During the previous semester break from 24 January to 18 February 2026, some of our first-year and second-year students had the opportunity to participate in internships at various companies. Congratulations to everyone for completing their internship successfully and our utmost gratitude to the management and staff at each company for accepting our students!

During this period, a second-year student, Asyraf Kazuki, undertook an internship at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC).

Below is a comment about his internship experience:

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My internship at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Malaysia (SMBC MY) was an invaluable experience that allowed me to gain practical exposure to sustainability practices within the banking sector. I was mainly attached to the President’s Office division, where sustainability initiatives are coordinated. During this internship, I had the privilege of working under the supervision and guidance of experienced professionals who provided not only technical knowledge but also valuable insights into professional mindset and workplace culture.

 

One of the key figures during my internship was Norihiro Oyanagi, the Deputy President and Chief Sustainability Officer (CSuO). As my senior leader, he often shared insightful perspectives on how employees should shape their mindset in the workplace, especially within SMBC MY. His experience and leadership provided me with valuable lessons about responsibility, professionalism, and the importance of sustainability within financial institutions. In addition, I was supervised directly by Shunsuke Machiyama, who consistently guided me throughout my tasks. Despite his busy schedule, he always took the time to review my reports, provide constructive feedback, and encourage reflection on my work. His approachable personality also made the experience enjoyable, as he often invited me for lunch and discussions, creating a supportive learning environment.

 

The internship objectives set by SMBC Group focused on several important areas. The objectives of the internship included understanding sustainability-related banking regulations imposed by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), reviewing sustainability practices of other Malaysian banks, understanding SMBC MY’s sustainability practices, and proposing initiatives related to sustainable practices for the bank.

Throughout the internship, I carried out several tasks related to sustainability research and analysis. I studied important regulatory frameworks such as the Climate Risk Management and Scenario Analysis (CRMSA) policy and the TCFD Application Guide. I also reviewed internal disclosure materials produced by SMBC MY, including the Climate Related Disclosure 2025 report. In addition, I analyzed sustainability reports issued by ten Malaysian banks and conducted a comparative analysis between their disclosures and those of SMBC MY. Based on these comparisons, I prepared recommendations aimed at enhancing SMBC MY’s sustainability disclosures and communication practices.

Apart from research and analytical work, I was also involved in several external and corporate social responsibility activities. I participated in SMBC Group’s “giving back to the community” initiatives, including discussions involving Japanese and Malaysian business representatives and student presentations. I also had the opportunity to deliver a presentation at the DOJO program and participated in the Japan-Malaysia Talent Bridge event at University of Malaya. During these events, SMBC MY shared information about the company with Malaysian students, including internship and career opportunities. Furthermore, I was given the opportunity to share my own internship experience with visiting students who came for a field trip to SMBC MY. These activities allowed me to contribute to SMBC MY’s public relations efforts while also developing my communication skills.

Beyond the formal objectives of the internship, there were many hidden lessons that I gained from this experience. One of the most interesting aspects was observing the working environment of a Japanese company operating outside of Japan. I had the opportunity to see how Japanese working culture coexists with Malaysian working culture, demonstrating the flexibility and adaptability of the SMBC Group. It was also interesting to observe how Japanese companies strive to remain competitive and build strong businesses while operating alongside many local companies in Malaysia.

Another important personal development during this internship was the improvement of my Japanese language proficiency. Since many communications in the workplace were conducted in Japanese, I was able to practice using the language in a professional environment, which required a more formal style compared to the Japanese I usually use in daily life with family or friends.

Overall, this internship provided me with both professional knowledge and personal growth. I gained practical understanding of sustainability regulations in the banking industry, improved my analytical and research skills through comparative studies of sustainability disclosures, and learned valuable workplace attitudes from experienced professionals. Moreover, interacting with many skilled individuals within the President’s Office division allowed me to build meaningful connections and gain inspiration for my future career. This internship at SMBC MY has therefore been an extremely meaningful experience that has strengthened my interest in sustainability and the financial sector.

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We hope that experiences like this will inspire other UTMy students to actively seek opportunities to explore different industries and develop their professional skills.

As a Japanese university, UTMy encourages students to undertake shorter internships during semester breaks. This approach allows students to gain experience with different companies and industries, helping them better understand their interests and future career paths.