Sunway University leads the way in graduate employability and Asean university rankings
The university is especially recognised for excellence in Business, Accounting, Computer Science, Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Communication and Psychology.
Talentbank's National Graduate Employability Index serves as a benchmark for evaluating the employability of graduates from higher education institutions in Malaysia.
The index is based on employer surveys that explore key aspects such as preferred universities for recruitment, the number of graduates hired and whether employers intend to continue hiring from the same institutions.
This latest achievement comes shortly after Sunway University was also named the top non-government linked private university in Asean by the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2025. The varsity made a remarkable leap from its previous placement in the 201–250 band to being ranked #141 in Asia, solidifying its position among the Top 150 universities in the region.
Sunway University president Prof Sibrandes Poppema said, 'Being recognised once more as Malaysia's leading university for graduate employability plus the huge recognition from Times Higher as the number one non-government linked private university in Asean, reaffirms our mission to deliver education that is relevant, forward-thinking and deeply connected to industry needs.
'These achievements are also underpinned by our Sunway Signature Collection project, bringing together a portfolio of programmes which include career-focused content, live projects and hands-on experiences, empowering students to shape their own career paths with confidence.
'Coupled with Sunway University's education and research efforts, we aim to create local and global impact that are aligned to improving lives and driving sustainable development for a healthier planet,' he added.
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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Gold holds firm as crypto gains ground
KUALA LUMPUR: As inflationary pressures, rising living costs, and a weaker ringgit weigh on households, more Malaysians are diversifying their portfolios with gold and cryptocurrencies, signalling a gradual shift in investor behaviour toward alternative assets Economists say the shift reflects both structural and demographic factors. Gold continues to be the more established and trusted option, especially among retirees and conservative investors. While millennials - armed with digital literacy and a higher risk appetite - are more inclined toward cryptocurrencies, it is the middle- and upper-income groups, with their larger savings pools, that are ultimately driving overall investment flows. They agree that while alternative assets may help diversify portfolios, gold remains a safer haven than volatile cryptocurrencies. For Malaysians balancing inflation worries with wealth preservation, the choice of hedge often depends as much on risk appetite as on market cycles. Gold has long been viewed as a hedge, not only against inflation but also broader uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions, de-dollarisation, climate change and trade wars, said Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng. "Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and, more recently, stablecoins that are promoted by governments such as the US are fast emerging as alternative assets. Although highly speculative and characterised by volatile prices, these digital financial assets are also seen by savvy investors as a shield against government abuse of fiat money through uncontrolled money and debt creation," he said. However, Dr Yeah cautioned that cryptocurrencies carry significant risks. Unregulated markets are vulnerable to fraud, manipulation and cyberattacks. Even under regulation, crypto assets remain prone to speculative bubbles and crashes, rendering these assets inherently more volatile than traditional assets such as precious metals. If the market size grows large, a collapse could destroy wealth on a scale that threatens financial stability, he told Business Times. Macroeconomic conditions remain a key driver. According to Dr Yeah, factors such as a softening ringgit, rising interest rate volatility, and geopolitical shocks amplify the push toward asset diversification. "The greater the macro risks, the stronger the drive towards diversification into alternative assets, either to enhance capital preservation or achieve the expected returns in line with the risk level while protecting the performance of the investment portfolio in the event that any of the risks materialises," he noted. Beyond financial returns, some investors are weighing environmental and ethical considerations. "Astute and well-informed investors will consider the likelihood the specific ESG, ethical or environmental risks of crypto mining versus gold mining will crystallise and impact their prices and valuation. They will have to draw upon the environmental impact assessment by experts and weigh the likelihood of occurrence and severity of the impact to make an informed decision," he said. Regulatory authorities, meanwhile, have taken a light-touch approach. Apart from promoting financial literacy and ensuring sound markets, Bank Negara Malaysia and other agencies generally refrain from intervening in asset preference shifts. "The shift toward gold and digital assets is driven by investors' preference and the emergence of new asset classes in the rapidly changing economic, financial and investment landscape," Dr Yeah said. Echoing the view, Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said anecdotal evidence suggests crypto investors often see themselves as trendsetters or more forward-looking, while traditionalists still favour gold. "Conversely, some of the old-fashioned ones would invest in gold. I think more are speculating in the stock markets, with some, as mentioned above, investing in crypto or precious metals. Those investing in crypto are typically more speculative or even gambling-minded. Many knowingly go into crypto-themed money games thinking that they would get lucky while the downlines would suffer," he said. Dr Oh added that interest in both gold savings accounts and crypto trading platforms tends to spike during bull runs. "If they spot one, the uptake for such investments would typically increase," he said. Investors often chase momentum rather than fundamentals, he said, noting that political moves abroad, such as the US administration's tilt toward crypto, can also fuel demand. On whether the government or Bank Negara Malaysia are taking action or issuing guidance on the growing shift toward gold and digital assets, he said the monetary authorities appear to be cautiously encouraging legitimate investments in cryptocurrencies and digital currencies." Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said Malaysian investors are increasingly turning to gold and cryptocurrencies as alternative asset classes, lured by attractive returns and growing accessibility. "From my general observation, the demographics are wide-ranging, as people have become more accustomed to technology, where information such as gold and crypto prices is widely available on various platforms. So investors can actually make an informed decision despite the volatility," he said. With fixed deposit (FD) rates still relatively low, Dr Afzanizam believes digital assets and precious metals are becoming the "go-to" options for those seeking capital preservation. "I think the risk appetite for Malaysian investors has gone up. Traditional investments such as stocks, bonds and real estate will remain but now people will have more options," he said. When asked whether investors view both assets as safe havens, he stressed their differing fundamentals. "Gold and crypto have different characteristics. One is a precious metal that has intrinsic value and at one point it was used as a means to back the value of the US dollar during Bretton Woods in the 1940s until such an arrangement was dismantled in the early 1970s. The other is digital assets, whose sources of return are based on volatility," he explained. Dr Afzanizam also underscored the need for regulation. "Gold investment is being regulated by the authority, such as Bank Negara, as the products are being offered by the financial institutions. I'm not too sure about crypto." He added that demand is visible on the ground, with banks and fintech players reporting rising interest in both gold savings accounts and cryptocurrency trading. "We have been receiving a lot of queries and gold investment is one of the key products that are highly demanded by the customers," he said. Olive Tree Property Consultants executive director Tan Wee Tiam said the rising popularity of gold and cryptocurrencies in recent years is being driven by high inflation, easier access to digital trading platforms, and the growing need for portfolio diversification. He noted that sentiment continues to clearly separate the two asset classes. Gold, with centuries of history as a store of value, is still viewed as the ultimate safe haven – particularly in times of economic or geopolitical turmoil. Cryptocurrencies, while increasingly mainstream, are largely seen as speculative instruments whose returns hinge on volatility," Tan said. This distinction, he added, is reinforced by regulation. Gold investments in Malaysia are well established and tightly regulated, typically offered through banks and financial institutions. Cryptocurrencies, however, remain in a regulatory grey zone – an uncertainty that adds to investor caution. Although hard data is limited, Tan said anecdotal evidence points to rising demand. Local banks and fintech platforms have reported increased interest in gold savings accounts and crypto trading services, with a noticeable surge in investor queries and inflows since early 2025. "Cryptocurrency is typically associated with higher risk and is often appealing to investors or entities looking for greater autonomy or less traceability. Regulatory ambiguity only adds to this risk. In contrast, gold is a time-tested asset with well-established regulations, giving investors greater confidence, especially in times of geopolitical or economic instability." Tan also pointed to macroeconomic headwinds as catalysts for the shift. "While the relationships are complex, elements such as a weakening ringgit, global uncertainties, and shifting interest rates are certainly influencing investors to explore beyond traditional asset classes," he said.
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Daily Express
Prudent AI policies needed to reduce income inequality, says economist
Published on: Thursday, August 14, 2025 Published on: Thu, Aug 14, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Economist Yeah Kim Leng said AI co-pilots can boost productivity for technicians, nurses, teachers, frontline civil servants and micro-entrepreneurs. (File pic) PETALING JAYA: An economist says while artificial intelligence (AI) can spur economic growth, it can also worsen income inequality by raising demand for employees with the requisite AI skills and their salaries while displacing mid-skill clerical roles. Sunway University's Yeah Kim Leng said as such, prudent AI policies to achieve high adoption and readiness were imperative to reducing wealth and income inequalities. His comments come amid global concerns about rising income inequality due to the proliferation of AI. According to a 2024 International Monetary Fund report titled 'Gen AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work', higher-income earners in jobs with high AI complementarity are likely to benefit the most from such emerging technology. Yeah noted that large and medium-sized enterprises with 'data, capital and cloud access could leverage AI to scale up, thereby squeezing small firms' margins'. 'However, with the right policy moves to simultaneously achieve high AI adoption and readiness, AI can have a positive impact on narrowing income and wealth inequality in the country,' he told FMT. Yeah said AI could, for example, be used to shift reskilled workers to higher-value jobs to narrow the income gap. 'AI co-pilots can boost productivity for technicians, nurses, teachers, frontline civil servants and micro-entrepreneurs. 'Toolkits customised according to industry sectors could also raise margins for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises,' he said. Yeah also advocated the creation of a shared 'AI commons', or a platform or knowledge hub with open datasets and sector-specific starter models to promote broader adoption and equitable benefits. On Tuesday, digital minister Gobind Singh Deo said the government was working to expand its free AI literacy programmes nationwide to benefit a wide range of people, from rural schoolchildren to urban professionals. He said a core part of Malaysia's vision was to close the divide between those with access to AI tools and infrastructure and those without. 'The government is committed to making such tools more affordable for all citizens and ensuring that AI-powered services are priced and distributed in ways that enable broad adoption by all income levels,' he said in his keynote speech at the Asean AI Malaysia Summit. Gobind also said Malaysia's commitment to AI affordability extended across its borders, as disparities threaten to deepen the AI divide across Asean. 'These efforts are not just about national progress. They are part of a shared Asean commitment. Across Southeast Asia, disparities in computing power, affordability, talent pipelines and relevant datasets risk creating an uneven AI landscape. 'By embedding affordability into our national AI strategy through open access initiatives, shared infrastructure models and collaborative procurement, Malaysia intends to contribute to a regional approach where no member state is left behind,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
31-07-2025
- Barnama
Scrapping High-Value Goods Tax Will Not Affect RM700 Mln Revenue Target
Credit: Unsplash Scrapping High-Value Goods Tax Will Not Affect RM700 Mln Revenue Target – Economist By Niam Seet Wei KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- The government's decision to halt the proposed high-value goods tax (HVGT), formerly known as the luxury goods tax, will not affect the RM700 million tax revenue expected from its implementation, said an economist. Sunway University economics professor Dr Yeah Kim Leng said the move will instead ease concerns over the potential impact of the tax on consumer and tourist spending, as its incorporation into the existing expanded Sales and Service Tax (SST) has removed uncertainty over which items are subject to tax. He explained that since the principles of the HVGT have been integrated into the expanded SST structure, where luxury and discretionary items are now taxed at five or 10 per cent, the rates are effectively the same as those proposed for the HVGT in Budget 2023. 'The revenue target will not be affected as the same SST rate will be applied without the need to define which goods are considered high value,' Yeah told Bernama. The Ministry of Finance (MOF), in a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday, said the government has decided not to proceed with the HVGT implementation. However, it said the principles of the HVGT have been retained under the revised sales tax structure, where luxury and discretionary goods are now taxed at five or 10 per cent. The HVGT was first introduced in the revised Budget 2023, tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in February 2023. HVGT was initially scheduled for implementation in May 2024 with the proposed tax rates ranging from five per cent to 10 per cent. The government projected that this tax would generate an additional RM700 million in annual revenue. -- BERNAMA
