UMS, Bursa Malaysia In Tie-up To Boost Youth Financial Literacy

LABUAN, June 25 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Bursa Malaysia Bhd are set to work together to enhance financial literacy and practical investment education among university students.

A letter of intent (LOI) between them was signed at UMS Building today in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of UMS’s Stock Trading Competition (STC), a flagship initiative by the International Finance Club of the UMS Labuan Faculty of International Finance. 

UMS Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) faculty of international finance dean, Professor Dr Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal, said the new partnership paves the way for the establishment of the Bursa Young Investor Club (BYIC) at UMSKAL, and confirms UMS’s participation in the Bursa Inter-Varsity Stock Challenge (BISC) 2025.  He said CGS International Securities Malaysia would mentor UMS and act as its official broker throughout the competition.

The LOI was officiated by UMSKAL director Professor Dr Shamsul Bahari Shamsudin and attended by several senior representatives from Bursa Malaysia, including AA Deepa and Saiful Azmi Johan, as well as dealer representatives from CGS International Securities, Ronnie Chai and Ananda Wong.

Dr Tanakinjal highlighted that the LOI was not merely a formal agreement but a strategic collaboration built on a shared vision to cultivate investment awareness, foster financial literacy, and empower students with industry-relevant skills. He said the collaboration would offer students access to structured educational programmes, investment simulation tools, and industry exposure, further strengthening their practical competencies. He reaffirmed UMS’s focus on delivering both theoretical and real-world financial insights.

“The launch of BYIC at UMSKAL will be facilitated by LifeChamp Sdn Bhd, Bursa Malaysia’s appointed programme manager, and supported by the university through facilities and a dedicated faculty advisor.  Meanwhile, Bursa and LifeChamp will provide content, mentoring, and educational resources,” he added.

Dr Shamsul said the collaboration is a shared responsibility to produce a financially literate generation of graduates. “The collaboration marks a milestone in industry-academia engagement, reflecting UMS’s enduring dedication to youth development, national financial resilience, and transformative education aligned with national goals,” he added.

-- BERNAMA