Awareness of ASB I-Financing among muamalat students at UiTM Machang Campus

Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) i-Financing is a Shariah-compliant investment product designed to promote financial inclusion and enhance the economic well-being of the Bumiputera community in Malaysia. Despite its potential as a vital financial tool, awareness and understanding of this product remain limited, particularly among Muamalat students at UiTM Machang campus. This issue may stem from insufficient exposure to practical financial products and misconceptions about the features of Shariah-compliant financing. This study aims to assess students' awareness of ASB i-Financing, identify prevailing misconceptions, and propose strategies to enhance their understanding. A total of 159 Muamalat students at UiTM Machang were selected as the study sample, with data collected via structured questionnaires. The findings reveal that 92.5% of students are aware of ASB i-Financing and recognize it as a Shariah-compliant product. However, only 26.4% have actively used the product, highlighting a gap between knowledge and practical application. Factors such as financial literacy, peer influence, and understanding of Islamic finance principles were identified as significant determinants of attitudes and intentions toward using the product. This study recommends focused educational initiatives, more effective marketing strategies, and greater integration of practical Islamic finance knowledge into the curriculum to enhance awareness and utilization of Shariah-compliant financial instruments among students. These findings aim to contribute to the development of financial literacy and prepare students for professional roles in the field of Islamic finance.