Curtin Sarawak students treated to fundamental analysis talk by prominent fund manager

Miri – 11 November, 2009 – As part of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak)’s ongoing efforts to promote learning beyond the classroom, its School of Business’ Department of Economics and Finance recently organised a talk by prominent value investor Tan Teng Boo for its students.

In addition to giving the students the opportunity to acquire knowledge from a highly- experienced industry professional, particularly a first-hand insight into the intricacies and challenges of working in the financial world, the talk also served to promote networking within the financial industry.

Tan is a much sought-after speaker and frequently appears in local and international news interviews. He is the managing director of Capital Dynamics Group, which manages discretionary accounts with institutions, corporations and individuals; manages Main Board-listed icapital.biz Berhad, the iCapital Global Fund (ICGF) and also a newly launched global fund called iCapital International Value Fund. It also provides investment advice in its weekly newsletter, iCapital, and on its investment website,www.icapital.biz. 

In his talk, Tan, who described himself as a ‘student of the stock market’ over the last 38 years, intimated his experiences in the stock market and explained the investing framework -from technical and quantitative analysis methods to the intricate details of fundamental analysis – and what pitfalls to look out for.

The hour-long talk attended by about 90 students, the majority of whom were Year 2 and Year 3 finance students, included case studies demonstrating how material learnt in the classroom can be applied in the industry and how financial statement analyses can be viewed from different perspectives depending on companies’ business models and industries.

Hong Yeh Ping, one of the students who attended the talk, found it a most rewarding learning experience, saying that she learned a lot more than what was covered in the classroom.

Organising chairman of the event, Yeo Tze Sheng, meanwhile said Tan’s talk helped students better understand the link between knowledge acquired in the classroom and actual industry practice. It also encouraged them to challenge conventional wisdom whenever the situation warrants.

“All the students found it very insightful and beneficial. We thank him for taking time from his busy schedule to come all the way to deliver the talk in Miri,” said Yeo.

Curtin Sarawak is committed to helping create a knowledgeable community in Miri and has been actively organising talks on varied subjects for the benefit of both the university community and the public for some time.

Sia Chow Siing, head of the Department of Economics and Finance, expressed hope that with the success of this most recent talk, more prominent speakers like Tan will be invited to give similar talks at the university.

Tan Teng Boo (standing at left) fields questions from students

during Q&A session.

Head of Department Sia Chow Siing presenting a momento to

Tan Teng Boo following the talk.