Labuan, Malaysia –Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Neurogine Sdn Bhd, a leading technology company, has announced the launch of UMS Technology Talent Hub 2024 or UMS T2H 2024. This initiative seeks to identify, develop and attract talent in technology, marketing and finance within Labuan.

According Neurogine Chief Executive Officer Owen Chen Chee Onn, “Neurogine is committed to fostering future leaders in the intersecting fields of technology, finance and marketing. We are thrilled to be part of UMS T2H 2024 and take on the role as its main sponsor.”

“UMS T2H 2024 aligns with our values, encapsulated in its theme, “Ideas, Innovate and Inspire”. Neurogine has been at the forefront of innovation, pioneering payment tokenisation and financial blockchain solutions since 2020,” he said. This initiative will support and nurture bright minds, benefit young people, for young people and supported by the industry. We eagerly anticipate the success of UMS T2H 2024 and emergence of future stars,” he said during a presentation ceremony at UMS Labuan International Campus this morning.

UMS T2H 2024 aims to develop, retain and attract talent to Labuan, addressing a broader social responsibility of reversing the brain drain from Labuan. “It will help create employment and respond to demand for talent in Labuan for digital-banking, robo-advisors, virtual asset exchanges, Islamic financial blockchain tokens. It is also aligned with plans to establish a Blockchain Hub in Labuan and transform the island into a digital financial hub and launchpad for blockchain technology,” he said alluding to the announcement by Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan last month.

“We believe there are significant opportunities to develop world-class talent in Labuan, establishing it as a sustainable technology innovation hub to serve the Brunei–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA),” he said. The tools to realise such opportunities are ready with the presence of UMS Faculty of Labuan International Finance (UMS LFIF) and UMS Faculty of Computing and Informatics (UMS FCI) at Labuan International Campus, with an annual enrollment of more than 1,500 young minds per year. “It is ambitious but realistic to position both faculties as talent and technology innovators.”

As the main supporter of UMS T2H 2024, this initiative provides Neurogine with opportunities to meet, assess, connect and recruit talent. It also strengthens Neurogine’s recognition showcases its commitment to innovation and support for the Malaysian technology talent ecosystem. “More importantly, we remain committed to strengthen our relationships in Labuan, UMS and various stakeholders with our involvement in UMS T2H 2024.”

UMS T2H 2024 is organised by UMS LFIF in collaboration with UMS FCI and Neurogine. LFIF Dean Associate Professor Dr. Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal is leading this effort. “This initiative, in conjunction with the 30th Anniversary of UMS, will provide a platform for our students to showcase their skills and gain valuable experience. We believe this initiative will play a crucial role in driving innovation and growth, plus put Labuan on the map. In addition to a funding of RM50,000, Neurogine has shared its organisational expertise and seconded several of its seasoned personnel to ensure the success of this initiative,” said Dr. Tanakinjal.

The chosen theme, “Ideas, Innovate and Inspire” focuses on financial blockchain prototypes and business ideas. Teams of up to five students will compete over six-month in a prototyping-and-pitching exercises, culminating in the award ceremony this December with cash prizes of RM10,000 for the winner, RM8,000 to the runner-up and RM5,000 for third place. Each team can be supported by up to two mentors, who must be UMS faculty members and must have a team member studying at UMS FLIF. Teams who qualify as semi-finalist this August will receive RM1,000 as seed capital to refine their prototypes. Five finalists will be selected this October and we will announce the results by December.”

“Apart from cash prizes and awards, Neurogine is offering employment contracts to deserving individuals,” he said, adding as the main sponsor, Neurogine has shown commitment to foster the next generation of talent and innovators in Labuan. “We are approaching several industry leaders to be on our judging panel and will soon announce the identities of our judges.”

Dr Tanakinjal said team registrations starts June 10, 2024 and ends August 10, 2024. “We hope UMS T2H 2024 will bring talented students and recent graduates to compete in a series of challenges that will test their technical skills, problem-solving abilities and innovative thinking for real-world solutions with technological readiness. We have already been approached by several teams who are ready to register with their respective blockchain-based solutions.” Detailed information and registration forms are available at https://www.ums.edu.my/fkal/ or email from noorhassanah@ums.edu.my.

ABOUT UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH

Universiti Malaysia Sabah or UMS is an institution of higher education that produces human resources, experts and professionals in a variety of fields. Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2024, UMS continues to deliver quality education to local and global community of students and scholars. UMS undergraduates and postgraduate students receive guidance and learning opportunities in an environment that values talent and innovation. Since its establishment in 1994 and expansion in 1999 with the establishment of the UMS Labuan Faculty of International Finance, UMS has made consistent efforts to develop modern infrastructures and mechanisms, with 14 academic faculties supported by efficient management to provide an effective platform for nurturing young generations.

https://www.ums.edu.my/

ABOUT UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH LABUAN FACULTY OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCE

Labuan Faculty of International Finance or LFIF, was founded in January 1999 with its first intake in May 1999 comprising 356 students. Initially, the faculty offered four programmes; International Finance, International and Offshore Banking, International Marketing, and International Financial Economics. In 2004, the faculty expanded to offer Islamic Finance programme that covered an international perspective. Situated in the Federal Territory of Labuan, the faculty becomes the leading regional centre for conventional and Islamic Finance in Asia-Pacific. It aims to be a holistic, competitive, and global Centre of Excellence in the field of international finance with its mission is to be a Centre of Excellence in the field of international finance, attaining global recognition through teaching, learning, research, publication, social contribution and the sustainability of knowledge base. LFIF is the organiser for UMS Technolgy Talent Hub 2024 (UMS T2H 2024) Initiative.

https://www.ums.edu.my/fkal/

ABOUT NEUROGINE

Neurogine is a digital transformation, technology and service provider in Asia Pacific, providing platforms and solutions to financial institutions and organisations in Asia. In 2022, KPMG-HSBC identified Neurogine in its “Emerging Giants in Asia Pacific” report and acknowledged Neurogine’s specialisation in mobile platforms and applications. Neurogine is a research collaborator with Universiti Malaysia Sabah and driving the UMS Technology Talent Hub 2024 or UMS T2H 2024 initiative to develop, retain and attract tech talent. This is aligned with Neurogine’s presence as an active member of Labuan Chamber of Commerce and supporting efforts to see Labuan evolve to become a global hub for commerce, finance and technology. Neurogine’s activities are also aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Goals 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth, Goals 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 13: Climate Action and Goal 15: Life on Land). In 2022, Neurogine became the first corporate supporter for Gilwell Scouts Nature Park Sandakan, the first environmental educational centre in Malaysia, accredited by World Organization of the Scout Movement as a Scout Centre of Excellence for Nature, Environment and Sustainability, and in 2024, the first corporate partner for Pertubuhan Pemuliharaan Biodiversiti Seratu Aatai Sabah, dedicated to protect biodiversity and protect the highly endangered Bornean Elephants in Sabah. Neurogine’s technology and products include Neurogine nPay®, a fully integrated mobile payment solution; Neurogine nBank®, a full suite of mobile banking platform and Neurogine nCard®, a tokenised mobile payment platform. Neurogine operates as a Group of Companies which includes Neurogine Sdn Bhd, its financial technology development and investment arm based in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Neurogine Capital (L) Ltd, regulated and licensed by Labuan Financial Services Authority to operate money broking operations and others.

https://www.neurogine.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS

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This Press Release in PDF and visual assets (JPG, PNG) are available. Please direct requests to Chooi Yew Tzen at dan.chooi@neurogine.com or 012 6523811.