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), and University Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP), with plans for further expansion already underway.
“We at Grab are acutely aware of the role we play not just in moving the nation forward in transport and payments, but also in developing the country’s young minds,” said Grab Malaysia’s Country Head Sean Goh at the launch of the platform in Universiti Malaya today.
“Learning and innovation is central to Grab’s culture and we are always on the lookout for initiatives that allow us to solve local problems whilst giving back to our community.”
The GrabVarsity platform will focus on four pillars, namely rewards, mobility, education, and income.
The rewards portion will be introduced in addition to Grab’s existing GrabRewards platform, and students who use Grab’s services will be offered exclusive benefits curated towards their lifestyles.
These benefits and rewards will include offerings from their partner organisations such as Shopee Malaysia, iflix, Photobook Worldwide, Honor, Digi, and Pizza Hut.
In terms of mobility, Grab will partner with universities to reduce traffic by establishing more designated pick-up and drop-off areas and provide exclusive promo codes for events such as convocations, sports days, and other university related happenings.
Then there are also apprenticeship placements that will give students the opportunity to work and gain vital industry experience at Grab Malaysia, with opportunities to go through similar training programmes at their partner organisations also in the pipeline.
“Higher education institutions cannot operate in isolation anymore. It’s where market forces exist that innovation is at its quickest, and where our students will eventually end up,” said Deputy Minister of Higher Education YB Datuk Dr. Mary Yap Kain Ching at the launch.
“The private sector also cannot operate in isolation, as it’s where students go to learn and to develop life experiences.
Finally, the GrabVarsity platform will also allow Malaysian students to participate in exclusive short-term driver programmes to earn supplementary income to help cover their education fees and student loans. Also to be included in this pillar is the convenience of short-term car rentals and other similar incentives.
In reference to being one of the first universities to run with the GrabVarsity platform, Universiti Malaya Deputy Vice Chancellor YBhg. Dato’ Professor Dr. Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud said that the partnership was yet another step forward in developing Malaysia’s education ecosystem.
“As one of the region’s leading educational institutions, we have always been among the forerunners in developing the next generation of Malaysian thinkers,” he said. “A creative, safe, and accessible learning space is critical for our students, faculty, and staff.”
“GrabVarsity is definitely a catalyst for further growth of the university, our students, and the country as our alumni take their place in the world.”
Grab has plans to expand this platform to more institutions in the coming months, with the ultimate target being the availability of GrabVarsity in every university in Malaysia.
- For more information on GrabVarsity, check out the official website.
