In conjunction with the Malaysian Journalism Awards hosted by Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), Public Bank sponsored RM7,500 in support of the award entries.
 
The mock cheque was presented by Pn. Norida Mohamed, Director of Public Affairs Division to Dr. Mohamad Safar Hasim, MPI board of trustees member at Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2021.
 
The Award recognises the nation’s best journalism works and products on the three categories, namely ‘Outstanding Photo Journalism’, ‘Outstanding Photo Essay’ and ‘Best
Infographic’.
 
The gold winner took home RM10,000; while the silver and bronze winners received RM1,500 and RM1,000 respectively, in addition to certificates and trophies.
 
MPI was instituted as a foundation under the Malaysia’s Company Act of 1965 mainly to provide basic training in journalism for Malaysian media practitioners.
 
As of today, MPI offers short and practical courses, workshops, seminars to local journalists, as well as collaboration with University Utara Malaysia (UUM) in providing diploma in journalism, master programme for managerial communication and media management for graduates.

In conjunction with the 64th Merdeka celebration, Public Bank and UCSI University organised a National English Language Essay Competition aimed to encourage Malaysian secondary school students to be interested in social and community issues of the nation by expressing their thoughts in written English essay.
 
The competition was first piloted in 2019, and this year, UCSI University gave away RM20,000 worth of prizes and tuition fee waivers of up to RM100,000 to the winners of the competition.
 
The given topic of the competition was “Malaysia celebrates its 64th Independence Day this year 2021. To you, what does gaining independence mean and how does it impact the future generation of the nation?”
 
As the Main Sponsor of this competition, Managing Director of Public Bank, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Tay Ah Lek believes that this initiative would promote the use of English language as it is an important tool to equip the younger generation with English proficiency as a business language used worldwide.
 
Tan Sri Tay also said that the Bank’s affirmative action in this continuous collaboration is laudable as it will definitely enhance the prestige and importance in promoting the use of English language amongst our youths, and enhance our competitiveness in the long run which will benefit our country.

On 25 August 2021, Public Bank and Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) presented the PB Top Achiever Award to exceptional graduates from the Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) and Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) via e-Ceremony on Microsoft Teams.
 
The PB Top Achiever Award is given annually as part of PB-UTAR partnership and the award winners were selected by academic assessment based on their CGPA results and soft skills points. The award winners were chosen among 10 shortlisted finalists by the committee members after the interview.
 
A total of six UTAR graduates were selected as the award winners of PB Top Achiever Award. They were Law Xin Wei, Tan Shu Qing and Eliza Siak Jie Ying from FAM; Wong Suet Yee, Ooi Yee Chern and Law Yen Thong from FBF. These graduates were the first group of recipients to receive this award.
 
Also present at the e-ceremony were Ms. Koay Seok Khim, Senior General Manager of Knowledge and Learning Division, Ms. Mary Ng Poh Lyn, General Manager of Human Capital Management Division and Mr. Dennis Lai Koah Vui, Head of Business Enhancement and Service Design. They were welcomed by Ir Prof Dr. Ewe Hong Tat, President of UTAR, Mr. Yim Lin Heng, Registrar, Dr. Sia Bee Chuan, Dean of FAM, Assoc Prof Dr. Au Yong Hui Nee, Dean of FBF, deputy deans, directors, award recipients and UTAR staff.
 
Prof Ewe expressed his gratitude to Public Bank Berhad and congratulated the recipients on their academic achievement.
 
He added, “The pandemic has made students’ learning experience more challenging. They have to rely on technology to study online and have to be more independent without the physical meetings with friends and lecturers in class. So, it is even more significant for these students when they excel in their studies and a reward such as this by Public Bank is truly appreciated.”
 
Impressed with the quality of education provided by UTAR, Ms. Koay also complimented the quality exhibited by the candidates as a reflection of the quality of education UTAR offers.
 
She further commented that Public Bank and UTAR share a common trait as both of the organisation inspire for excellence and this pursuit of excellence forges the collaboration between Public Bank and UTAR.
 
“I would like to share some advice from our Founder and Chairman Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow. He has always said that young leaders must have passion for work, be disciplined and consistent in all their action to avoid being trapped in the realm of mediocrity.
 
Although this pandemic had brought a lot of economic hardship and loss of life, we must always be mindful that in every adversity there is an opportunity.
 
It is very important for us to remain resilient and optimistic as tough times don’t last, but tough people do. And I would like to say we in Public Bank welcome all graduates to be part of the Public Bank family,” she added.

The first place winners Law Xin Wei from FAM and Wong Suet Yee from FBF were awarded with cash prize of RM2,500, an award certificate and a plaque each 

Our frontliners have continued to devote their time and energy to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The nation is humbled by their immense sacrifices, invaluable dedication, commitment and unwavering efforts in managing this pandemic.
 
In an effort to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the frontliners, Public Bank organised a food distribution to frontliners who were tested positive for COVID-19 in Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) on 1 March 2021.
 
As at time of distribution, there were about 300 frontliners from HKL who were tested positive and were quarantined in the hospital. The Bank contributed a total of 100 lunch food packs per day for a duration of 10 days.
 
Public Bank will continue to be a caring and responsible corporate citizen towards charitable causes.

Public Bank collaborated with IJN Foundation by sponsoring RM10,000 to the foundation to support their Food Bank Voucher Programme on 7 December 2021.
 
The program was initiated with the objective of looking after the wellbeing of the underprivileged heart patients primarily for the B40 category especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The contribution was for the procurement of Food Bank Vouchers that can be used to purchase household necessities. 67 patients and their family who are from the said category were assisted through this program.

Public Bank Group, Hong Kong took part in The Community Chest to raise funds for the underprivileged on 28 October 2021.
 
The initiative has been continuously supported by the Group for the last two decades as part of its CSR efforts. The funds collected were donated to the needy for a worthy cause.
 
With the slogan of ‘We We Wear Wear’ in line with its casual wear theme, a total amount of HK$10,430 was contributed by 90 staff benefitting over 165 welfare member services of The Community Chest.
 
Over the years, this charitable activity has promoted a caring culture amongst staff and inspired them to contribute generously to the society.

Public Bank Group, Hong Kong organised a ‘Christmas Gifts for Children’ donation from 19 November to 10 December 2021.
 
The donation was aimed to comfort bereaved children under the care of Comfort Care Concern Group, a non-profit charitable organisation in Hong Kong that promotes comfort care to the terminally ill children and their families.
 
A total of 24 staff across the Group namely Branch Banking, Company Secretary and HP & Leasing Department from Public Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Centralised Telemarketing Team and Account Department from Public Finance Limited as well as Lai Chi Kok Branch from Winton Financial Limited contributed generously with a total donation amounted HK$11,500.
 
The fund was used to purchase about 80 gifts comprising of stationeries, sports and art crafts, educational toys, and among others for the children.
 
The Group will continue to play the role in caring for the needy as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.