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 26 – the first one for this year.

Graduates;

The certificate that you will receive today symbolises the hard work that you put in during your time at FSTEP but beyond this stage, lies a vast expanse of uncharted territory—a realm where learning knows no boundaries, where the pursuit of knowledge can become a lifelong adventure. If you choose it to be.

Lifelong learning is not confined to just textbooks or classrooms. It goes beyond that. It is the art of staying curious, of seeking wisdom in unexpected places, and of embracing growth even when the syllabus is long forgotten and in acquiring and practising good values all along the journey.

Why should it be important to you?

Our world is evolving at a speed that we can’t even begin to comprehend. Technology reshapes industries, paradigms shift, and what we know today may become obsolete tomorrow. In this dynamic landscape, lifelong learning isn’t a luxury; it’s a survival skill. Its benefits include adaptability, intellectual fulfilment, career resilience and personal growth.

How can we embrace lifelong learning?
Read widely;
Learn from everyone but be brave to unlearn old beliefs, biases, and misconceptions; and
Stay curious.

I will be turning 85 years old this month and 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 If I were to stop, I would be left behind – out of date and irrelevant! That is not an option I choose for myself.

In the words of the great blues musician, B.B. King, “The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.”
Ladies and Gentlemen,

FSTEP was formed to address the growing need for skilled talent in the financial services industry. This initiative, in collaboration with Bank Negara Malaysia, has been pivotal in producing professionals equipped with the requisite skills and knowledge demanded by the industry. As the industry continues to evolve, FSTEP remains at the forefront, bridging critical training gaps and ensuring a pipeline of competent professionals.

During their intensive 3-month training, the FSTEP participants of Batch 26 engaged in a comprehensive curriculum covering subjects that included Regulatory Compliance, ESG, Data Analysis, Cybersecurity, Intrapreneurship, Design Thinking, and FinTech. New topics, such as Banking in Sports and the Holistic Banker, were also introduced.

In addition to their regular classroom training, FSTEP participants also engaged in out-of-classroom projects. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Project Catalyst allowed participants to create initiatives with a transformational impact. The projects they chose were significant, ranging from raising awareness of Down Syndrome through a partnership with Persatuan Sindrom Down Malaysia, to promoting responsible food waste management with Urban Hijau and E&O Residences Kuala Lumpur, and empowering underprivileged children at the Good Samaritan Home. A lot of hard work was put into these commendable projects, and I encourage everyone today to view the exhibition that the participants have set up outside before you go.

To the 71 graduates of FSTEP Batch 26, congratulations on your achievements. As you embark on your professional journey, remember the invaluable lessons and experiences that you have gained during your time here. You have not only acquired technical skills and knowledge but also developed a deeper understanding of the importance of innovation, collaboration, and social responsibility. Beyond this, I urge you to 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. It is equally important to keep and sustain good values all along your professional journey.

And as you leave these halls, it is my hope that you will continue to show a deep commitment to learning and professional development throughout your career and beyond.

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.

My thanks to the 10 sponsoring financial institutions of Batch 26 for their support of the FSTEP programme and the Asian Banking School. I hope that you will reap the benefits of the skills and expertise that the graduates have acquired during their time here.

My sincere gratitude to Bank Negara Malaysia for their unwavering belief in the programme and my heartfelt congratulations go out to the learning partners, faculty, and FSTEP team at the Asian Banking School under the leadership of Dr. Vijay for yet another successful cohort of FSTEP graduates.