KUALA LUMPUR, 10 December 2025 – Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) today marked a milestone in its mission to cultivate digitally skilled talent for the financial services industry with the graduation of 50 students from its flagship Program Akar Powered by AWS re/Start. Delivered through World Education Placement Services Sdn. Bhd. (WEPS), Program Akar is PayNet’s first national talent development initiative designed to address Malaysia’s digital skills gap by equipping future leaders with globally recognised cloud and digital payments expertise at no cost.
The initiative aligns with the national call for stronger digital talent development, as emphasised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has highlighted the need for young Malaysians to be equipped with skills for technological and digital transformation beyond traditional academic pathways.
“The future of the industry depends on a strong, digital-ready talent pipeline. PayNet’s Program Akar is helping shape that future by equipping emerging talent with relevant skills, hands-on industry experience, and the confidence to thrive in a tech-driven world,” said Shafenaz Farouk, Chief People Officer at PayNet.
The programme initially enrolled 100 students, with 50 forming the first pilot cohort at the Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU). Financial institutions, including Bank Negara, Maybank, Public Bank, CIMB, and Bank Islam, have expressed interest in exploring internship and job placement pathways for Akar graduates, signalling strong industry adoption. PayNet played a central role in shaping the curriculum to ensure industry-relevant skills, while AWS provided training resources, cloud services, and technical expertise.
Over 14 weeks, participants gained foundational cloud skills and digital payments knowledge, complemented by a values-driven enrichment programme. Graduates were awarded multiple certifications, including the AWS re/Start Certificate of Completion, AWS Cloud Practitioner, Digital Payments Certificate, and Values-Driven Enrichment Programme Certificate, signifying readiness for industry roles.
“Cloud skills are fundamental to how Malaysia’s financial institutions run, innovate, and scale, and they now form the backbone for Malaysia’s next phase of AI-driven transformation,” said Hussein Mohd. Ali, Country Manager, AWS Malaysia. “PayNet has taken a leadership role in recognising this shift and investing early in a talent pipeline that is not only cloud-ready but AI-ready. Through Program Akar Powered by AWS re/Start, participants gain practical capabilities to contribute immediately to the financial services ecosystem, from modern digital payments to emerging AI applications. AWS is proud to deepen our collaboration with PayNet and will continue supporting the growth of a highly skilled Malaysian workforce that can accelerate the nation’s ambitions in digital finance and responsible AI innovation.”
Mughilen Rathakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer of WEPS, added:
“Program Akar powered by AWS re/Start is more than a training initiative; it is a bridge that connects young Malaysians to real opportunity. Malaysia already has incredible talent; all they need is the right pathway. Program Akar gives them that pathway, and we are honoured to help them walk it.”
With Cohort 2 already delivering strong outcomes, PayNet is building momentum and remains committed to nurturing talent for the wider ecosystem.
“Through continuous collaboration with our partners across the financial sector, we are ensuring that Program Akar is aligned to industry needs and addresses critical talent gaps,” Shafenaz noted.
Globally, AWS re/Start operates in more than 60 countries, with 98 percent of graduates securing job interview opportunities. It is one of the initiatives that has helped AWS train over 31 million learners across 200 countries and territories through its free training programmes, underscoring the global impact of cloud-driven upskilling.
