Alliance Bank Strengthens AEIOU Programme With Biodiversity Module, Logo Design Competition
By Danni Haizal Danial Donald
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Alliance Bank Malaysia Bhd has introduced an enhanced version of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, called “AEIOU for Responsible Living”.
This enhanced initiative focuses on biodiversity and was first introduced in selected schools in Sabah. It aims to expand to more schools nationwide by the end of next year.
This initiative is being developed in collaboration with the youth-led environmental conservation movement, Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Malaysia.
Alliance Bank Group Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer Dr Aaron Sum said the new module aims to nurture young eco-leaders with both practical money management and ecological sensitivity and skills.
“Too often, people assume that if development advances, the environment must lose or vice versa; what we are trying to show is that there is a better, more sustainable approach to development and activities, including financial decisions we make daily, which also have an impact on the environment.
“Therefore, we introduced a new chapter in the curriculum focused on biodiversity, presented through storylines and comic strips to better engage the younger generation and hope to instil values that shape a more responsible future and to show that every little effort helps in conserving the environment,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently.
The biodiversity module has been piloted in 17 schools in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and Tuaran, Sabah, to test its relevance, get feedback and refine the module before a large-scale roll-out next year.
The introduction of the new module is also being supported by the Sabah State Education Department, Sabah State Treasury Department and Ministry of Education.
“They were immersed in the sharing sessions by the experts from Roots and Shoots and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, through real stories of wildlife conservation and sustainability.
“Students also pledged their commitment to preserving the natural biodiversity, and all of them had a chance to play and compete with each other through the ‘Eco Heroes’ board game and pitch the eco-friendly products they developed in the last leg of the competition,” said Aaron.
Following the positive engagement in Sabah, he said Alliance Bank aims to roll out the module in phases, ensuring it reaches more young Malaysians and inspires them to take action for the environment.
“The programme is aligned with our sustainability agenda, which is a big part of our Acceler8 strategy. We have always been a proponent of lifelong learning and sustainability, and as a financial institution, that is our way of giving back to the community,” said Aaron.
Furthermore, he said that there were also plans to expand this module to other schools across the country.
AEIOU Financial Literacy, a flagship CSR programme by Alliance Bank, was first introduced in 2015 and has engaged over 180,000 primary school students nationwide to date.
In conjunction with the programme’s 10th anniversary, Alliance Bank will be organising the AEIOU Logo Design Challenge.
The competition runs from Sept 22 until Nov 30, 2025, and is open to all schoolchildren aged 9-12 years old.
Cash prizes include RM2,000 for the first prize, RM1,500 for the second prize and RM1,000 for the third prize. Entries can be submitted through AEIOU’s website https://www.alliancebank.com.my/aeiou-logo-design-challenge.
Since its inception, AEIOU continues to engage the communities, ensuring all children have access to basic and vital financial education resources, promoting the importance of lifelong learning in line with the Ministry of Education’s 2027 School Curriculum framework.
The programme was recently acknowledged in a parliamentary session by Deputy Minister of Education Wong Kah Woh for the positive impact it has had on the Malaysian schoolchildren.
-- BERNAMA