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Recently, the Actuarial Science Club (ASC) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) embarked on an industrial visit to Malaysian Life Reinsurance Group Berhad (MLRe), giving students the opportunity to step into a professional reinsurance environment and observe how the industry operates in practice.

Under the guidance of Mr Nicholas Yong Jia Wei (Lecturer, School of Mathematics, Actuarial and, Quantitative Studies at APU), students gained deeper insight into the reinsurance sector and the evolving role of actuaries, strengthening their understanding of how theoretical knowledge is translated into real-world risk assessment, strategic planning, and industry decision-making. 

Insights from the Reinsurance Industry

The visit began with a sharing session by Mr Liew Min Liang, Chief Financial Officer at MLRe, who offered students an insider’s perspective on the reinsurance industry and its evolving landscape.

Drawing from his professional experience, he highlighted how reinsurance plays a critical role in managing long-term risk and supporting financial stability, while also emphasising the importance of discipline, adaptability, and continuous learning in building a sustainable career.

Through practical industry examples, students gained deeper insight into how current advancements are influencing actuarial and financial decision-making, reinforcing the increasing importance of data literacy and technological competence in today’s reinsurance environment.

Expanding Career horizons

The session continued with Ms Nurul Sheila Khalib, Chief Retakaful Officer at MLRe, who shared her journey as an actuarial graduate and her career progression within the reinsurance and retakaful sector.

Throughout her session, she encouraged students to remain open-minded when considering their future careers, emphasising that actuarial training equips graduates with versatile skills applicable across a wide range of professional pathways, beyond traditional actuarial roles.

Her candid reflections and practical advice offered students valuable perspectives on career decision-making and personal development, providing insights that extend beyond academic learning.

Operational exposure

Lastly, the visit concluded with an office tour, during which students observed various departments and gained a clearer understanding of MLRe’s organisational structure and day-to-day operations.

This exposure allowed students to better visualise how actuarial functions work collaboratively with other teams within a professional reinsurance environment, reinforcing their appreciation of the interconnected roles and cross-functional collaboration required in industry practice.

Where Theory meets Industry

Overall, the industrial visit to MLRe was a meaningful learning experience that deepened students’ understanding of the reinsurance industry and the evolving role of actuaries within it.

The structured sessions, professional sharing, and operational exposure provided students with practical context that complemented their academic learning.

By engaging directly with industry professionals and observing real-world operations, students were able to clearly see how actuarial theories are applied in professional practice, reinforcing the connection between classroom learning and industry realities.