Experiential financial education through SULAM: bridging financial theory and practice in community engagement

Project Komuniti Bijak Pelaburan was initiated as an educational intervention to address the longstanding shortfall in Bumiputera equity ownership, which remains below the national 30 percent target outlined since the New Economic Policy (NEP) and reiterated under the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 (SPV 2030). Implemented through a three-month electronic Service Learning Malaysia University for Society (e-SULAM) framework, the project delivers structured financial literacy and stock investment training to diverse and vulnerable demographics, including the B40 income group, single mothers, factory workers, and retirees, thereby mitigating susceptibility to fraudulent investment schemes. Utilizing a curriculum of five core modules, the initiative integrates experiential knowledge transfer where university students operationalize Course Learning Outcome 4 (CLO 4) and Program Learning Outcome 4 (PLO 4) by coaching participants in fundamental analysis, technical analysis, and simulated trading on the Bursa Market Place platform. Supported by an industry partnership with CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., participants transition from theoretical simulations to live equity investing under licensed brokerage guidance. The project demonstrates a dual-impact model that strengthens students' pedagogical and interpersonal capabilities while actively advancing Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4: Quality Education) and socioeconomic empowerment through retail market participation.