Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business conducts knowledge sharing workshops for local college students and future teachers

Miri – 25 October 2023 – In today’s fast-paced world, financial literacy is a crucial life skill, and scam awareness is essential to protect individuals from financial fraud and scams. Recognising the importance of these topics, the Faculty of Business of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) took a proactive approach to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need, conducting Financial Literacy and Scam Awareness workshops at Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang and Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia (IPG) ITE Sarawak Campus, Miri (Sarawak Teachers Institute, Miri).

Held consecutively at the campuses of Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang in Tanjong Lobang and the Sarawak Teachers Institute, Miri on Jalan Bakam, the workshops were facilitated by lecturers from the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business, Yip Ka Yii and Dr. Ivy Hii.

“Financial literacy is a critical life skill that empowers individuals to make sound financial choices, save for the future, and achieve their financial goals. However, the rise of increasingly sophisticated financial scams poses a significant threat to individuals’ financial well-being. Our workshops sought to bridge the knowledge gap and equip participants with the tools they need to navigate the complex financial landscape and safeguard their financial assets”, said Yip.

The workshops featured comprehensive sessions on budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management so that the participants could learn practical skills that will help them make informed financial decisions. There were also in-depth discussions on common financial scams, including phishing attacks, Ponzi schemes, and identity theft, which helped them become more vigilant and less susceptible to fraudulent activities.

According to Dr. Hii, the Faculty of Business at Curtin Malaysia believes that financial literacy is a cornerstone of personal and community empowerment. By organising events like the workshops, the Faculty is committed to equipping the future generations with the knowledge and skills necessary to build a secure financial future and protect themselves from scams, she said.

Professor Pauline Ho, Dean of the Faculty of Business, expressed her enthusiasm for this initiative, stating, “At the Faculty of Business, we believe that education should extend beyond the classroom, and that’s why we are excited to offer these workshops to students of other institutions.”

She said the workshops are conducted by experts in the field of finance, ensuring that students receive top-quality instruction. Participants have the opportunity to engage in interactive sessions, ask questions, and participate in real-world case studies.

“We are confident that the knowledge gained from these workshops will benefit students throughout their lives, as they embark on their journeys towards financial independence and secure online interactions,” added Prof. Ho.

Curtin Malaysia is the largest international campus of Curtin University, Australia and its hub in the ASEAN region. As part of a top-ranking global university, Curtin Malaysia offers a comprehensive range of programmes in business, engineering, science, and humanities, supported by world-class facilities and a multicultural learning environment.

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

Group photo of the Curtin lecturers with teachers and students of Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang.

Yip Ka Yii (centre) and Dr Ivy Hii (right) receiving souvenir from staff member of Sarawak Teachers Training College, Miri.