APU finance and accounting students gain first-hand exposure to Malaysia’s blockchain ecosystem, exploring how digital trust and blockchain-powered innovations are shaping the future of finance and digital economies.

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As industries continue accelerating towards digital transformation, understanding emerging technologies has become increasingly important for future finance professionals. Recognising this need, the School of Accounting and Finance (SoAF) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation recently organised an industrial visit to Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure Sdn Bhd (MBI) at MIMOS Berhad, enabling students to gain first-hand exposure to Malaysia’s growing blockchain and digital trust ecosystem. 

The visit on 14 May 2026 involved students from the Bachelor’s in Banking and Finance programme with specialism in Financial Technology and Investment Analysis. Organised by Banking and Finance Lecturer Ms Durrah Dhaniyah Othman and accompanied by Academic Leader and Senior Lecturer Dr Ng Hui Chen, the initiative aimed to bridge classroom learning with practical industry applications within the evolving digital economy.

Understanding Blockchain Beyond Cryptocurrency

While blockchain technology is commonly associated with cryptocurrencies, its applications extend far beyond digital payments. Blockchain functions as a decentralised digital ledger that securely records transactions and information across multiple systems, making records transparent, traceable, and highly resistant to tampering. 

For finance and accounting students, understanding blockchain is increasingly crucial as industries adopt technologies that enhance security, compliance, transparency, and efficiency in digital operations. 

MBI serves as the operating entity for Malaysia’s national blockchain initiative and was established as a strategic subsidiary of MIMOS Berhad. Acting as an aggregator, MBI integrates various blockchain platforms into a unified and interoperable interface, supporting broader adoption of blockchain technologies across industries. 

Students were also introduced to MBI’s role as a government-backed blockchain infrastructure initiative under the National Blockchain Roadmap 2021–2025 led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). This exposure allowed students to better understand how blockchain innovation contributes to national digitalisation efforts and future economic development. 

Bringing Theory into Real-World Practice

According to Ms Durrah Dhaniyah, the visit was carefully designed to help students connect academic concepts with operational blockchain practices. 

“We aim to explore blockchain infrastructure and digital trust, including system architecture, interoperability, and transaction verification and security mechanisms. The session also covered security, compliance, and governance practices that ensure transparent and reliable blockchain systems, alongside MBI’s role in driving innovation through practical applications and real-world use cases,” she explained.

Throughout the visit, students observed practical blockchain implementations involving secure digital verification, transaction traceability, and interoperable digital ecosystems currently supporting enterprise and national-level initiatives. The sessions demonstrated how blockchain infrastructure is increasingly being applied to strengthen transparency, data integrity, and trusted digital interactions across industries.

Insights from Industry Practitioners

A key highlight of the visit was the series of sharing sessions conducted by industry experts involved in blockchain implementation and digital asset innovation.

During the first session, Mr Ali Asgar Abbasbhai, founder of RightCliq Solutions (M) Sdn Bhd, and CEO of ProofEasy, demonstrated how blockchain technology is used to secure, manage, and verify digital documents through tamper-proof verification systems. Students gained insights into real industry applications involving digital certification, authentication, compliance, and fraud prevention across sectors such as finance, education, and government services.

The second session by Mr Muhamad Syazwan Baharom, President of Malaysia Assed Digital Community Association (MYDAC) and Project Lead Skola Labs Tech Sdn Bhd, explored the growing landscape of digital assets and consumer adoption within the Web3 ecosystem. Discussions focused on tokenisation, digital ownership, evolving business models, and how digital assets are increasingly shaping financial services, investment ecosystems, and digital commerce. 

Preparing Future-Ready Graduates

The lab tour further strengthened students’ understanding of how blockchain systems are operationally implemented to ensure transparency, security, compliance, and trusted digital interactions within emerging digital economies. 

Participating students expressed strong appreciation for the practical exposure gained throughout the programme. Financial Technology student Arantxa Sanell Laurent shared that the visit provided valuable exposure to Malaysia’s technology and innovation ecosystem while highlighting the importance of digital transformation, research, and industry collaboration. 

Meanwhile, fellow FinTech student Tee Kai Xin noted that the experience deepened her understanding of how technology is transforming industries such as finance and digital services, while reinforcing the importance of adaptability in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. 

Overall, the industrial visit successfully strengthened students’ exposure to blockchain innovation, digital trust infrastructure, and Malaysia’s ongoing digitalisation initiatives. By connecting academic learning with industry practices, APU continues to reinforce its commitment towards experiential learning and industry-driven education in preparing future-ready graduates for the evolving digital economy. 

Also attended included: Ms Nurliyana Jaafar Sidek, Senior Executive (Project Governance) at MIMOS Solutions; Mr Mohamad Nazri Arshad, Chief Operating Officer Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI); and Mr Syed Nizar bin Syed Tarmizi Jamalulil, Treasurer MYDAC.