Wawasan Open University (WOU), through its corporate training arm, WOU Academy, has joined forces with GlobalStory Academy to strengthen the professional competencies of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) trainees in Malaysia’s beauty sector.
Students and alumni of the professional beauty training institution can look forward to enhancing their vocational expertise with professional qualifications and pathways to higher education, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties on 6 October 2026.
The collaboration enables learners to build on their industry skills through WOU Academy’s suite of business, management, and professional education programmes. Under the agreement, WOU Academy will provide structured articulation pathways such as short courses, executive workshops, professional certifications, and microcredentials that can be stacked towards relevant degree programmes offered by the University.
The MoU was signed by WOU Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ts. Dr. Yap Eng Hwa, and GlobalStory Academy Director, Lim Fook Siang.
In his address, Prof. Yap highlighted the importance of accessible, lifelong learning for skilled practitioners:
“Our role at WOU is to help widen what skilled talents can do with the expertise they already have. We see this collaboration as a way to complement GlobalStory Academy’s vision of producing well-rounded graduates by offering knowledge that supports their long-term career ambitions.
“Learners require flexible options as their professional needs evolve. Someone may start with a short course to address immediate operational needs, and later decide to pursue professional certification or formal academic qualifications,” he said.
Academic progression towards formal WOU degree programmes will be subject to standard entry requirements, credit mapping, and relevant regulatory approvals.
Based in Penang, GlobalStory Academy delivers TVET-aligned training in hairdressing, make-up, and nail technology through its Hairstory International brand, equipping students with accredited Level 2 and Level 3 Malaysian Skills Certificate qualifications.
Also present at the ceremony were WOU Chief Operating Officer Dr Beh Kok Hooi, Head of WOU Academy Steven Khor, and Director of HairStory, Derick Ooi Tze Wei.
Following the signing ceremony, Khor (pic below) delivered a briefing on the Microcredential in Entrepreneurship Development, one of the planned offerings under the agreement.
Both institutions also discussed implementation details, participant engagement, joint activities, and immediate follow-up actions.