Being in a stable financial position allows families to enjoy a better life. In this day and age, money is needed in every aspect of life including health, transport, education, and housing among others.

Having sufficient money also allows families to feel confident in their abilities to face unexpected crises such as illnesses, loss of jobs, and natural disasters.

However, money has also led to online frauds that have cost people millions. To steal money from the owners’ account, cyber criminals use all sorts of tactics.

Victims are mostly those not knowledgeable in technology and not abreast of current development, such as people who are elderlies and from the rural areas.

Awareness campaigns on the danger of cyber crimes or scams must be held continuously and with a wider coverage in an effort to save people’s savings.

The initiative has been implemented by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) through a programme held in collaboration with Bursa Malaysia, one of the largest bourses in ASEAN.

UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazlan Abd Ghaffar said UMT as a university with expertise in various fields including finances supports the efforts to spread awareness campaigns on financial management and investment.

“We are constantly fed with the news of fraudulent investment schemes including those done online. These schemes offer investment opportunities that never exist and promise risk-free attractive returns within a short time.

He added that a stable financial situation is important to create peace and harmony in a family and society.

“With money, a conducive and inclusive environment can be created.”

“An inclusive and sustainable economic growth can contribute to progress and provide support to the Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8), Decent Work and Economic Growth, which aims to boost continuous, inclusive, sustainable economic growth; productive and sufficient workforce; and suitable employment for all.

His speech was delivered by Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International) Prof. Ts. Dr. Zamri Ibrahim during the Opening Ceremony of Terengganu Share Carnival held at UMT’s Sultan Mizan Hall recently.

Also present at the event were Bursa Malaysia Investment Development Head Stephanie Tan Kar Mun and officers from Bursa Malaysia and UMT.

According to Prof. Mazlan, the event was part of the Industry in Classroom Programme that aims to provide added value to the teaching and learning and make the students better.

“This sort of programme fits UMT well as it offers academic programmes related to finances and investments, namely Bachelor of Science (Financial Mathematics) with Honours at the Faculty of Ocean Engineering Technology and Informatics (FTKKI) and Bachelor of Finance with Honours.

“Industry in Classroom enables students to be exposed to the skills needed by the industry when they enter the real work world,” he said.