CTOS and Monash sign MoU to advance research into the state of consumer credit for the nation

CTOS Digital Berhad and Monash University Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on data insights and analytics to advance research into the nation’s credit health.

(L-R) Professor Nafis Alam, Head of School of Business, Monash University Malaysia; Professor Matthew Nicholson, Vice President of Research & Development, Monash University Malaysia; Eric Hamburger, Group CEO of CTOS Digital Berhad and Eric Chin, CEO of CTOS Data Systems Sdn Bhd were present at the recent MOU signing between CTOS Digital Berhad and Monash University Malaysia to advance research into the nation’s credit health through collaboration on data insights and analytics.

The recently-inked MoU will facilitate industry-academia cooperation through research, analysis and exchange of ideas.

CTOS Digital Berhad, through its wholly owned subsidiary CTOS Data Systems Sdn Bhd, the leading credit reporting agency in Malaysia, has been enabling people to gain access to credit for over 30 years.

“Our hope is that with this MOU signing today, we can further expand on what insights we can offer Malaysia,” announced Eric Hamburger, Group CEO of CTOS Digital Berhad, at the signing ceremony. “We know that the importance of understanding data and utilizing the findings cannot be overstated. CTOS has the largest consumer and business credit database in Malaysia, and we are uniquely positioned to provide the most accurate assessment of the country’s credit situation. Our deep analytical capabilities combined with Monash’s research strength, can help the public, businesses, legislators, regulators, and other governmental organizations gain the best insights into the state of consumer credit in Malaysia as well as the economy as a whole.”

According to the Elsevier, one of the largest publishers of academic journals, university and industry collaborations have become much more prevalent in the past 10 years, where complementary skillsets have been identified.

“Monash University is committed to being excellent, international, enterprising and inclusive; goals that are shared by our partner, CTOS Digital” said Professor Matthew Nicholson, Vice President (Research & Development) of Monash University Malaysia. “Monash University is also committed to addressing the global challenges of our age, of which the development and maintenance of thriving communities is at the forefront. A fundamental part of ensuring we live in and among thriving communities is growth in financial literacy, growth in financial independence and growth in financial security, for individuals, families, communities and businesses. In this context, there is no better partnership for Monash University Malaysia than CTOS Digital, a company that is positioned at the very heart of Malaysia’s financial ecosystem.”

Leading the analytics from Monash will be Professor Nafis Alam, Head of School of Business, Monash University Malaysia: “As a research and impact champion, Monash University is excited to partner with CTOS Digital and together we envisage providing answers to economic and financial issues. We hope this partnership will lead to the beginning of cutting-edge research in credit scoring and the economic well-being of individuals, institutions and society as a whole. At Monash, we are excited to work with CTOS and are looking forward to jointly publishing impactful research output from this partnership.”