PayNet’s Akar Programme VDEP Ideathon 2025 provided a platform for APU students to apply their learning, honing teamwork and problem-solving skills while also providing invaluable practical experience for careers in digital finance, including essential Amazon Web Services (AWS) technical skills, values-based training, and critical internships in the Financial Services Sector.

The Value Driven Enrichment Program (VDEP) Ideathon 2025 successfully brought the curtain down on PayNet’s Akar Programme, an initiative steadfastly committed to cultivating digitally skilled professionals for Malaysia’s burgeoning Financial Services Sector (FSS). 

Launched in 2024 by Payments Network Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PayNet), the Akar Programme has been instrumental in equipping Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) students with vital Amazon Web Services (AWS) technical training and invaluable internship opportunities at leading institutions, including Bank Negara Malaysia, Maybank, and Public Bank.

Prior to the Ideathon, a crucial VDEP was held on 22 February 2025, specifically designed to embed the core values and competencies essential for success in the FSS. 

This foundational event focused on shaping values-based professionals, ready to tackle the complex challenges inherent in digital finance. 

Students benefited immensely from being paired with experienced industry coaches, gaining diverse real-world insights that encouraged reflective practice and significantly contributed to their personal and professional growth.

A fusion of innovation and values

The Ideathon served as the exhilarating culmination of the Akar Programme, offering a dynamic platform for students to apply their acquired knowledge in a collaborative and creative setting. 

Its key objectives were to raise awareness about workplace values, foster understanding of core principles through enjoyable, self-directed learning, and enhance critical skills such as teamwork, creativity, and communication. 

Crucially, the Ideathon encouraged the real-world application of values-driven behaviours within professional scenarios.

Participants showcased exceptional creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving prowess as they grappled with pertinent challenges within the financial services sector. 

The champion team, comprising Chong Ming Xuan, Ooi Hong Ping, and Tan Huen Yin, earned a commendable cash prize of RM500. 

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The first runner-up team, Andrew Chia Jun Hao, Lee Juen Jiet, Noor Hanani Adnan received RM300; whilst the second runner-up team, Evone Lee Yi Wen, Loh Wei Loon, and Ng Zheng Jie took home RM200. 

Additionally, a consolation prize of RM100 was awarded to the team consisting of Chung Li Qing, Foo Yu Kean, Sean Khoo Khai Jin, and Someshwar Saravanan. 

Impact and Inspiration

The profound impact of the Akar Programme and Ideathon resonated deeply with the participants.

Chong Ming Xuan, a member of the winning team, lauded the programme as “fantastic”, particularly highlighting the acquisition of the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification and the invaluable connections to banks for internships and job prospects. 

He added, “The VDEP was a fun way to learn essential power skills that go beyond textbooks, while the Ideathon allowed us to apply those skills by collaborating and presenting solutions in a real-world setting.”

Tan Huen Yin found the entire journey “incredibly enlightening”, crediting the programme for boosting his self-assurance, improving teamwork abilities, and providing practical industry experience through his internship. 

He emphatically stated, “Among all the priceless memories, winning first place in the Ideathon by presenting in a real workplace setting was truly an unforgettable experience. All of the programmes significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth.”

Ooi Hong Ping echoed similar sentiments, describing the PayNet Akar programme as “an incredibly valuable and enriching journey”. 

He noted how it pushed him out of his comfort zone, immersing him in the fintech industry and fostering engagement with participants from diverse backgrounds. 

“It combines the sense of purpose and the national impact of the program towards the digital financial inclusion needed for a country to grow,” he reflected.

Sean Khoo Khai Jin extended his gratitude to PayNet and APU, simply stating, “Thank you once again for your generosity and for the opportunity to participate in the Ideathon. It was a pleasure to be involved.”

The seamless execution and resounding success of these initiatives owe much to the meticulous coordination and unwavering dedication of Ms Tham Hoong Ching and Ms Hemalata Vasudavan from APU’s School of Technology (SoT). 

Their collaborative efforts with PayNet ensured that the Akar Programme was not only technically enriching but also profoundly values-centric, meticulously preparing students to lead with integrity in Malaysia’s dynamic digital finance landscape.