Universiti Kuala Lumpur Business School (UniKL BIS) brought the perspectives of its future business leaders into the national conversation on integrity and good governance through the InvestSmart Sprint: Youth Voice for Future-Ready Governance programme held at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) tower.
A total of 48 UniKL BIS students participated in the programme, gaining direct exposure to issues surrounding investment governance, integrity and corruption risk management within Malaysia’s investment ecosystem.
Their participation provided an opportunity to move beyond classroom discussions and engage with real governance challenges, while developing ideas on how transparency, accountability and ethical decision-making can contribute to a stronger and more trusted investment environment.
Organised by the Investment Risk Focus Group (FGRP) under the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) Special Task Force, the programme adopted a sprint-based approach in which participants identified challenges, generated ideas and developed practical and innovative solutions related to integrity and investment governance.
The programme was officiated by MITI Deputy Secretary-General (Investment and Management), YBrs. Mr. Jaya Singam Rajoo, and was also attended by UniKL Business School Dean Dr. Azizan Mohd Isa, alongside representatives from the National Governance Planning Division and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
The involvement of UniKL Business School reflects the university’s emphasis on developing future-ready graduates with strong business, leadership and ethical governance competencies.
Exposure to policymakers, government agencies and investment stakeholders also strengthens experiential learning by connecting academic knowledge with Malaysia’s economic and institutional priorities.
The programme was delivered through the strategic involvement of FGRP members comprising the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development (MECD), Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) and Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC).
Through this multi-agency engagement, UniKL BIS students were able to better understand how integrity and good governance influence investor confidence, institutional credibility and the sustainability of Malaysia’s investment landscape.
The initiative also supports Malaysia’s broader ambition to strengthen its performance in the CPI, including the national aspiration of reaching the top 25 by 2030, while nurturing young people who recognise integrity as a fundamental component of sustainable economic development.
For UniKL BIS, the programme reinforces its role in preparing graduates who can contribute not only to business performance but also to responsible leadership, transparent institutions and sustainable economic growth.
The initiative aligns particularly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, through its emphasis on integrity, transparency, accountability and effective governance.
It also contributes to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by supporting a trusted investment environment, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration between higher education, government agencies and national institutions.
