Curtin Sarawak business students gain insight into banking sector

Miri – 4 May 2011 – A group of students of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak)’s School of Business undertaking a Bank Lending and Practice course paid a study visit to the commercial branch of CIMB located at the Boulevard Commercial Centre here recently.

The visit was designed to give the students the opportunity to have a first-hand look at the daily functions and operations of a bank. Knowledge gained from such visits complement what the students learn in the classroom and help fulfill learning objectives set out at the start of their course.

According to their course lecturer, Charmele Ayadurai, such visits are an essential component of Curtin’s ‘triple-i’ curriculum model which aims to ensure industry links, among other components, are embedded into each course curriculum.

Comprising a mix of local and international students, the group was received by CIMB Branch Manager Chong Chui Teng and commenced their tour of the bank by observing the activities in the banking hall, such as bank officers interacting with customers. They were also allowed to access information on a few of the information kiosks offered at the bank.

Next, the students proceeded to the bank’s share trading floor, where they were able to observe real time share price fluctuations that occur in the financial markets.

Chong later gave the students a briefing on the operations of the bank, such as the wide range of services it offers to the general public and community, as well as corporate, investment and consumer banking and asset management.

She highlighted that CIMB remains one of the most competitive banks in Malaysia due to its innovative range of products, and also the fact that CIMB also operates across borders in Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong, affording travelling customers ease of banking transactions in those destinations.

She also fielded questions from the students regarding the roles played by various banking officers and how they complemented one another; why most banks have centralised operations and how this affects activities such as loans processing; the criteria for access to loans and overdraft facilities; and the various loan options the bank offers the general public, community and corporate business.

In closing, Chong encouraged the students to pursue their studies at the School of Business diligently so that perhaps they too will join the banking sector in the near future.

All the students expressed satisfaction with the visit, saying it was highly beneficial and gave them a valuable insight into the banking sector, as well as a perspective of what lies ahead as they continue their pursuit to become the bankers of tomorrow.

For more information on Curtin Sarawak, visit its website at www.curtin.edu.my.

The Curtin students with CIMB Bank’s Chong Chui Teng and lecturer Charmele Ayadurai (4th and 5th from left, back row).