foodpanda Malaysia collaborates with Manipal Intl. University on tertiary education opportunities for riders

The initiative aims to help delivery partners enhance the skills and qualifications they need to advance their careers, foodpanda said.

Food delivery platform foodpanda Malaysia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Manipal International University (MIU), to provide its delivery riders (also known as 'delivery partners') with an avenue to pursue tertiary education.

The initiative aims to help delivery partners enhance the skills and qualifications they need to advance their careers, foodpanda said on Monday (21 August 2023).

Through this partnership, five riders have been chosen to embark on a two-year sponsored journey to complete their Diploma in Business Management, comprehensive courses offered by MIU; during which foodpanda will provide them with a free laptop and a complimentary hostel stay for the entire journey.

The collaboration, foodpanda said, "aligns seamlessly" with the commitment it has given to the Malaysian government, following a dialogue with Prime Minister YAB Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The session emphasised the need to increase national funding for upskilling, training programmes, and other initiatives aimed at improving the social safety net for the parcel-hailing (p-hailing) rider community.

Commenting on this, Shubham Saran, Head of Logistics, foodpanda Malaysia (pictured above, left), highlighted that the partnership will allow the riders to "tap into the quality and comprehensive education that the institution [MIU] has been offering for over six decades."

"This initiative will complement the many benefits and programmes we have already set in place to grow and upskill our delivery partners," he added.

 Sharing his views, Prof. Dr. Jason Fitzsimmons, Manipal International University’s Vice-Chancellor (pictured above, right), said: "We are honoured to welcome the foodpanda riders into our campus and provide them with such a unique opportunity to transform their lives. This partnership exemplifies the power of education to drive positive change. We hope what we have started today will pave the way for more strategic partnerships in developing the people and overall ecosystem for Malaysia’s gig economy."

Photo: Provided