Latest news with #ProgramAkar
The Star
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
AI-driven ‘Akar' to shape finance talent
Rooting for growth: (Second row) PayNet Akar senior director Jun Maria Abdullah Tan (fifth from left), Farhan (ninth from left) and Si (10th from left) at the launch. TO future-proof the financial services industry, continual efforts must be made to build a pipeline of digitally skilled, industry-ready talent. In response to this need, Program Akar – a national talent development initiative by Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) – was recently expanded with a new phase focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. Designed around a three-pillar curriculum, the programme will welcome 100 participants in its first cohort – starting with 25 students from Multimedia University (MMU) and expanding to 75 students from other local universities by the end of the year. The first pillar of the curriculum focuses on values-driven enrichment, which involves cultivating leadership, integrity and a future-ready mindset. The second pillar covers digital payment knowledge, including the evolution of money, banking systems, digital payments and transaction security. The third pillar centres on AI and data science mastery, combining foundational knowledge with critical thinking and real-world applications. Program Akar was launched in collaboration with Amazon Web Services in July last year, with a focus on digital payments and cloud technologies. This second instalment, which broadens the programme's focus to include AI and data science, is powered by Microsoft as part of its 'AI for Malaysia's Future' (AIForMYFuture) skilling initiative. The event, which kicked-off on April 25, was attended by PayNet group chief executive officer Farhan Ahmad, MMU Market Exploration, Engagement and Touchpoint vice president Prof Dr Zulfadzli Yusoff, and Microsoft Malaysia managing director Laurence Si, who shared insights into the importance of future-ready talent in Malaysia's journey towards a digital economy. Farhan said Program Akar is about more than preparing students for jobs – it's about preparing them to lead Malaysia's digital economy with purpose. 'At PayNet, we see talent development as national development. By equipping our youth with future-proof digital skills and connecting them to meaningful industry opportunities, we're strengthening Malaysia's financial ecosystem and building long-term economic resilience,' he said in a press release. Si said AI is transforming every role in every industry, including financial services. 'By collaborating with PayNet through Program Akar, we're helping to build a generation of talent equipped with the digital and AI skills to thrive, in line with Microsoft's AIForMYFuture initiative,' he said. MMU student Amir Hibban Amir Herman, who is part of the first cohort, said being selected for the programme 'feels like a big step forward'. 'It's not every day you get the chance to learn about AI and digital payments from real industry leaders. I'm excited to see how this can shape my future and help me find my place in Malaysia's digital economy,' he said. Program Akar is part of PayNet's broader commitment to shaping a future-ready Malaysia. Through the programme, students will gain hands-on learning, mentorship and job placements within Malaysia's leading financial institutions.
BusinessToday
28-04-2025
- Business
- BusinessToday
PayNet Expands Program Akar With AI Talent Engine For Malaysia's Financial Sector
Second row: (5th from the left) Jun Maria Abdullah Tan, Senior Director, PayNet Akar; (9th from the left) Farhan Ahmad, GCEO, PayNet; (10th from the left) Laurence Si, Managing Director, Microsoft Malaysia. Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) has launched the second phase of Program Akar, aimed at developing AI and data science talent for Malaysia's financial services industry. 100 students will join the new cohort this year, beginning with 25 from Multimedia University (MMU) and expanding to 75 from other local universities by year-end. The enhanced curriculum focuses on three key areas: Values-Driven Enrichment Digital Payment Knowledge AI & Data Science Mastery The programme, powered by Microsoft under its AIForMYFuture initiative, is delivered in partnership with PEOPLElogy Berhad and Futuresparx Sdn Bhd. Students will receive mentorship, hands-on learning, and job placement opportunities within leading financial institutions. Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet, said, 'Program Akar is about more than preparing students for jobs. It's about preparing them to lead Malaysia's digital economy with purpose.' Laurence Si, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, added, 'By collaborating with PayNet through Program Akar, we're helping build a generation of talent equipped with the digital and AI skills to thrive, in line with Microsoft's AIForMYFuture initiative.' Program Akar was first introduced in July 2024 in collaboration with AWS, with a focus on cloud and digital payments. Related
Rakyat Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- Rakyat Post
PayNet's 'Program Akar' Is Back — Here's How It's Prepping Youths For An AI-Powered Future
Subscribe to our FREE If you're a student eyeing a future in AI, data science, or digital finance — and you care about doing it with purpose — PayNet's Program Akar might just be what you're looking for. The It kicks off with 25 from Multimedia University (MMU) and will grow to include 75 more from other local unis by the end of 2025. So what's Akar all about? Well, in short, it's not just about building skills — it's about building character. The programme is a team effort run by PayNet in collaboration with Microsoft (under its AIforMYFuture initiative), PEOPLElogy Berhad, and Futuresparx Sdn Bhd. Participants will go through a three-part learning journey that covers: Values-Driven Enrichment – fostering leadership, integrity, and a future-ready mindset. Digital Payment Knowledge – exploring how money has evolved, including banking systems, digital payments, and transaction security. AI & Data Science Mastery – teaching foundational tech skills and how to apply them to real-world problems. And this isn't just classroom stuff. Participants get real mentorship, hands-on experience, and job placement opportunities with some of the country's top financial players. The launch event was attended by Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet, Ir Prof Dr Zulfadzli Yusoff, Vice President, Market Exploration, Engagement and Touchpoint (VP MEET), and Laurence Si, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, who shared insights on the importance of future-ready talent in Malaysia's journey toward a digital economy. 'We're Here To Build The Roots' At the launch, Farhan Ahmad, Group CEO of PayNet, said the goal of the programme is to 'build the roots'—hence the name Akar , which means 'roots' in Malay. 'Akar lives at the intersection of technology, finance, and most importantly, values,' he said. 'It's the ultimate compass when you're heading into an uncertain future. What we do with it is the difference-maker — values transcend technology.' So what kind of values is Akar trying to instil? Farhan lists them out: Aspiration — Because to innovate, you must aspire beyond what you can see. Curiosity — Ask a lot of questions. AI can help answer them, but you have to be curious enough to ask. Grit — Because in the face of people telling you you're not going to make it, you have to stand tall and say otherwise. What sets Akar apart is how seriously it takes the 'practice what you learn' part. 'Akar is not just about the training,' Farhan added. 'If you don't practice what you've learned, you lose it. The difference with Akar is that once you graduate from the learning, we put you in a position to use it. Once you put it into action, you won't forget it. We don't stop at teaching — we take it to the next level.' At PayNet, we see talent development as national development. Program Akar is about more than preparing students for jobs. It's about preparing them to lead Malaysia's digital economy with purpose. By equipping our youth with future-proof digital skills and connecting them to meaningful industry opportunities, we're strengthening Malaysia's financial ecosystem and building long-term economic resilience. PayNet CEO Farhan Ahmad. Farhan didn't sugarcoat the reality of where AI is headed. Unlike anything that preceded it, the future of AI is unknown, and no human understands how it's going to play out. That has never happened to us in the history of humanity. Every technology before this has been controllable. This one — we have no clue how it's going to go. PayNet CEO Farhan Ahmad. 'We Are The Future' Microsoft Malaysia Managing Director Laurence Si also spoke at the launch, reflecting on his decades in tech. AI is transforming every role in every industry, including financial services. By collaborating with PayNet through Program Akar, we're helping build a generation of talent equipped with the digital and AI skills to thrive, in line with Microsoft's AIForMYFuture initiative. At Microsoft, we're committed to empowering students with the capabilities needed to succeed in Malaysia's growing AI economy. Microsoft Malaysia Managing Director Laurence Si. Si has seen his fair share of revolutions in tech — from the PC era to the cloud — but said AI feels different. 'For the first time, AI is giving everyone unlimited access to data and knowledge. It's like having a personal tutor at your fingertips,' he noted. 'We're still early in the AI journey. The future's not defined yet — and who's going to define it? We are. We are the future.' Think about the word akar — foundation. That's what it's all about. Microsoft Malaysia Managing Director Laurence Si. TL;DR PayNet's Program Akar is more than just a training course — it's a mission to shape the next wave of tech talent for Malaysia. And that's something we can all root for. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
