KUALA LUMPUR: PayNet’s flagship Akar programme is fast becoming one of Malaysia’s most significant industry-driven talent pipelines, with the payments network operator positioning the initiative as a long-term engine to prepare the country’s financial sector for a digital-first future.
PayNet group CEO Farhan Ahmad said the country’s accelerating digital transformation demands new forms of talent development that move faster than traditional academic pathways.
“Akar means roots and we are here to plant roots not for trees, but for talent that will give fruit in the future. Stronger roots mean stronger fruit and the fruit here benefits the country,” he said at the “Shaping the Future Workforce: PayNet Akar Digital Talent Showcase and Industry Dialogue” today.
Farhan said Malaysia’s talent potential is strong, but the speed of technological change requires new intervention models to bridge emerging skills gaps. “The change of pace is so fast that traditional curriculums alone cannot keep up. We need to augment them with new skills that are coming together at a breathtaking pace.”
He emphasised that the programme is not driven by industry self-interest, but by a broader national agenda to uplift youth capabilities in cloud, artificial intelligence, data and digital solutions. “Akar is not about payback. It’s not even about the financial services industry. It’s about community, it’s about humanity, and about making a difference.”
The initiative, launched in collaboration with AWS in 2024, has since expanded into a multi-stakeholder effort involving academia, industry partners and placement providers across the financial services ecosystem.
“We could not do this without our board members’ support,” Farhan said, adding that AWS has been a “partner from day one” with “unwavering support and eagerness to jump in with both feet”.
Addressing graduates from the latest cohort, Farhan underscored the need for Malaysia’s young workforce to be equipped with a mindset suited for rapidly evolving technologies.
“The future is not incremental. With AI and quantum computing, the future will have little to no resemblance to the past. You cannot beat that by doing incremental changes. You must act boldly.”
He urged graduates to anchor themselves in purpose, build conviction, stay intensely curious, and sharpen critical thinking, which he described as the single most important skill for navigating an era of misinformation and automation.
AWS Malaysia country head Hussein Mohd Ali said Akar demonstrates how targeted industry intervention can close digital skills gaps while positioning Malaysia’s financial services sector for long-term competitiveness.“Powered by AWS re/Start, it bridges digital skills gaps and fosters benefit-based leadership.”
Hussein lauded PayNet and its partners for shaping a model that integrates industry needs, learner support and institutional collaboration.
He said AWS will continue to support the development of cloud, AI and data professionals, with a second cohort starting this year. “Programme Akar graduates are positioned to lead Malaysia’s financial services into a digital-first era, addressing industry demands for cloud computing, AI and data analytics.”
Hussein also highlighted the importance of sustained ecosystem collaboration. “It takes a village to raise a child. The success of Programme Akar, powered by AWS re/Start, is Malaysia’s,” he said.
As Malaysia accelerates its push towards digital inclusion and economic resilience, Hussein said leadership support remains crucial.
“The vision to provide industry-specific skills requires sponsorship and commitment from all of us in this room,” Hussein told industry leaders.
