Graduates From PayNet's Akar Programme Are Much Sought After

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s (PayNet) flagship national talent development programme has placed about 90 per cent of its participants in internship programmes.

PayNet said in a statement today that the Akar Programme initially enrolled 100 students, with 50 forming the first pilot cohort at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation.

“PayNet is the lead architect of the programme while AWS Malaysia provided training resources, cloud services and technical expertise,” the statement said.

“The initiative addresses Malaysia’s digital skill gaps. It is designed to equip future leaders with globally recognised cloud skills for Malaysia’s financial services industry,” the statement said.

“PayNet’s Akar programme equips participants with relevant skills, hands-on industry experience, and the confidence to thrive in a tech-driven world,” the statement said.

PayNet group chief executive officer Farhan Ahmad said the traditional curriculum has to be augmented to prepare students with new skills that are coming together at a breathtaking pace. 

Powered by AWS re/Start, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Malaysia country head Hussein Mohd Ali said banks and financial institutions are competing to hire graduates from the programme.

“I congratulate PayNet’s pioneering role with the Akar programme since July 2024. We will continue the journey this year with the second cohort of new graduates to build a future-ready workforce,” he said at the graduation ceremony here today. 

Akar graduates are positioned to lead Malaysia's financial space, addressing industry demands for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data analytics expertise, Hussein said.

The statement said Bank Negara and a slew of local banks have expressed interest in exploring internship and job placement pathways for Akar graduates.  

The Akar programme is delivered through World Education Placement Services Sdn Bhd (WEPS).

-- BERNAMA