Enhancing knowledge via investment game

Shamini (second row, sixth from left), Yuan Leng, Adeline Foon, Penny Hu, Dr Hen, David Ng, Dr Aik (Last row, far left) with the winners, committee members and participants

A total of 112 teams, consisting of Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) students, participated in the qualifying round of “FAM Investment Game 2018”. The game was organised by FAM on 16 and 19 November 2018 at Sungai Long Campus.

The qualifying round of “FAM Investment Game 2018”

Each team consisted of three members. The challenge aimed to develop an investment-savvy younger generation who are well-versed in stock market investing as an alternative way to generate returns.  Also, it aimed to educate undergraduate students the prudent process of investment decision making and inculcate greater awareness about finance and investment studies.

Among 112 teams, only top three teams made it into the final round which was organised on 19 November 2018.

Invited to the final round Investment Game were Public Bank Berhad Financial Executive Adeline Foon Keh Shin, Banking Services Manager Penny Hu Yoke Ling, Bancassurance Executive Leon Muhammad Faiz bin Muhammad, Bancassurance Executive Wong Kar Wai, Senior Sales and Marketing Executive Jason Low Chun Siang, Senior Sales and Marketing Executive Aveline Lian Xin Thong, CIMB Berhad Group Human Resource Director Yuan Leng, UTAR FAM Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training David Ng Ching Yat,Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Dr Hen Kai Wah, Head of Accountancy Department Shamini Kandasamy, Organising Chairperson Department of AccountancyDr Aik Nai Chiek, committee members and students.

David Ng encouraging the students to start saving and investing

Quoting Tan Sri Ranjit Ajit Singh in his speech at InvestSmart Fest 2018, David Ng said, “More than 68% of the EPF members, aged 54, have less than RM50,000 in their EPF savings, and 70% of the members who withdrew their funds at the age of 55 used up their savings in less than 10 years after retiring. Here, I would like to urge all of the students to start saving and investing from young. You will not be able to sustain life after post-retirement especially if you take into consideration the inflation, costs of living and our growing life expectancy.”

The event then began with the final round session one challenge­ called Capital Accumulation which was separated into four rounds namely, Stock and Bonds, Financial Regulation, Financial Statement Analysis and Business and Financial News. The top three teams who made into the final round were required to answer questions, given in each round of the sessions, to accumulate marks. Challenging questions were given based on the syllabus, current economic issues and some general questions on investment.

Participants working out a solution

The top three teams who successfully made themselves into the final round were Da Vinci, Capitalist and Accounting Girls.

Leon Muhammad Faiz explaining the differences between saving and investment

Invited to deliver an Investment talk was Leon Muhammad Faiz. He said, “There are two types of savings, which are regular savings and investment. Saving simply means we deposit our money in the bank and allow it to grow. Investment, on the other hand, is like a market economy. We always encourage young people to do investment because young people are eager to earn money compared to the elderly. When we do investment, we know we are capable of earning back our money, just like setting up a business. Investment is not harmful. Do not think that involving in an investment will definitely cause you a loss.”

CIMB Berhad Group Human Resource Director Yuan Leng (most right) presenting lucky draw gift to the winner while Dr Aik (most left) looks on

The event then proceeded with an audience game involving a lucky draw session and quizzes. Each lucky draw winners were required to answer a question to obtain the lucky draw gift—Pendrive, sponsored by Cengage.

 Public Bank Berhad Financial Executive Adeline Foon (most right) presenting lucky draw gift to the winner while Shamini (back, middle) looks on

The event then moved to session two challenge on Asset Allocation, which was separated to five rounds namely, Allocation for bonds, Allocation for Unit Trusts, Allocation for Real Estates, Allocation for Stocks and Allocation for Derivatives.

The champion of the Investment game walked away with RM1,200 in the form of Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) plus powerbanks, while the first and second runner-ups walked away with RM1,000 and RM800 respectively in the form of PRS and powerbanks as well.

Congratulations to the winners of “FAM Investment Game 2018”

FAM Investment Game 2018

Champion: Accounting Girls

Members:

1. Loo Xin Yiing

2. Tan Zhi Yun

3. Teo Xuan Shou

First Runner-up: Capitalist

Members:

1. Neo Chun Boon

2. Tan Hui Peng

3. Lim Liang Qian

Second Runner-up: Da Vinci

Members:

1. Loh Yunn Cinn

2. Shee Huey Chr

3. Tan Huey Jane

When asked, Accounting (AT) students Loo Xin Yiing, Tan Zhi Yun and Teo Xuan Shou, the Champion of FAM Investment Game 2018 said, “We were surprised when they announced the champion of the investment game. We certainly did not expect it. We did not do much preparation for this investment game, the only thing we did was focusing more on doing revisions. Luckily the questions given were related to our studies. For us, investment is a must. We cannot depend on our salaries alone to reach financial freedom. We must do investment for our future.”

Dr Aik said, “I am thankful to all the committee members for making this event a success. Throughout our teaching experience, we realised that students lack the knowledge of financial planning and financial investment which is one of the reasons why we planned this Investment Game. We realised, when we asked questions, the students began exchanging their knowledge and discussing. This is the effect we wished to create. We hope that we can carry out this event annually and make improvement based on today’s experience.”

The Investment game was sponsored by Public Bank Berhad with the amount of RM12,000 and Cengage who sponsored Pendrives and Powerbanks.