Curtin Malaysia students put financial risk management skills to the test in industry competition

Miri, Sarawak – 3 November 2026 – How can companies protect themselves against financial risks in an increasingly volatile global economy? Students from Curtin University Malaysia’s Faculty of Business explored this question firsthand through a guest lecture and Financial Derivatives Presentation Competition that challenged them to develop practical solutions to real-world corporate financial risks.

Organised by the Faculty’s Department of Accounting and Finance at the Curtin Trading Room, the programme brought together students, academics and industry leaders to bridge the gap between financial theory and professional practice, with a focus on the use of financial derivatives as risk-management tools.

The programme featured a guest lecture, “Managing Corporate Financial Risks: Hedging Strategies in Practice”, delivered by Richard Ling Peng Ling, Chief Executive Officer of Shin Yang Group Berhad.

Drawing on his extensive industry experience, Ling shared insights into how organisations identify, assess and manage financial risks, highlighting the importance of effective hedging strategies in navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain business environment.

A key highlight was the Derivatives Presentation Competition, in which five finalist teams demonstrated how financial concepts could be translated into practical business solutions. Each team was challenged to identify actual financial risks faced by companies and propose appropriate hedging strategies using derivative instruments.

Going beyond technical analysis, the participants also had to present their recommendations in clear, accessible language for a non-finance audience. This approach tested not only their financial knowledge and analytical abilities but also their capacity to communicate complex concepts and make commercially relevant recommendations.

The finalist teams presented their proposals to a panel of industry judges, who evaluated them based on their understanding of corporate challenges, the effectiveness and practicality of their proposed hedging strategies, implementation considerations and overall professionalism. The judges also provided constructive feedback to help the students strengthen their analysis and refine their recommendations.

Dean of the Faculty of Business, Professor Pauline Ho, said the initiative reflects the Faculty’s commitment to developing graduates who can respond confidently to the changing demands of the business world.

“The Faculty of Business is committed to addressing contemporary business issues and nurturing graduates who possess relevant knowledge and can apply it confidently in real-world situations. Activities such as this competition encourage students to move beyond theoretical understanding and develop practical, analytical and communication skills,” she said.

Event organiser Dr. Mohammad Abdul Matin Chowdhury, Lecturer in Finance, said the programme was designed to make the study of derivatives more engaging by placing students in situations that mirror professional financial practice.

“Derivatives can appear highly technical when studied only through formulas and models. This event challenged students to begin with a genuine corporate problem, develop a suitable risk-management response, and explain their recommendations clearly to a non-specialist audience. This is an important capability for finance graduates entering professional practice,” he said.

The Faculty of Business expressed its appreciation to EPF Malaysia for sponsoring the programme and supporting the Faculty’s efforts to provide students with meaningful, industry-relevant learning opportunities. It also acknowledged the contributions of the guest lecturer, industry judges, faculty members and participating students.

Through initiatives that bring industry expertise into the classroom and challenge students to solve practical business problems, Curtin Malaysia continues to strengthen industry engagement and experiential learning, preparing graduates with the technical knowledge, analytical thinking and communication skills needed to navigate the demands of the modern financial sector.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn or TikTok.

Professor Pauline Ho delivering her opening remarks at the event.

Richard Ling sharing industry insights on corporate financial risk management during his guest lecture.

Dr Mohammad Abdul Matin Chowdhury highlighting the value of experiential learning.

Faculty members and participants with guests at the event.

A finalist team presenting its corporate hedging strategy during the competition.