Assalamualaikum and a very good morning. It gives me great pleasure to be here with all of you to celebrate the graduation of FSTEP Batch 25 and a culmination of hard work, perseverance, and dedication.

As we gather here to honour the achievements of these bright individuals, we are not only marking the end of their journey here with us but also the beginning of a chapter filled with new possibilities.

Graduates;
The world you are about to enter is truly a dynamic one. The financial services industry is constantly evolving, and more interconnected than ever before. In this fast-paced landscape, where precision, innovation, and adaptability are paramount, the pursuit of knowledge is not just a choice but a necessity.

What you have learnt within these walls is just the foundation to give you a head start in your career and so, I urge you to embrace every opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. Keep in mind though that learning is not just about accumulating facts and figures; it's about developing a mindset, a way of thinking that fosters creativity, resilience, and agility. You will be applauded not only for what you know but how you apply that knowledge to solve real-life problems and navigate through the intricacies of the financial landscape. In this era of constant innovation, the ability to learn quickly, unlearn when necessary, and relearn is a skill that will set you apart.

And whenever possible; attend workshops and training courses, pursue certifications, engage in industry forums, and never underestimate the power of self-driven education.

At 84 years old, I too am still learning, reading, attending training and talks on Digital Banking, and Cyber Security, AI, Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, Cloud Computing, Takaful, Fintech, Shariah Law, Robotics, Chat GPT etc. If I were to stop, I would be left behind – out of date and irrelevant! And that is not an option I choose for myself.

Like Henry Ford once said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young and the greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.”

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, FSTEP celebrates its 16th year, 25th batch and a total of 2,539 graduates that have gone through its doors. From a 1-year programme when it first started, FSTEP is now a highly intensive 3-month programme with a curriculum that is continuously updated to reflect what the industry’s expectations and needs are at the time. With the increasing need for graduates to be job-ready and highly skilled upon joining the work force, the demands on FSTEP by the financial institutions to fill the training gaps is ever pressing. It is a responsibility that the team at the Asian Banking School does not take lightly.

During their time here, the FSTEP participants have learnt from a comprehensive curriculum that covers 80% technical courses and 20% soft skills. For me, the initiatives chosen by the participants for their UN Sustainable Development Goals Projects are especially interesting. From revitalising an alleyway at Kasturi Walk near the Central Market with a wall mural, to fostering inclusivity and increasing volunteers for the blind, to responsible food waste management. A lot of hard work was put into these commendable projects, and I encourage everyone today to view the exhibition set up outside before you go.

Together with talks by prominent industry leaders and a visit to the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation as part of the curriculum, every effort was made to prepare today’s graduates to be as ready as possible for their next step into the financial services industry.

I am sure that your employers will value the skills and expertise that you have acquired and hope that you will continue to show a deep commitment to learning and professional development throughout your career and beyond. It is the knowledge that you acquire along the way that will be the currency of your success.

And before you leave these halls, as Chairman of the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers as well as the ABS, I ask that you also consider professional qualifications as part of your pathway in learning and become Chartered Bankers. For those who would like to take that a step even further, there is also the Chartered Banker MBA programme to consider.

To the 97 graduates of Batch 25, congratulations on your achievement! As you embark on your professional journey, approach your role with a sense of purpose and ethical responsibility. Develop a culture of excellence within yourself, embrace the challenges that lie ahead with enthusiasm and view every obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow. And while it is always good to move forward, I do hope that you will look back fondly to your time here and continue to keep in touch with us and the friends that you have made in FSTEP.

My thanks to the 12 sponsoring financial institutions of Batch 25 for their support of the FSTEP programme and the Asian Banking School.

My thanks as well to Bank Negara Malaysia for their continued belief in the programme and my heartiest congratulations to the learning partners, faculty and the FSTEP team at ABS led by Dr. Vijay for another successful group of FSTEP graduates.

Thank you.