My name is Yap Xin Yi from Malaysia. I am currently a first-year, second-semester student in the Master in FinTech (MSFT) program at the School of Finance, Renmin University of China (RUC). I earned my bachelor’s degree in International Economics and Trade from the International Business School at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). Having already experienced the high quality of China’s higher education during my undergraduate studies, I was motivated to further pursue a master’s degree here. RUC, as one of China’s most prestigious universities with a strong focus on humanities and social sciences and particularly known for its finance and economics disciplines, became my top choice.

My decision to specialize in FinTech was deeply influenced by the post-pandemic digital transformation in Malaysia. FinTech has surged, with digital payments becoming a part of everyday life. A notable case is the Touch ’n Go e-Wallet, a joint venture between Malaysia’s TNG Digital and China’s Ant Group. Learning that such a key driver of Malaysia’s digital payment landscape originated from China-Ant Group collaboration inspired me to study FinTech in China, the global leader in this field. Additionally, Malaysia is actively embracing a digital economy. The MSFT curriculum at RUC perfectly aligned with my aspirations. It blends essential financial knowledge with emerging areas like Artificial Intelligence and its application in finance, digital currency and blockchain finance, and big data analytics. This combination equips students with up-to-date industry insights and broadens career opportunities in the fintech era.

Studying at RUC offers an ideal platform. The university’s modern infrastructure and friendly teaching staff create an excellent learning atmosphere. The MSFT program brings together classmates from diverse countries, fostering a multicultural environment that significantly broadens my global perspective. Interacting with peers from various backgrounds allows us to share different fintech developments and cultural insights. The faculty consists of leading scholars and industry practitioners who integrate real-world cases into teaching. Courses such as Corporate Finance, Financial Market Analysis, China’s Finance and Taxation, and Application of Big Data in Finance have equipped me with solid practical skills. Through this program, I am gaining comprehensive FinTech knowledge and a global vision that I plan to bring back to Malaysia to contribute to my country’s digital finance transformation.