We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Shaun Wang as Associate Director of the IFoA’s Actuarial Research Centre (ARC).

Shaun Wang is Professor of Actuarial Science and Director of the Insurance Risk and Finance Research Centre (IRFRC) at the Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.  An internationally renowned expert on quantitative risk modelling and enterprise risk management Professor Wang is the inventor of the "Wang Transform", a widely-cited actuarial formula for pricing risks.

With a focus on the Asia Pacific, Professor Wang will support the quality of the research delivered through the ARC and provide academic oversight. Part of his role also involves acting as an ambassador for the ARC and we were delighted to hear from Professor Wang at a recent workshop for academics in Kuala Lumpur.

Ben Kemp, General Counsel, will be visiting Kuala Lumpur and Singapore from 13 to 17 June 2016.  Ben’s directorate oversees regulation and professionalism of IFoA members, and is keen to receive feedback and exchange thoughts with members in the region.

Should you (or your employer) be interested in meeting with Ben, please contact Caryn Chua.

Our General Insurance Board are launching a regional Working Party in Asia to better support members who are based in the region.

If you are interested in joining the working party or would like to suggest topics that the Working Party in Asia could cover, please view the details on our volunteer vacancies webpage or contact Debbie Atkins.

We are very grateful to members of the IFoA who volunteer to support the profession.  Please consider volunteering for one of the following roles:

• Risk Management Board – International Member based in Asia
• GI International Working Party – seeking Chair and Members
• Join the 400 Club reserve list
• Join the International Feedback Group.

For details of these and all other current opportunities, please visit the volunteer vacancies webpage or contact Debbie Atkins, Head of Volunteer Engagement.

"I started my journey as a volunteer with the IFoA in 2015 when I was recruited to be the representative of South-East Asia in the inaugural International Student Consultative Forum (ISCF).  The ISCF was set up to discuss opportunities and challenges faced by students outside the UK.

My role in the ISCF has also given me the opportunity to engage with many actuarial students in my region.  By sharing their experience, thoughts and concerns with the IFoA Education team, I hope I can somewhat contribute in shaping the future of aspiring actuaries.

To all students, we can be reached at asia.iscf@actuaries.org.uk.  We welcome your queries, suggestions and comments, and look forward to hearing from you."

Our qualifications are highly regarded by our members globally. There are currently over 14,000 individuals studying for these qualifications. One of the regular requests received from those sitting exams is greater clarity on what they need to achieve to pass.

As part of the ongoing efforts to support those studying, we are pleased to announce that for any exam sat after 1 March 2016, for the CAA, Associate or Fellowship qualification, candidates will receive their percentage exam mark. Exam pass marks will also be published on the pass list and in the examiners’ report for each exam.

Further details, including what results documentation a candidate will receive, will be added to our webpages over the months leading up to June when the first results under the new system will be released.