The University of Manchester South East Asia Centre (UoMSEA) recently reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable finance education in the region by hosting two highly impactful masterclasses in Kuala Lumpur.
These sessions, led by Ismail Erturk, Senior Lecturer in Banking at Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), provided valuable insights into the importance of balancing profitability and sustainability in the banking sector.
Malaysia is currently at a pivotal moment in advancing sustainable finance, with its Islamic banking sector ranking as the third-largest globally and Shariah-compliant financing accounting for 42% of domestic banking loans.
As part of these efforts, UoMSEA was pleased to partner with AFFIN Group to deliver an exclusive session for the Group’s senior leadership team with a private masterclass titled Re-thinking Banking and Finance for a Sustainable Economy.
The masterclass delved into critical topics such as strategies for maximising shareholder value while navigating short-term financial pressures, the influence of financialisation on economic stability through capital markets and financial engineering, and the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into financial strategies. It also highlighted sustainable finance instruments, including green bonds and sustainability-linked loans.
These masterclasses highlight UoMSEA’s leadership in driving conversations around sustainable finance at a time when Malaysia is poised to take a leading role in the ASEAN region.
With Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s vision to position Malaysia as a global leader in Islamic finance and the country’s current chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, UoMSEA’s initiatives align seamlessly with national and regional goals.
By bringing thought leaders like Ismail Erturk to Malaysia, UoMSEA continues to provide professionals and institutions with the tools and insights needed to integrate sustainability into their practices while meeting evolving market and regulatory demands.