Curtin Malaysia hosts National Financial Instruments Trading Competition, championing financial literacy and innovation

Miri, Sarawak – 28 September 2024 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) has taken a bold step in advancing financial literacy and promoting innovation with the successful hosting of the inaugural National-Level Financial Instruments Trading Competition. Bringing together some of the brightest minds from higher education institutions across Malaysia and Brunei, the competition underscored Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to preparing future leaders for the complexities of today’s global financial landscape.

The competition not only tested students’ skills in trading but also focused on fostering a deeper understanding of the rapidly evolving world of financial markets, including cryptocurrencies and emerging technologies.

Professor Vincent Lee, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Curtin Malaysia, highlighted the competition’s relevance in an era where financial innovation and risk management are paramount.

“The pace of change in the financial world is staggering, with innovations like cryptocurrencies transforming markets at lightning speed,” said Professor Lee. “This competition is part of Curtin Malaysia’s mission to equip students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge they need to navigate these changes responsibly and effectively.”

He further emphasized Curtin Malaysia’s leadership in financial education and research, pointing to a notable project on developing a Regulatory Risk Index for the Cryptocurrency Market. Supported by a Fundamental Research Grant, this cutting-edge research aims to address the regulatory challenges posed by the volatile cryptocurrency sector.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of shaping the future of finance, not only through education but also through impactful research,” Prof. Lee added.

The competition also captured the attention of Datuk Sebastian Ting, Sarawak Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (Tourism), who commended Curtin Malaysia’s efforts to promote financial literacy and responsible financial behaviour.

“In a time when scams and speculative ventures are proliferating, especially in the cryptocurrency space, it’s crucial that we educate our young people on sound financial principles,” Datuk Ting said during his speech at the closing ceremony. He also encouraged collaboration between universities to build stronger financial frameworks and policies for Malaysia’s future.

The event drew 16 teams from prestigious institutions including the University of Wollongong Malaysia, Sunway University, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kota Kinabalu, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM),USCI University Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, as well as Curtin Malaysia, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), and Kolej International Graduate Studies in Brunei Darussalam.

The competition’s top prize went to Lai An Xuan and Wong Wun Kei from UTAR, who secured the first-place win and a RM2,000 cash prize. Close on their heels were Vergenia Wong Fung Ling and Siti Nafisah Mohd Nor from UiTM Kota Kinabalu, taking second place with RM1,600, followed by Chew Li Yin and Azzaro Nazizi from Sunway University, who claimed third place and RM1,200.

In addition to student participants, notable attendees included Sarimah Ramthandin, Director and Head of Innovation, Advisory, and Industry Engagement of the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC) representing Chief Executive Officer Tengku Zarina Tengku Chik, alongside Salleh Hassan, SIDC’s Director and Head of Professional Standards and Qualifications. Also present were Syazni Idris, Manager, Certification & Qualification of SIDC; Professor Pauline Ho Poh Ling, Dean of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business, and Dr. Dhanuskodi Rengasamy, Head of the Department of Accounting, Finance, and Economics.

Following this highly successful event, Curtin Malaysia remains committed to fostering financial literacy and innovation through both competitive platforms like this and its ongoing research initiatives, ensuring that today’s students are well-prepared to become tomorrow’s financial leaders.

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

Key event figures, including Salleh, Sarimah, Prof Lee, Datuk Ting, Prof Ho and Dr Dhanuskodi, pose with the participants and lecturers

Datuk Ting presents a mock cheque to the first-place winners from UTAR as prof Ho looks on

The second-place team from UiTM receives their award from Datuk Ting with Prof Ho present

Third-place winners from Sunway University proudly accept their cash prize