Jesselton University College (JUC) continues to strengthen its commitment to gender equality by encouraging women to apply for higher education and vocational training, particularly in academic and technical fields where female participation remains limited. Through university outreach and strategic collaborations with government agencies, industry partners and community organisations, JUC promotes women’s participation in Business Studies, Computer Systems and vocational education, while supporting their educational aspirations, career advancement and economic independence.
The importance of strengthening women’s participation in business is reflected in Malaysia’s national economic statistics. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), women-owned establishments accounted for only 20.1% of all business establishments in Malaysia in 2022, representing 219,015 establishments nationwide. This highlights the underrepresentation of women in business ownership and reinforces the importance of expanding women’s access to business knowledge, entrepreneurship and professional development. Recognising this gap, JUC encourages women to explore Business Studies as a pathway towards entrepreneurship, leadership, management and greater economic participation.
JUC also recognises the importance of encouraging women’s participation in Computer Systems, information technology and technical vocational education. These fields provide opportunities to acquire practical digital competencies, technical knowledge and skills relevant to emerging industries. By promoting computer systems training and technology-related vocational education, JUC seeks to broaden women’s educational choices and strengthen their opportunities to pursue technical careers and professional development.
As part of its institutional commitment, JUC conducts educational outreach in rural communities across Sabah, particularly reaching young women who may not continue their education after completing secondary school. Financial constraints, geographical isolation, family responsibilities and limited awareness of higher education opportunities can discourage some women from pursuing further studies. Through these outreach initiatives, JUC encourages female school leavers to consider higher education and explore opportunities to obtain academic and professional qualifications.
During these outreach activities, JUC promotes available academic programmes, scholarship opportunities and alternative entry pathways to encourage women to apply for further studies. Particular emphasis is placed on Business Studies, Computer Systems and vocational education, helping prospective female applicants understand how these subjects can support their future employment, entrepreneurship and career development. By engaging directly with rural communities, JUC seeks to reduce barriers to women’s educational participation and encourage applications to academic and vocational fields that women may otherwise overlook.
JUC further strengthens its efforts to encourage women’s educational participation through regional and national collaborations with government agencies, including the Sabah State Government, Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) and HRD Corp. Through government-supported initiatives, JUC promotes vocational education, skills development and career opportunities for women, particularly in business, entrepreneurship and technical fields. These collaborations complement JUC’s university outreach by encouraging women to consider further education and professional training as pathways towards better employment, career advancement and economic independence.
As part of these collaborative efforts, JUC participated in the Sabah Blue Economy SkillFest 2025, held on 19 June 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu. The initiative brought together the Sabah State Government, KESUMA, HRD Corp and various industry and educational stakeholders to promote skills development, career opportunities and workforce participation in Sabah’s emerging blue economy.
The event attracted more than 1,200 participants and featured 46 exhibition booths, providing opportunities for career exploration, industry engagement and professional development. Through its participation, JUC encouraged women to strengthen their workplace skills, improve their professional competencies and explore better employment and career advancement opportunities, particularly in industries where women face barriers to participation. This regional collaboration supported women’s employability, skills development and professional growth while raising awareness of vocational education and lifelong learning opportunities.
JUC also promotes women’s participation in educational innovation through its Teaching Innovation Exhibition, held on 16 April. The exhibition provided opportunities for women to showcase teaching innovations, exchange educational ideas and demonstrate their capabilities in developing creative approaches to teaching and learning. By providing a platform for women to present their knowledge and innovative practices, the initiative encourages continued academic development and strengthens the visibility of women’s contributions to education.
Through collaboration with national training initiatives, JUC also implemented Creative Floristry Design, a vocational training programme that benefited 40 women participants. Supported through Program Latihan Madani and HRD Corp, the programme equipped participants with practical skills in creative design, entrepreneurship and self-employment. The training encouraged women to explore small-business opportunities and income-generating activities, demonstrating how vocational education can provide pathways towards financial independence and professional advancement.
JUC further encourages women’s applications to higher education through its sponsorship of the Unduk Ngadau cultural event, which celebrates women’s cultural identity, confidence, leadership and personal development. As part of this initiative, JUC offers scholarship opportunities to participants who wish to pursue further studies at the University, subject to applicable admission and scholarship requirements.
These scholarship opportunities encourage women from diverse backgrounds to consider academic and vocational programmes, including Business Studies, Computer Systems and other available educational pathways. By connecting community engagement with access to university education, JUC seeks to encourage more women to apply for further studies and explore academic and professional opportunities beyond traditional expectations.
Through these initiatives, JUC adopts an institutional approach to encouraging women’s applications through university outreach and collaboration with government agencies, community organisations and industry stakeholders. Rural outreach activities engage prospective female applicants directly, while collaborative initiatives provide opportunities for vocational learning, career exploration, skills development and educational progression.
JUC remains committed to expanding women’s access to educational opportunities and encouraging greater participation in academic and vocational fields where women face barriers to entry. By promoting Business Studies, Computer Systems and vocational education alongside scholarship opportunities and community-based engagement, the University seeks to empower women to pursue further education, develop professional competencies and strengthen their participation in business, technology and the wider workforce.
