Team ELITE, a group of MBA students from the UKM-Graduate School of Business (UKM-GSB), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, has successfully conducted the 'Financial Literacy for Person With Disabilities Student' programme to give them a brighter future in this region.
The first of such initiative in this programme was recently held at the at Hotel Seri Malaysia, Kepala Batas, in Penang.
This programme aims to equip students with special needs with fundamental financial management skills, helping them achieve greater financial independence in the future.
The programme received strong support from Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN), RHB-UKM Endowment Fund, Alkhair Malaysia, ALF Agency Sdn Bhd and Koperasi Tunas Muda Sungai Ara Berhad, all of whom played a vital role in ensuring the successful implementation of this initiative.
A total of 60 students with special needs from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas (SMKPK) Bumbong Lima participated in the programme, which featured interactive learning sessions, financial simulation games, and guidance from experts in banking and financial planning.
Key modules introduced included income management, financial planning, savings, investments, risk management, and the use of digital financial instruments.
The programme was officiated by YBrs Dr. Mohd Anuar Bin Abdullah, Deputy Director of the Instructional Development Sector, Special Education Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia.
Also, in attendance were YBrs. Dr. Nur Laili Ab Ghani, representative of the Dean of UKM Graduate School of Business,YBrs. Rosiah Mohamed Ariff, principal of SMKPK Bumbong Lima, YBrs. Anes Juwita Yahya, Manager, Financial Inclusion Division, Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) and YBrs. Amizan bin Hj Ahmad, Assistance Vice President, Northern Region, RHB Bank Berhad.
According to Dr. Nur Laili Ab Ghani, this program not only aims to build a basic understanding of financial management among person with disabilities student but also supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly in reducing educational inequality and improving the economic well-being of this group.
"This programme is a proactive step in shaping a brighter future for students with special needs. With strong financial knowledge, they will be better prepared to manage their lives independently and make wiser financial decisions," she said.
Meanwhile, Siti Zanariah Makhdar, Project Director, stated that the programme is a major achievement for Team ELITE and reflects their commitment to inclusive financial education.
"We are extremely proud to organise this programme and witness its positive impact on person with disabilities student. Financial education is a fundamental skill that everyone, including individuals with special needs, must master. With the right guidance, they can build confidence in managing their own finances," she said.
Aligned with Global Money Week 2025, this programme serves as an important platform to promote financial literacy awareness from an early age.
With its successfulimplementation, Team ELITE hopes that this program will continue in the future and become a model for other special education schools in Malaysia.
For further inquiries or additional information regarding this program, please contact: elitmbagroup@gmail.com or 019-2192878.
