APU offers Malaysia’s first academic qualification for fintech

• Three-year programme on handling digital banking and finance products, services
• The APU SuperCharger Fintech Academy will  be established at APU

IN COLLABORATION with SuperCharger, an Asian financial technology (fintech) accelerator, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) becomes the first university in Malaysia to offer undergraduate programmes related to fintech, to address the needs for talent development in this emerging industry.

The launch of the programme was officiated through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between APIIT Education Group chief executive officer Parmjit Singh and SuperCharger Fintech Accelerator Asia general manager Johnny Mayo.

Prior to the launch, SuperCharger conducted the “Train the Trainer” programme at APU, to equip the APU academic team with foundational knowledge in fintech and to prepare them for effective programme and subject delivery.

The Bachelor in Banking and Finance with a specialism in Financial Technology is a three-year degree programme that aims to deliver technical knowledge and skills in handling digital banking and finance products and services.

Specialised modules delivered through the programme include introduction on essentials of Fintech, Enabling Fintech, Digital Currencies and Blockchain Technologies, Crowdfunding and Alternative Lending, Fintech Governance, Risk Management & Compliance with the ability for the students to become entrepreneurs in fintech.

Under the collaboration between SuperCharger and APU, the APU SuperCharger Fintech Academy will also be established at APU, to facilitate the research and development in Fintech-related areas.

SuperCharger will offer their assistance to students in realising their fintech startup ideas, encouraging them to be fintech entrepreneurs in the future.

It is also anticipated that SuperCharger will continue to facilitate guest lectures at APU to expose students and staff towards this emerging industry.

Prior to this collaboration, SuperCharger facilitated a guest lecture at APU by Huy Nguyen Trieu (Co-founder of the Centre of Finance, Technology and Entrepreneurship [CFTE]  and CEO of the Disruptive Group) in May 2018, to educate students the importance of fintech and to provide further understanding of fintech applications.

“We are proud to be chosen by SuperCharger to become the first university in Malaysia to launch this programme. Together with SuperCharger, we aim to address the talent gaps in the industry and we look forward to seeing our graduates of this programme contribute significantly to the FinTech industry,” said Parmjit.

The Bachelor in Banking and Finance with a specialism in Financial Technology is expected to commence in February 2019.

Graduates in this programme are in high demand, and may pursue careers as Financial Analysts, Financial Engineers, Quantitative Analysts, Financial Technologists, Compliance Expert, Strategy Analysts and more.