Curtin academics encourage attendees to take control of their personal finances in talk on ‘Empowering Your Financial Literacy Skills’

Miri – 11 July 2023 – Two academics of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia), Michelle Phua and Siti Kasmah Mohamad Kassim, provided valuable insights on taking control of personal finances in a public talk entitled ‘Empowering Your Financial Literacy Skills’ at Pustaka Miri recently.

The engaging event organised by Curtin Malaysia’s School of Pre-U and Continuing Education (SPACE) as part of its ongoing ‘Skills Development’ public talk series was aimed at enhancing financial literacy in the community, equipping attendees with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed financial decisions, ultimately empowering them to achieve financial freedom and stability. The attendees at this talk comprised students, professionals, and individuals of various backgrounds.

During the talk, Phua and Siti Kasmah, who are both commerce lecturers at SPACE, shared their extensive knowledge and experience in the field of personal finance. According to Phua, understanding personal finance is crucial in today’s fast-paced world, where economic uncertainty and rapidly changing financial landscapes can greatly impact individuals’ financial well-being.

Through real-life examples and practical tips, Phua and Siti Kasmah shed light on various aspects of personal finance, including budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. This included building a solid financial foundation using proper budgeting techniques, strategies to develop a savings mindset and establish financial goals, introduction to various investment options and understanding risk management, insights on managing debt responsibly, overcoming financial hurdles and preparing for unforeseen circumstances.

Another highlight of the event was a presentation on Maybank’s digital platforms, particularly its MAE app, by guest speaker Susemah Taha of Maybank’s Miri branch. Susemah highlighted the application’s user-friendly interface and the convenience it offers in managing personal finances.

One of the attendees said the talk was highly informative and engaging. “Whether you are a student in need of practical financial guidance, a young professional striving for financial independence, or an individual looking to enhance your financial knowledge, the talk was very useful. The speakers imparted the necessary knowledge and skills for us to take control of our personal finances and shape our financial future,” she said.

“I was delighted to see the enthusiasm of the attendees towards learning about financial literacy,” said Phua. “By equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to manage their finances effectively, we can empower them to achieve financial freedom and create a better future for themselves.”

Siti Kasmah added, “It was inspiring to witness the engagement and interaction of the attendees during the talk. We aimed to debunk some financial myths and provide them with actionable steps to improve their financial well-being. I am confident that they all walked away  with a newfound confidence in managing their personal finances.”

The next public talk hosted by SPACE and Pustaka Miri will be one entitled ‘Fuelling the Future: Harnessing Biomass’s Potential through Thermochemical Conversion’ from 9 to 11 am on 15 July 2023. It will be delivered by Dr. Bridgid Chin, an associate professor of chemical and energy engineering at Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Engineering and Science. Chin will discuss biomass as a source of fuel and their properties, biomass conversion of fuel, thermochemical conversion of biomass, and recent advancements in pyrolysis and gasification processes, among other topics.

SPACE was established in 2021 with the aim of creating educational and training opportunities for youth so that they can unlock their potential, including foundation and diploma pathways to undergraduate study at Curtin Malaysia and the other Curtin campuses in Australia, Singapore, Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

SPACE also provides professional education for working adults, including corporate training, short courses, and micro-credentials, to enable them to upskill and take their careers to the next level.

To find out more talks by SPACE or the School itself, visit the SPACE website at cmspace.curtin.edu.my, or send an email to cm.space@curtin.edu.my.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit www.curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Michelle Phua delivering her talk

Siti Kasmah elaborating a point during her talk

Susemah Taha of Maybank talking about the MAE app