Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) has launched “Program Akar”, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing Malaysia's urgent need for digitally skilled workers. Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), renowned for its Premier Tech University status, has been selected as the first and only university to participate in this 47-day training programme, which begins in July 2024 and concludes in November.

Fifty computing and IT students from APU have been chosen as the pilot cohort to gather insights and refine the programme for future participants. This initiative, powered by AWS re/Start, offers cohort-based workforce development training designed to provide accessible and inclusive digital skills at no cost to participants. The goal is to prepare individuals for careers in the cloud and connect them with potential employers.

“Program Akar” is set to revolutionise the financial services industry by equipping Malaysia’s next-generation talent with essential digital skills. According to recent research by Gallup and AWS, 78% of Malaysian employers will seek digitally skilled workers over the next five years. However, nearly half of all Malaysians surveyed face challenges in accessing affordable digital skills training. Additionally, the Accelerating AI Skills study by Access Partnership and AWS reveals that almost all financial services employers (99%) expect to use AI in the next five years.

In this initiative, AWS will provide training resources, cloud services, and technical expertise, while PayNet will fund the programme and advocate for the integration of industry-relevant skills. World Education Placement Services Sdn Bhd (WEPS) will ensure the curriculum remains up-to-date and industry-focused, delivering the programme from start to finish.

“Program Akar was powered by AWS re/Start Internship Programme and was initiated by PayNet together with WEPS, AWS, and the School of Technology (SoT), School of Computing (SoC), and the School of Accounting and Finance (SoAF) at APU,” said Associate Professor Dr Thang Ka Fei, Senior Head of SoT.

“It is the first of such a programme in Malaysia, and we are extremely proud that it is exclusively offered to APU students,” he said.

Dr Thang elaborated that 50 computing and IT students were selected from about 150 applicants through a stringent assessment and interview process on campus. These students are now qualified as potential computing talents for the financial industry.

“The trainees will undergo 47 days of training, including two days of physical digital payment training and 45 days of virtual learning. Subsequently, they will receive three months of guaranteed placement with financial institutions in the country. The fully sponsored training package is worth RM12,000 for each student,” Dr Thang explained.

The meticulously designed training programme by AWS and PayNet covers foundational cloud skills and digital payments, including programming, networking, security, and databases. Graduates will also complete the industry-recognised AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification Exam to validate their skills.

Upon successful completion of the training, students will receive a Digital Payment Certificate of Completion, AWS re/Start Graduate Certificate of Completion plus a Digital Badge, and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certificate plus a Digital Badge.

Graduates will then receive support in securing internships and job placements in Malaysia’s financial services sector, enabling them to apply their training in the workforce. PayNet and WEPS will connect candidates with roles such as cloud operations, site reliability, infrastructure support, and technical business support functions.

As of now, organisations such as Bank Negara, Maybank, Public Bank, Hong Leong Bank, and Bank Islam have expressed interest in providing internship opportunities to the programme graduates.

The “Program Akar” launching ceremony which was held on July 22nd was attended by Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU, and his faculty members, including Associate Professor Dr Thang Ka Fei, Senior Head of SoT; Associate Professor Dr Tan Chin Ike, Head of SoC; and Associate Professor Dr Chong Lee Lee, Head of SoAF.

VIPs in attendance included Dato’ V Rathakrishnan, Managing Director of WEPS; Mr Mughilen Rathakrishnan, CEO of WEPS; Ms Jun Maria Tan Abdullah, Senior Director of PayNet AKAR; Mr Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet; and Mr Peter Murray, Country General Manager of AWS.

"APU's involvement in 'Program Akar' underscores our commitment to fostering industry-relevant skills and creating pathways for our students to thrive in the digital economy. Our students are well-versed in technical knowledge and possess a strong learning attitude. They will be supported and mentored by our passionate academicians on campus, who are dedicated to disseminating tech knowledge. We are proud to be part of this transformative initiative, and I strongly believe that these students will successfully complete their training module and contribute to the finance sector with their enhanced expertise, complementing their bachelor's degrees," remarked Prof Dr Ho Chin Kuan.