26/05/2026

TUESDAY | MAY 26, 2026

12

EDUCATION NEWS

Empowering women in finance

Role of educational institutions Research consistently shows that women-led businesses often demonstrate stronger emphasis on long-term resilience, inclusive leadership, and sustainable practices. Diversity in leadership further enhances innovation by broadening perspectives and improving decision-making adaptability. In a rapidly evolving global economy, these are not optional advantages but essential competitiveness factors. Educational institutions also play a critical role in sustaining this momentum. Universities must go beyond technical training and actively develop entrepreneurial mindsets alongside academic excellence. Institutions such as Heriot-Watt University Malaysia can contribute meaningfully through structured leadership development programmes and entrepreneurship-focused learning. This includes confidence-building initiatives such as leadership and entrepreneurial skills training, alongside strong industry networks that connect students to alumni and professionals. Mentorship is equally important, providing one-on-one guidance from experienced entrepreneurs and finance leaders who can support early-stage decision-making and career transitions. Experiential learning is another key enabler. Through initiatives such as EmPOWER, students gain exposure to incubators, student led startups, and real-world finance projects. These experiences help bridge the gap between theory and practice while developing resilience needed for entrepreneurial success. To fully unlock this potential, collaboration is essential. Policymakers, businesses, and educators must work together to invest in women’s entrepreneurial development, ensuring that financial support, training, and ecosystem access are aligned. At the same time, aspiring women finance professionals are encouraged to view their qualifications not only as a pathway to employment, but as a foundation for business ownership and leadership. As more women view finance qualifications as a springboard for entrepreneurship, Malaysia’s innovation ecosystem becomes stronger, more inclusive, and better positioned for long-term growth. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ricky Wong is the associate head of Accountancy, Economics and Finance at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

Contribute to enterprise growth This momentum also aligns with national efforts to strengthen women’s participation in entrepreneurship. The Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives has launched the Women Entrepreneurs Economic Fund Initiative (DEWI), valued at nearly RM3 billion, aimed at empowering between 200,000 and 300,000 women entrepreneurs in the MSME sector. By consolidating earlier programmes and expanding financing support, the initiative reinforces the view that women’s entrepreneurship is a central driver of economic development. The timing is significant. Finance professionals are uniquely positioned to contribute to enterprise growth because their skill sets are directly aligned with the demands of sustainable business building. They understand cash flow discipline, governance structures, financial planning, and long-term value creation. These are essential foundations for scaling SMEs and navigating economic uncertainty. Importantly, entrepreneurship today is not only about innovation and creativity. It also requires disciplined execution, strategic decision-making, and financial resilience. Women with finance and accountancy backgrounds are therefore well placed to bridge analytical capability with commercial ambition, enabling businesses to grow in a structured and sustainable way. The rise in entrepreneurial ambition among women also signals a broader mindset shift. Increasingly, leadership is no longer viewed as something confined to corporate hierarchies. Instead, it is being redefined through business ownership, influence and the creation of ventures that generate both economic and social value. This shift is particularly relevant for Malaysia’s SME landscape. SMEs form the backbone of the national economy, contributing significantly to employment and business activity. However, many continue to face challenges in areas such as financial management, scalability, digital transformation, and sustainability. Greater participation of women finance professionals in entrepreneurship can help address these gaps while introducing more diverse approaches to problem-solving and innovation.

M ALAYSIA stands at a pivotal moment in its economic evolution. As the nation seeks to strengthen innovation, accelerate SME growth and build a more resilient business ecosystem, a key development deserves greater attention: the rising entrepreneurial ambition among women in finance. Findings from ACCA’s Global Talent Trends 2026 report show that 50% of women in finance in Malaysia now aspire to become entrepreneurs, up from 43% previously. At the same time, the gender gap in entrepreneurial ambition is narrowing, signalling a meaningful shift in confidence, career aspirations and leadership perceptions among women professionals. This trend matters because it goes beyond workforce sentiment. It reflects a deeper transformation in how talent may shape Malaysia’s future innovation capacity, business creation, and economic resilience. This is more than a workforce trend. It is an economic opportunity. A growing number of women in finance are redefining what success looks like. Where finance and accountancy were once seen primarily as pathways to stable employment and corporate progression, they are now increasingly viewed as platforms for business ownership, entrepreneurship, and enterprise creation. From an expert perspective, this shift reflects how professional training in finance equips women with more than technical knowledge. It provides strategic tools such as financial literacy, risk awareness, governance understanding, and business planning capability. These competencies build credibility and confidence, both of which are essential for leadership and business ownership in competitive markets. o Professional training equips women with competencies essential for leadership and business ownership Ű COMMENTBY DR RICKY WONG IPOH: The Perak government is planning to distribute 63,303 SPM reference books in the state this year at a cost of RM1 million, an increase from 53,000 given away last year, under the Tuisyen Cikgu Saarani programme. For the first time the initiative is extended to students from Sekolah Menengah Tahfiz Darul Ridzuan (SMTDR) and Sekolah Menengah Agama Rakyat (SMAR) schools under the jurisdiction of the State Islamic Religious Department. The initiative is supported by Yayasan Perak and the Education Department. Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad, who officiated at a recent event to give away the reference books, said the state will always be committed to enhancing the education agenda. The reference books were developed by experienced teachers based on analyses on the needs of students with due focus on mastering Ű BY P. CHANDRA SAGARAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

The event encouraged public awareness on diabetes prevention while fostering sustainable and healthy lifestyle habits.

AMSA-UPM Diabetes Day attracts over 1,300 participants

SERDANG: The Asian Medical Students’ Association of Universiti Putra Malaysia (AMSA UPM) recently hosted their Diabetes Day 2026 with the theme “Shaping Tomorrow’s Health Today”, gathering over 1,300 participants to raise diabetes awareness and promote early disease prevention. The engaging programme featured several activities catering for participants of all age groups. They included a Diabetes Fun Run in the 3km (for children), 5km and 7km categories, creating an energetic and lively atmosphere across the campus. Threre were also interactive health exhibitions with booths providing hands-on education regarding diabetes care and preventive healthcare. Comprehensive health screenings were available for visitors to benefit from specialised services, including blood glucose testing, blood pressure measurement, alongside foot, spine, hearing, skin, and abdominal screenings. Keynote sessions led by medical professionals—including Prof. Dr. Ching Siew Mooi and Dr. Suffian Sani Sayuti—included a special talk in conjunction with World Hypertension Day on reducing salt intake to control blood pressure and its relationship with diabetes. This was followed by a session addressing pressing modern health issues such as diabetes and obesity management. Directed by Teoh Shi Min, the event was hosted in collaboration with BE International Marketing Sdn Bhd as the diamond sponsor and co-organiser BE International, along with Garmin Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Tha Baba Events and Advertising Sdn Bhd, and the Focus Point Caring Heart Charity Foundation. It also received substantial backing from various collaborators, including Diabetasol Malaysia, National Cancer Society Malaysia, Roche Malaysia, IMU Chiropractic, Radiology and Nursing HSAAS. Participants were rewarded for their engagement with a spectacular lucky draw, featuring prizes such as Huawei Freebuds 6i, JBL Go 3 speakers, and AEON GiftVouchers. Thruogh the event AMSA-UPM reinforced its mission to encourage public awareness on diabetes prevention while fostering sustainable and healthy lifestyle habits throughout the local community.

State to distribute additional free SPM reference books

Saarani (centre) with some of the students who received the free books.

Saarani noted the state’s average grade for SPM last year rose to 4.63 from 4.49 in 2024. A total of 26,182 candidates, or 94.4% of the students, qualified to receive certificates. There was also an increase in the number of students scoring straight As, with 1,008 students, including 26 who scored straight A+ grades.

and answering techniques. A key approach is to assist borderline students capable of achieving passes by providing learning materials and enabling them to master core subjects. The books also provide additional guidance for students sitting for SPM examinations.

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