Bridging Actuarial Communities:
International Roadshow with AAID

A snapshot of both Malaysian Actuarial Student Association (MASA) and Komunitas Anak Aktuaria Indonesia (AAID) doing the signature 'M' MASA pose

On 16th November 2025, the Malaysian Actuarial Student Association (MASA) and Komunitas Anak Aktuaria Indonesia (AAID) came together for the AAID x MASA International Roadshow, a virtual event dedicated to fostering collaboration and strengthening connections within the student actuarial community. The session began with opening remarks from AAID’s Vice President, Caroline Kurniawan and MASA’s President, Lee Han Yang who expressed their enthusiasm for a cross-border exchange that would bring both associations closer together.

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The programme proceeded with an introduction to AAID, where their committees shared an overview of their organisational structure, activities and ongoing initiatives. MASA followed suit with their own presentation, outlining the leadership structure, major events and efforts to empower actuarial students across Malaysia. Through these exchanges, it became clear that MASA and AAID share a common mission: to unite actuarial students from various universities under a central platform, support their professional development and enrich the actuarial ecosystem in their respective countries.

Several interesting similarities surfaced throughout the sharing session. AAID is supported by major professional bodies, including the Society of Actuaries of Indonesia, the Indonesian General Insurance Association and the Indonesian Sharia Insurance Association; mirroring MASA’s strong affiliation with the Actuarial Society of Malaysia. While the internal structures of both organisations differ, the functional parallels were evident; for instance, MASA’s Corporate Relations team resembles AAID’s External Communication Department, though the latter carries more responsibilities in event organising. Both associations also organise flagship career fairs, Actuarial Festival for AAID and MASA Actuarialogy for MASA. This showcased both sides’ innovative approaches to connecting students with the industry.

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The exchange also highlighted inspiring differences. Notably, AAID’s Diktat AAID initiative, which compiles exam-related summaries and study resources for students or people pursuing actuarial credentials, is a good inspiration and idea for MASA to explore similar support mechanisms, especially given its strong ties with professional bodies like IFoA, SOA and CAS.

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Following the presentations, the session moved on to a light yet meaningful mini panel session, moderated by Jeanne from AAID. With Caroline and Han Yang as panellists, the discussion focused on leadership reflections, personal growth and the challenges faced as student leaders. It offered a candid glimpse into the realities behind leading actuarial student organisations.

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To keep the energy high, MASA Corporate Relations Executives Huey Ling and Se Kee hosted a fun and fast-paced treasure hunt style icebreaking game. Participants raced to find items that matched prompts ranging from study essentials like “something you cannot live without during exams” to country-themed challenges such as “bring an item with your national flag colours”. The game was the highlight of the session, helping both sides bond beyond formal introductions.

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The event then transitioned into breakout rooms, where corresponding departments from both organisations met for focused discussions. Each room explored the responsibilities, workflows and experiences of their counterpart teams. Conversations ranged from MASA’s recent industrial visit to Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPF) — which sparked a discussion on pension systems in both countries, to questions about MASA’s website design and sustainability efforts from the Communications perspective. These exchanges provided valuable insights into how each organisation operates and the challenges they navigate.

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After an enriching round of discussions, everyone reconvened in the main room for a brief closing session and a group photo, a meaningful way to capture the spirit of collaboration that defined the event.

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To conclude the day, leaders from both organisations shared their reflections:

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MASA President Lee Han Yang reflected:
“We are grateful that MASA was involved in the AAID International Roadshow. Through the session, we managed to share how each actuarial student association operated, the similarities and differences of the two organisations. It was also very memorable to have learned that AAID's flagship, Actuarial Festival, was very similar to MASA's Actuarialogy, which is a career fair. The session was nothing short of insightful and it was enjoyful as well. If the opportunity arises, it would be great to be able to meet them face-to-face.”

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AAID President Muh. Fadhil Maulana, despite not being able to attend the session, shared:
“Our roadshow created a meaningful space for both communities to connect through organizational sharing. The flow of insights showed how much potential our collaboration holds, and the limited time made it clear that there’s still more to explore. We’re excited to continue this momentum and explore new collaborative programs together.”

AAID Vice President Caroline Kurniawan added:
“The International Roadshow with MASA was super fun and insightful! We got to exchange cultures and share lots of perspectives on actuarial science from both countries. The experience was truly valuable, though the time felt too short since there was still so much we wanted to discuss. Hopefully, in the future our two communities can collaborate again and continue this exciting journey together!”

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The AAID x MASA International Roadshow stands as a significant step forward in strengthening cross-border connections between actuarial student communities. The collaboration not only broadened perspectives but also set the foundation for future initiatives that will continue to unite and empower aspiring actuaries across the region.