Using software to teach students
AS one of Malaysia’s premier institutions of higher learning, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) has made a name for itself as a leading provider of professional business education in Malaysia.
Established in 1971 under the name School of Business Studies, TAR UC’s Faculty of Accountancy, Finance and Business (FAFB) has proven to be the preferred choice for a professional accounting programme and a leading centre in finance.
To provide a hands-on learning experience for finance students, TAR UC has set up the advanced Investment Share Trading Room in FAFB.
The Investment Share Trading Room simulates a financial trading floor, enhancing the effectiveness of classroom teaching with an interactive share trading experience.
Bachelor of Finance and Investment (Hons) and Bachelor of Banking and Finance (Hons) students get to utilise the room during their tutorial classes, as well as to prepare for inter-varsity investment trading competitions.
This enables them to acquire working experience on share trading using live share price feeds from Bursa Malaysia.
Students also learn the practicalities of share trading such as buy-sell spread, order type, price adjustments, liquidity and commission.
The Investment Share Trading Room caters to investment-related courses such as principles of investment, investment and financial analysis, equity analysis and portfolio management.
With 32 terminals equipped with real-time share market simulator software, students hone their skills and get industry-relevant exposure in finance and investment.
“The Investment Share Trading Room makes teaching more exciting as students show great enthusiasm for real-time trading experience,” said associate dean of the Department of Finance Chai Ming Perng.
As a teaching tool, the simulator demonstrates many market-related terminologies using real-life examples, Chai added.
Third-year Bachelor of Banking and Finance (Hons) student Law Ken Kiet was part of the pioneer batch of students who used the software simulator in their lessons.
“This facility equips students with handson experience in stock market trading, rather than just relying on books,” said Law.
“After using it, I now have some knowledge on basic stock indicators such as moving average, Relative Strength Index and how to study a technical chart.
“By incorporating this software, students can understand the process instead of memorising and regurgitating information without actually learning anything.”
Law added that the knowledge he gained will provide him with a solid foundation when he enters the working world.
“This programme exposed me to many aspects and types of investment and financial management, how to set up an enterprise, taxation of income from business and investment and so on.”
FAFB offers accounting, business and finance programmes at diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Its academic collaboration with Coventry University, UK and Sheffield Hallam University, UK allows it to offer students dual-award programmes. Students can then earn two qualifications, one from TAR UC and another from TAR UC’s partner institution, enhancing their career prospects.
Attractive scholarships are also available at TAR UC on the basis of academic merit and sibling discount for qualified students.