Meeting the Vice Chancellor

Twenty one professors were invited for a tea & discussion session with the vice chancellor today. Basically the VC shares with us his vision for UiTM. ARI's focus on financial criminology for the next three years fits well with the VC's vision of establishing the forensic studies in Shah Alam. So, within the forensic study framework, ARI and the Faculty of Accountancy can contribute significantly by producing forensic accounting graduates and researchers. God willing ARI also hopes to establish its own forensic lab in 2010. The lab will be equipped with contemporary tools such as polygraph machines, document analyzer and identification verifier.

NAfMA 2010 Opens

The Organizing Committee (OC) of the National Award for Management Accounting (NAfMA) had its first meeting today.
Apart from discussing post mortem issues of the previous NAfMA 2009, the committee had also elaborated on improvement initiatives for NAfMA 2010. More corporate visits and NAfMA workshops will be organized. The OC meeting was followed by an appreciation dinner for all NAfMA 2009 assessors.

Visiting Professors in Financial Criminology

ARI is planning to bring in three international professors whose expertise are in the area of financial criminology and forensic accounting as visiting professors for the institute. Professor Glen Moyes from Texas Pan University, USA is renowned for his research and publication in financial fraud red flags. Prof Sardar Islam from Victoria University has written papers on governance and financial integrity of the capital market. Prof Behnaz from Missouri has diversed research interest which includes forensic accounting.

NAfMA Appreciation Dinner and Post-Mortem

CIMA Malaysia & MIA are calling for a post-mortem meeting on this Friday 5th February to discuss on matters related to NAfMA 2009. This will be followed by an appreciation dinner for all members of three main committes: NAfMA Organising Committee (OC) Assessment criteria committee and NAfMA Assessment Committee. The meeting will also discuss on the forthcoming NAfMA 2010 event...

Dana Kecemerlangan for ARI

Thanks to the university's Research Management Institute (RMI) for giving the trust for ARI to manage its own "Dana Kecemerlangan" for newly recruited lecturers. The university has given ARI RM100,000 for such purpose. Lecturers and ARI members are encouraged to apply for the grant. Please download Dana Kecemerlangan grant form fro RMI and submit the applications directly to ARI.

Applied Research Proposal Presentation

Eleven applied research proposals were presented by the Master in Forensic Accounting & Financial Criminology students early today. Basically the students are given a time frame of twelve weeks to complete and submit the final draft report of their projects. Students are basically encouraged to carry out research projects related to financial criminology that might be affecting their own organizations. At the end of the semester, ARI hopes to publish some of these projects either in the forms of books of readings or journal articles.

Possible Research Collaboration with Deloitte Malaysia

Today, ARI and the Faculty of Accountancy received some visitors from one of the Big Four Accounting firms - Deloitte Malaysia. Deloitte was represented by Mr Nizar Najib (Executive Director),Ms Afzan Mahmood (Senior Executive HR), Ms Fiona Chin (Talent Specialist), Mr Kamarul Baharin (Partner), Mr Y. Y Lam (Director HR) and Mr Abdullah Khairi Ahmad (Associate Director). Representing UiTM were Prof Dr Ibrahim Kamal, Prof Dr Normah, Prof Dr Suzana, Prof Dr Rozainun, AP Dr Zuraidah, AP Mahfudzah and Mr Eizrien. The two-way discussions involved possible collaboration in scouting for new talents, research in forensic accounting, teaching, oversea internship and students placement. The meeting was extremely useful as it could further enhance collaboration and networking between the two entities. Deloitte has a specialised forensic accounting unit under its Financial Advisory Division with which ARI can potentially collaborate with.

Academic Performance Audit (APA)

Our university is undergoing the two week-long academic performance audit (APA) this week: 26 - 29 january 2010. Today was a special session where the auditors interviewed the heads of seven selected centres of excellence in UiTM (ARI, Mitrans, MEDEC, NASEC etc).
The nine focus areas being audited are namely:
1) Vision, Mission, Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes
2) Curriculum Design and Delivery
3) Assessment of Students
4) Student Selection and Support Services
5) Academic Staff
6) Educational Resources
7) Programme Monitoring and Review
8) Leadership, Governance and Administration
9) Continual Quality Improvement

ARI-IPN Publication Plans...

ARI and the Accountants General Office are planning to publish two books of readings on public sector accounting and to embark on two research projects this year (2010). The second meeting to discuss important operational issues was held today in UiTM. Basically it was agreed that the tasks will be shared by both ARI's and IPN's staff in carrying out the collaborative projects. As ARI's focus is on financial criminology, one of the research projects to be undertaken by the team is to investigate the relevant skills required of forensic accountants in the public sector....

Corporate Integrity - Research Lab

ARI participated in a Corporate Integrity Research lab: co-organized by the Malaysian Institute of Integrity and the Securities Commissions.
Twenty selected participants from among the professionals, corporate practitioners, regulators and academia were invited to the one-day lab held at the Securities Commission Learning Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Basically the participants will form the working group for developing the forthcoming Corporate Integrity Framework for the country. The event was graced by SC managing director Dato Dr Nik Ramlah Mahmood.