Meanwhile ARI was represented by its deputy director, Prof Dr Rashidah Abdul Rahman and two research fellows, Associate Prof Dr Mohd Azam and Associate Prof Dr Ezani. The discussions mainly focused on collaborative research related to Islamic Accounting & Finance as well as shariah auditing. Both Associate Prof Dr Azam and Dr Ezani have recently participated in an international conference related to Tadlis in Home Financing in Iran.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Meeting with Research Delegates from Iran
In its effort to increase research collaboration with various international universities, the Accounting Research Institute (ARI)held a research meeting with delegates from universities in Iran. The Iranian delegates were headed by the Iranian ambassador himself. 
Meanwhile ARI was represented by its deputy director, Prof Dr Rashidah Abdul Rahman and two research fellows, Associate Prof Dr Mohd Azam and Associate Prof Dr Ezani. The discussions mainly focused on collaborative research related to Islamic Accounting & Finance as well as shariah auditing. Both Associate Prof Dr Azam and Dr Ezani have recently participated in an international conference related to Tadlis in Home Financing in Iran.
Meanwhile ARI was represented by its deputy director, Prof Dr Rashidah Abdul Rahman and two research fellows, Associate Prof Dr Mohd Azam and Associate Prof Dr Ezani. The discussions mainly focused on collaborative research related to Islamic Accounting & Finance as well as shariah auditing. Both Associate Prof Dr Azam and Dr Ezani have recently participated in an international conference related to Tadlis in Home Financing in Iran.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Visiting Professor Dr Sakthi Mahenthiran
ARI wishes to welcome and thank visiting professor Dr Sakthi Mahenthiran for spending two weeks at the university. Whilst here, he visited few state campuses which included Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. He also gave talk on publishing in high impact journals, organized a research seminar, evaluated phd students' progress presentations, gave a one-on-one consultation to PhD students and attended research meetings with his co-researchers.
Prof Sakthi who specializes in corporate governance and operation management is from Butler University, Indianapolis, USA. His initial contact with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)dated way back in 2001/2002 when as a Fullbright scholar, he spent several months here at the university. To date he has successfully supervised three PhD students from UiTM. Today, on his last day at the university, he gave his exit report. Many thanks Prof Sakthi...
Prof Sakthi who specializes in corporate governance and operation management is from Butler University, Indianapolis, USA. His initial contact with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)dated way back in 2001/2002 when as a Fullbright scholar, he spent several months here at the university. To date he has successfully supervised three PhD students from UiTM. Today, on his last day at the university, he gave his exit report. Many thanks Prof Sakthi...
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Strategic Planning Interim Review
Today, heads of research centres and SIGs presented their actual achievements - in terms of research grants, research publications, number of post graduate students (enrolled, supervised and graduated), number of paper presentations, innovations as well as number of linkages. 
Seven strategic planning initiatives, code-named as "C-Cure" : C-Cure Publication, C-Cure Principal investigators, C-Cure Post Grad, C-Cure Grant, C-Cure Training & Gifts, C-Cure Innovation and C-Cure Collaboration were also presented by respective project managers and further discussed and deliberated by all participants. All in all, the retreat was very fruitful and effective in delivering the intended objectives. By the 10th of August 2011, a total of 37 papers would be submitted by ARI HICoE researchers as part of their year 1 deliverables. Congratulations
Seven strategic planning initiatives, code-named as "C-Cure" : C-Cure Publication, C-Cure Principal investigators, C-Cure Post Grad, C-Cure Grant, C-Cure Training & Gifts, C-Cure Innovation and C-Cure Collaboration were also presented by respective project managers and further discussed and deliberated by all participants. All in all, the retreat was very fruitful and effective in delivering the intended objectives. By the 10th of August 2011, a total of 37 papers would be submitted by ARI HICoE researchers as part of their year 1 deliverables. Congratulations
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
ARI Research Progress Presentation
ARI publication workshop which was facilitated by Dr Rashid continued this morning. In view of new information needed for journal submission, participants have been given until 10th August 2011 (two weeks) to submit their edited articles to indexed journals. 
Nevertheless, by the end of the workshop this afternoon, several researchers have successfully submitted their papers online. The second day of the retreat was also used to evaluate research progress. Since most research projects cover a period of two years to complete, some have progressed very well. Many have produced good journal publications from their study. Three new research proposals were also presented by ARI's newly appointed research fellows.
Nevertheless, by the end of the workshop this afternoon, several researchers have successfully submitted their papers online. The second day of the retreat was also used to evaluate research progress. Since most research projects cover a period of two years to complete, some have progressed very well. Many have produced good journal publications from their study. Three new research proposals were also presented by ARI's newly appointed research fellows.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
ARI Publication Workshop
The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) organizes a three-day publication workshop cum research progress presentation and strategic planning review. 
The event is attended by ARI fellows, heads of ARI's research centres & SIGs and ARI associate members. Whilst the publication workshop focuses on converting ARI HICoE research findings in Islamic Financial Criminology into indexed journal publication, the event is also used to monitor ARI HICoE research progress and strategic planning implementation. ARI's research fellow, Dr Rashid Amir, an upcoming author of indexed journal publications facilitates the publication workshop. Prof Rashidah, ARI's deputy director, monitors research progress. 
Meanwhile heads of ARI's research centres & SIGs and "C-Cure Initiative" Project Managers present the status of their strategic planning implementation. ARI has drawn a five-year 2011-2015 Strategic Planning which coincides with the university's Tenth Malaysia Plan (RMK). For the publication workshop, participants bring their draft journal articles. By the end of the workshop, corresponding authors will make online journal submission of their papers...
The event is attended by ARI fellows, heads of ARI's research centres & SIGs and ARI associate members. Whilst the publication workshop focuses on converting ARI HICoE research findings in Islamic Financial Criminology into indexed journal publication, the event is also used to monitor ARI HICoE research progress and strategic planning implementation. ARI's research fellow, Dr Rashid Amir, an upcoming author of indexed journal publications facilitates the publication workshop. Prof Rashidah, ARI's deputy director, monitors research progress. 
Meanwhile heads of ARI's research centres & SIGs and "C-Cure Initiative" Project Managers present the status of their strategic planning implementation. ARI has drawn a five-year 2011-2015 Strategic Planning which coincides with the university's Tenth Malaysia Plan (RMK). For the publication workshop, participants bring their draft journal articles. By the end of the workshop, corresponding authors will make online journal submission of their papers...
Monday, July 25, 2011
UiTM-IIU MOU Signing Ceremony
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and the Indonesian Islamic University (IIU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today. 
The MOU was to signify future collaboration between the two universities in terms of research, conferences, post-graduate program, staff & student exchanges. Specifically, ARI-IIU researchers have been involved with research collaboration in the area of Islamic Accounting & Finance since 2010. The latest collaboration being a joint international conference in Islamic Finance & Shariah in July 2011 organized by both entities. Hence the MOU further strengthens this existing relationship to greater heights.
The MOU was to signify future collaboration between the two universities in terms of research, conferences, post-graduate program, staff & student exchanges. Specifically, ARI-IIU researchers have been involved with research collaboration in the area of Islamic Accounting & Finance since 2010. The latest collaboration being a joint international conference in Islamic Finance & Shariah in July 2011 organized by both entities. Hence the MOU further strengthens this existing relationship to greater heights.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
ARI-INFORMM Collaborative Research
ARI participated in a two-day research workshop with the Institute of Molecular Medicine (INFORMM)to discuss research proposals. The workshop held at the Residence Hotel was attended by forty researchers. 
The event which was organized by INFORMM's research cluster on "Drug Use Disorder, HIV/AIDS & Tuberculosis: Towards a Personalised Medicine Approach. ARI's research proposal titled "Cost Efficiency Model of Drug Use Disorder of Methadone Treatment in Malaysia" looks as both quantitative and qualitative data to come up with cost effectiveness of harm reduction treatment per client ARI researchers comprised Associate Prof Dr Wee, Prof Normah, Prof Suzana and Ms Sharifah Fadzlon. ARI's research project is part of a bigger project headed by Dr Nasir from INFORMM. .
The first day of the workshop was dedicated to discussions on research proposals. This was followed on the second day, a presentation by a project management consultant, who will be appointed by INFORMM to monitor the progress of its research projects. ARI's research proposal was presented by Associate Professor Dr Wee Shu Hui, a research fellow and a member of ARI's Asian Management Accounting Research Centre...
The event which was organized by INFORMM's research cluster on "Drug Use Disorder, HIV/AIDS & Tuberculosis: Towards a Personalised Medicine Approach. ARI's research proposal titled "Cost Efficiency Model of Drug Use Disorder of Methadone Treatment in Malaysia" looks as both quantitative and qualitative data to come up with cost effectiveness of harm reduction treatment per client ARI researchers comprised Associate Prof Dr Wee, Prof Normah, Prof Suzana and Ms Sharifah Fadzlon. ARI's research project is part of a bigger project headed by Dr Nasir from INFORMM. .
The first day of the workshop was dedicated to discussions on research proposals. This was followed on the second day, a presentation by a project management consultant, who will be appointed by INFORMM to monitor the progress of its research projects. ARI's research proposal was presented by Associate Professor Dr Wee Shu Hui, a research fellow and a member of ARI's Asian Management Accounting Research Centre...
Friday, July 22, 2011
Consortium-Based Centre of Excellence
Premised on the existence of many smaller centres of excellence (COE) in both public and private universities in Malaysia, there has been requests from the COEs that the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) set up a consortium-based COE at the national level. 
Hence a group of selected people - directors of HICoE, panels of assessors of COEs, industry players as well as MOHE officers were invited to a workshop to discuss concepts, objectives, criteria, measurements and weightage. A recent research finding of a MOHE study on Malaysian Centres of Excellence was presented and deliberated. Whilst the concepts of collaboration and consortium where teams from different entities working cohesively towards a common purpose is noble, the implementation and monitoring processes could be challenging. The first day at the workshop was spent to discuss and to clarify concepts, objectives and mechanisms....
Hence a group of selected people - directors of HICoE, panels of assessors of COEs, industry players as well as MOHE officers were invited to a workshop to discuss concepts, objectives, criteria, measurements and weightage. A recent research finding of a MOHE study on Malaysian Centres of Excellence was presented and deliberated. Whilst the concepts of collaboration and consortium where teams from different entities working cohesively towards a common purpose is noble, the implementation and monitoring processes could be challenging. The first day at the workshop was spent to discuss and to clarify concepts, objectives and mechanisms....
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Malaysian Centres of Excellence: Research Findings
A group of researchers, Professor Dr Zakaria Abas (UUM), Dr Angelina (UNMC), Ms Chin (UTAR) and Mr Chong (UCSI) presented their research titled "Centres of Excellence in Malaysia: Comparative Strategic Management Practices, Models and Governance" in a workshop organised by the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. 
The research abstract stipulates that " There is a rising need for Malaysian CoEs to have multiple and diversified sources of funding, apart from reliance on funding from parent institution. Diminishing in government grants increases the need to collaborate with industry for funding and commercialisation of R&D products. Arguably, it is difficult for an organisation or institution to encompass all resources.
Thus, CoEs need to collaborate strategically with multiple universities and companies on consortium platforms to enable effective and efficient use of resources, transfer of technology and sharing of knowledge. Furthermore, there is a need to have a structured governance system, periodic monitoring process, good leadership skills and succession planning. Directors of CoEs are also challenged to manage various stakeholders' expectations and relationships". A Consortium-Based CoE.....
The research abstract stipulates that " There is a rising need for Malaysian CoEs to have multiple and diversified sources of funding, apart from reliance on funding from parent institution. Diminishing in government grants increases the need to collaborate with industry for funding and commercialisation of R&D products. Arguably, it is difficult for an organisation or institution to encompass all resources.
Thus, CoEs need to collaborate strategically with multiple universities and companies on consortium platforms to enable effective and efficient use of resources, transfer of technology and sharing of knowledge. Furthermore, there is a need to have a structured governance system, periodic monitoring process, good leadership skills and succession planning. Directors of CoEs are also challenged to manage various stakeholders' expectations and relationships". A Consortium-Based CoE.....
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Research Discussions with University of Wollongong
Day Eight
On the last day of ARI visits to Australia, Prof Dr Normah and Dr Roszana went to the University of Wollongong, some 200 km away from Sydney. The University of Wollongong is a garden campus, with green trees everywhere and the campus has been very beautifully landscaped.
The University of Wollongong was among the first university in the world that started its forensic accounting programs. Currently the university offers both undergraduate and post-graduate programmes to both fulltime and part-time students. At Wollongong, ARI researchers met up with Associate Professor Mary Kaidonis, Head, School of Accounting and Finance and two other officers - Ms Tina and Ms Angie. At the meeting, it was decided that Potential ARI-Wollongong collaborations include research, teaching of forensic accounting programs, joint-conferences and the publication of special-issue journal in the area of Forensic Accounting and Financial Criminology. 
Currently, the university publishes an international indexed journal - Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal (AABFJ). Two joint research proposals will be prepared and discussed by researchers of both universities with possible preliminary findings to be presented at the University of Wollongong's February 2012 conference. A very fruitful visit indeed.....
On the last day of ARI visits to Australia, Prof Dr Normah and Dr Roszana went to the University of Wollongong, some 200 km away from Sydney. The University of Wollongong is a garden campus, with green trees everywhere and the campus has been very beautifully landscaped.
The University of Wollongong was among the first university in the world that started its forensic accounting programs. Currently the university offers both undergraduate and post-graduate programmes to both fulltime and part-time students. At Wollongong, ARI researchers met up with Associate Professor Mary Kaidonis, Head, School of Accounting and Finance and two other officers - Ms Tina and Ms Angie. At the meeting, it was decided that Potential ARI-Wollongong collaborations include research, teaching of forensic accounting programs, joint-conferences and the publication of special-issue journal in the area of Forensic Accounting and Financial Criminology. 
Currently, the university publishes an international indexed journal - Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal (AABFJ). Two joint research proposals will be prepared and discussed by researchers of both universities with possible preliminary findings to be presented at the University of Wollongong's February 2012 conference. A very fruitful visit indeed.....
Monday, July 18, 2011
Visit to Macquarie University
After the UNSW research discussions in the morning, the two ARI researchers spent the whole afternoon to visit the Macquarie University some 20 km away from Sydney . The University is home to some of the world’s most pre-eminent researchers. These teams and individuals work across disciplinary boundaries to create real change. Basically, the university operates at the forefront of research practice in several distinct areas. These research strengths are the foundation of Macquarie University’s international reputation. The Key CORE areas of research strength at Macquarie are: (i) Ancient Cultures, (ii) Animal Behavior, (iii) Astronomy and Astrophysics, and (iv) Biomolecular Frontiers. 
In essence, Macquarie University has been in partnership with UiTM since 2005 when Prof Chris Patel visited ARI as part of his sabbatical research. Then, in 2007, Professor Hector Perera, Associate Prof Dr Sujatha also spent a few weeks at ARI. In 2009 & 2011, another researcher, Dr Philip Sinnadurai participated in several collaborative research projects with ARI researchers and had spent a few weeks at UiTM. In this visit, Prof Dr Normah and Dr Roszana specifically addressed on joint-research and joint-publication. Prof Patel has agreed on a joint project to convert ARI research monographs into international publications - an activity that he has personally undertaken at Macquarie and has produced very successful results.
In essence, Macquarie University has been in partnership with UiTM since 2005 when Prof Chris Patel visited ARI as part of his sabbatical research. Then, in 2007, Professor Hector Perera, Associate Prof Dr Sujatha also spent a few weeks at ARI. In 2009 & 2011, another researcher, Dr Philip Sinnadurai participated in several collaborative research projects with ARI researchers and had spent a few weeks at UiTM. In this visit, Prof Dr Normah and Dr Roszana specifically addressed on joint-research and joint-publication. Prof Patel has agreed on a joint project to convert ARI research monographs into international publications - an activity that he has personally undertaken at Macquarie and has produced very successful results.
ARI Visit to University of New South Wales
Day Seven
After several successful research trips in Canberra, the two ARI researchers spent the next three days in Sydney. The first research visit was to the University of New South Wales (UNSW). UNSW is certainly in a class of its own.
As far as accounting and finance program is concerned, the university prides itself as being the biggest and the best in Australia. The Accounting and Finance School is located within the structure of the Australian School of Business. As aresearch university, UNSW consistently scores highly in a range of national and international rankings. UNSW ranked 46th worldwide on the 2010 QS World University Rankings, and one of five Australian institutions to make the top 50. 
UNSW is a founding member of The Group of Eight (Go8) - a coalition of leading Australian universities, intensive in research and comprehensive in general and professional. UNSW scored highly in the 2010 Good Universities Guide, being awarded the maximum five-star rating for seven key performance indicators: including research grants, research intensivity, student-staff ratio, staff qualifications, cultural diversity, graduate starting salary and positive graduate outcomes At ANU, Prof Dr Normah and Dr Roszana met up with two prominent researchers - Prof Gary Monroe and Associate Professor Dr Peter Roebuck. .
Whilst Prof Monroe specializes in Accounting and Auditing, Dr Roebuck is in the area of Accounting Information System. The duo recommended us several other names that could participate in ARI's international research in Financial Criminology. In essence, several researchers at UNSW are working on developing system to identify fraud risk indicators.
After several successful research trips in Canberra, the two ARI researchers spent the next three days in Sydney. The first research visit was to the University of New South Wales (UNSW). UNSW is certainly in a class of its own.
As far as accounting and finance program is concerned, the university prides itself as being the biggest and the best in Australia. The Accounting and Finance School is located within the structure of the Australian School of Business. As aresearch university, UNSW consistently scores highly in a range of national and international rankings. UNSW ranked 46th worldwide on the 2010 QS World University Rankings, and one of five Australian institutions to make the top 50. 
UNSW is a founding member of The Group of Eight (Go8) - a coalition of leading Australian universities, intensive in research and comprehensive in general and professional. UNSW scored highly in the 2010 Good Universities Guide, being awarded the maximum five-star rating for seven key performance indicators: including research grants, research intensivity, student-staff ratio, staff qualifications, cultural diversity, graduate starting salary and positive graduate outcomes At ANU, Prof Dr Normah and Dr Roszana met up with two prominent researchers - Prof Gary Monroe and Associate Professor Dr Peter Roebuck. .
Whilst Prof Monroe specializes in Accounting and Auditing, Dr Roebuck is in the area of Accounting Information System. The duo recommended us several other names that could participate in ARI's international research in Financial Criminology. In essence, several researchers at UNSW are working on developing system to identify fraud risk indicators.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
ARI Lecture Series on Takaful
Back in Shah Alam, the Islamic Accounting & Finance research team organized its monthly lecture series yesterday. The event was attended by many researchers from within the university. The lecture on Shariah Principles in Takaful was presented by Dato’ Mohd Fadzli Bin Yusof, a renowned Takaful scholar. Dato' Mohd Fadzli is a member of the Board of Directors of the Arab-Malaysian Takaful Company, a Jeddah-based Takaful operator, and Amana Takaful of Sri Lanka. He currently sits on the advisory committee for Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), a subsidiary of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB). He retired as the Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia’s pioneer takaful operator, Syarikat Takaful Malaysia Berhad (Takaful Malaysia) in 2005. Under his stewardship, assets of Takaful Malaysia grew to RM 2.4 Billion. He led Takaful Malaysia in 2001 to be the first takaful company listed on Main Board of Bursa Malaysia. Takaful Malaysia was accorded ‘Best Provider for Takaful Services’ in 2004 by Euromoney, a London-based financial publication. Prior to joining Takaful Malaysia, he was a senior management of Malaysian National Insurance Bhd, then the largest insurance group in Malaysia. He was a member of the Special Task Force Committee set up by the Malaysian Government to formulate the regulatory and market framework for takaful industry in Malaysia
Friday, July 15, 2011
ANU Conferment Ceremony
Day Four
Our Australian visits coincided with ANU’s Conferring of Awards Ceremony. ARI’s research associate Dr Roszana Tapsir received her PhD degree from ANU with her research titled ”Auditors’ Perceptions of Financial Controller Behaviors: The Existence of Positivity and Negativity Biases”, Congratulations (Dr Rozana is an active member of ARI's Asia-Pacific Forensic Accounting Research Centre - AFARe).
The conferment ceremony was followed by a cocktail networking meeting with researchers and business leaders who were mostly alumni members of ANU. A researcher, Dr Peter Radoll was specifically recognized at the meeting for his research in exploring why Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders are 69 per cent less likely to have household access to computer and the internet. 
Both Dr Rozana and Professor Dr Normah got the opportunity to meet up with ANU Chancellor, Professor the Honourable Gareth Evans AO QC. The networking cocktail event was also fruitful as researchers get together to discuss possible research works that would benefit the university and Australia as a country. A total of 649 graduates obtained their degrees during the conferment ceremony. What is also interesting about the event is the full listing of graduate names being published in Canberra's main newspaper - The Canberra Times. Congratulations Dr Roszana, we are very proud of you
Our Australian visits coincided with ANU’s Conferring of Awards Ceremony. ARI’s research associate Dr Roszana Tapsir received her PhD degree from ANU with her research titled ”Auditors’ Perceptions of Financial Controller Behaviors: The Existence of Positivity and Negativity Biases”, Congratulations (Dr Rozana is an active member of ARI's Asia-Pacific Forensic Accounting Research Centre - AFARe).
The conferment ceremony was followed by a cocktail networking meeting with researchers and business leaders who were mostly alumni members of ANU. A researcher, Dr Peter Radoll was specifically recognized at the meeting for his research in exploring why Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders are 69 per cent less likely to have household access to computer and the internet. 
Both Dr Rozana and Professor Dr Normah got the opportunity to meet up with ANU Chancellor, Professor the Honourable Gareth Evans AO QC. The networking cocktail event was also fruitful as researchers get together to discuss possible research works that would benefit the university and Australia as a country. A total of 649 graduates obtained their degrees during the conferment ceremony. What is also interesting about the event is the full listing of graduate names being published in Canberra's main newspaper - The Canberra Times. Congratulations Dr Roszana, we are very proud of you
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Australian Institute of Criminology - AIC
Day Three
It was such an awesome experience and opportunity to meet up with researchers and the management team of the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) in Canberra. The Australian Institute of Criminology is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice.
Basically, AIC seeks to promote justice and reduce crime by undertaking and communicating evidence-based research to inform policy and practice. The AIC was established in 1973 under the Criminology Research Act 1971. Since July 1, 2011 the Australian Institute of Criminology, a Commonwealth statutory authority, is regulated under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act). The functions of the AIC include conducting criminological research; communicating the results of research; conducting or arranging conferences and seminars; and publishing material arising out of the AIC's work. At AIC, we met up with four officers: Dr Adam Tomison, Director & CEO; Mr Tony Marks, GM & CFO; Dr Rick Brown, Deputy Director (Research) and Dr Samantha Bricknell, Research Analyst. The research publications produced by AIC are fairly impressive.
The monographs include among others, titles such as “Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Risks Posed by Alternative Remittance in Australia”, “Labour Trafficking”, “Environmental Crime in Australia”, “Community Safety in Australian Indegenious Communities: Service Providers’ Perspective” and “Community Policing in Australia”. AIC is indeed a good benchmark for the Accounting Research Institute. The meeting resulted in many potential research collaborations between the two entities. In particular, research in the areas of NPO Governance, AML/CFT in Alternative Remittance Institutions and Human Trafficking are most viable…
It was such an awesome experience and opportunity to meet up with researchers and the management team of the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) in Canberra. The Australian Institute of Criminology is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice.
Basically, AIC seeks to promote justice and reduce crime by undertaking and communicating evidence-based research to inform policy and practice. The AIC was established in 1973 under the Criminology Research Act 1971. Since July 1, 2011 the Australian Institute of Criminology, a Commonwealth statutory authority, is regulated under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act). The functions of the AIC include conducting criminological research; communicating the results of research; conducting or arranging conferences and seminars; and publishing material arising out of the AIC's work. At AIC, we met up with four officers: Dr Adam Tomison, Director & CEO; Mr Tony Marks, GM & CFO; Dr Rick Brown, Deputy Director (Research) and Dr Samantha Bricknell, Research Analyst. The research publications produced by AIC are fairly impressive.
The monographs include among others, titles such as “Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Risks Posed by Alternative Remittance in Australia”, “Labour Trafficking”, “Environmental Crime in Australia”, “Community Safety in Australian Indegenious Communities: Service Providers’ Perspective” and “Community Policing in Australia”. AIC is indeed a good benchmark for the Accounting Research Institute. The meeting resulted in many potential research collaborations between the two entities. In particular, research in the areas of NPO Governance, AML/CFT in Alternative Remittance Institutions and Human Trafficking are most viable…
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
ANU Research Visit
Day Two
A quote from the university’s the Conferring of Awards Programme Booklet – July 2011 stipulates that
“Australian National University (ANU) is the only Australian member of the international Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) – a strategic partnership between the world’s best education and research institutions. The alliance shares a focus on research-led teaching, a commitment to educating future leaders and tackling some of the century’s biggest challenges. As Australia’s national university, ANU sets the standard in research, education and community engagement, on issues of national and international importance”.
At ANU, the School of Accounting & Business Information is placed within the ANU College of Business & Economics. Next after University of Canberra, Professor Dr Normah and Dr Roszana met up with three researchers at ANU – Professor Juliana Ng & Dr Greg Shailer from ANU and another ANU newly PhD qualified researcher from Thailand, Dr Warawude Rurkwaranuk. ARI-ANU collaborative research will not be restricted to Financial Criminology alone. 
There are strong research in the areas of corporate governance, finance, sustainability and financial reporting at the Australian National University. ARI's various heads of research centres: FRRC, CGRC, AMARC, APCeS, GLCRC and PSARC will need to do some follow ups on the prospect of research collaborations between the two universities....
A quote from the university’s the Conferring of Awards Programme Booklet – July 2011 stipulates that
“Australian National University (ANU) is the only Australian member of the international Alliance of Research Universities (IARU) – a strategic partnership between the world’s best education and research institutions. The alliance shares a focus on research-led teaching, a commitment to educating future leaders and tackling some of the century’s biggest challenges. As Australia’s national university, ANU sets the standard in research, education and community engagement, on issues of national and international importance”.
At ANU, the School of Accounting & Business Information is placed within the ANU College of Business & Economics. Next after University of Canberra, Professor Dr Normah and Dr Roszana met up with three researchers at ANU – Professor Juliana Ng & Dr Greg Shailer from ANU and another ANU newly PhD qualified researcher from Thailand, Dr Warawude Rurkwaranuk. ARI-ANU collaborative research will not be restricted to Financial Criminology alone. 
There are strong research in the areas of corporate governance, finance, sustainability and financial reporting at the Australian National University. ARI's various heads of research centres: FRRC, CGRC, AMARC, APCeS, GLCRC and PSARC will need to do some follow ups on the prospect of research collaborations between the two universities....
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
ARI-University of Canberra Research Meeting
Day One
Prof Dr Normah Omar and Dr Roszana Tafsir arrived at the beautiful campus of University of Canberra (UC) at 10.00 am. The discipline of accounting, banking and finance is within the structure of the Faculty of Business and Government.
There, at building no. 6, they were warmly greeted by the office secretary. A meeting with ten researchers, comprising professors and post-graduate students has been kindly arranged by Dr Miland Sathye, a professor in banking and finance. Prof Sathye himself has written several papers related to the cost of AML/CFT. What is interesting about the researchers here at UC is the fact they have a good balance of both teaching experience and being a practitioner in their respective fields. 
The meeting basically discussed specific collaborative research areas that could be explored by both ARI and UC. In addition to research in financial criminology, other topics include “The Independence of Auditor General”, “Critical Analysis of off-balance sheet items”, “Performance audit in the public sector” and “The impact of fraud on the capital market”. In a nutshell, it was a great research discussion
Prof Dr Normah Omar and Dr Roszana Tafsir arrived at the beautiful campus of University of Canberra (UC) at 10.00 am. The discipline of accounting, banking and finance is within the structure of the Faculty of Business and Government.
There, at building no. 6, they were warmly greeted by the office secretary. A meeting with ten researchers, comprising professors and post-graduate students has been kindly arranged by Dr Miland Sathye, a professor in banking and finance. Prof Sathye himself has written several papers related to the cost of AML/CFT. What is interesting about the researchers here at UC is the fact they have a good balance of both teaching experience and being a practitioner in their respective fields. 
The meeting basically discussed specific collaborative research areas that could be explored by both ARI and UC. In addition to research in financial criminology, other topics include “The Independence of Auditor General”, “Critical Analysis of off-balance sheet items”, “Performance audit in the public sector” and “The impact of fraud on the capital market”. In a nutshell, it was a great research discussion
Monday, July 11, 2011
ARI Working Visits to Australian Universities and Research Centre
Prof Dr Normah, Director of ARI and Dr Roszana Tapsir, ARI research associate are on a 9-day working visit to Australia. The duo is to visit five Australian Universities, namely University of Canberra, Australia National University, University of New South Wales, University of Wollongong and Macquarie University. 
In tandem with ARI’s niche research agenda in Financial Criminology, they will be meeting and discussing with several researchers and professors who will be participating in ARI’s two international research projects: (i) The cost-effectivess of anti money laundering/Counter financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) initiatives in financial institutions and (ii) AML/CFT governance framework of non-profit and charity organizations in developing and developed countries. In addition to the five universities, Prof Dr Normah and Dr Roszana will also be visiting the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) in Canberra. The visits are part of ARI’s 2011/2012 internationalization of its research agenda in Islamic Financial Criminology. The actual meeting will start tomorrow with the University of Canberra.
In tandem with ARI’s niche research agenda in Financial Criminology, they will be meeting and discussing with several researchers and professors who will be participating in ARI’s two international research projects: (i) The cost-effectivess of anti money laundering/Counter financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) initiatives in financial institutions and (ii) AML/CFT governance framework of non-profit and charity organizations in developing and developed countries. In addition to the five universities, Prof Dr Normah and Dr Roszana will also be visiting the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) in Canberra. The visits are part of ARI’s 2011/2012 internationalization of its research agenda in Islamic Financial Criminology. The actual meeting will start tomorrow with the University of Canberra.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Visit by Institute of Public Enterprise, India
Yesterday, ARI received guests from the Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE), a centre of excellence at Osmania University in India. IPE was established in 1964 as an autonomous non-profit institute with the objective of furthering studies, research and consultancy in management sciences. 
Specifically, IPE is devoted to systematic and sustained study of issues relevant to the formulation, implementation, review, monitoring and assessment of policies and programs concerning public enterprises. IPE Director, Prof R. K. Mishra brought along his three researchers to the meeting. In principle, ARI and IPE have agreed to collaborate in three programs of research, training and publication. Specific domain of research is in the governance area of public enterprises or government-linked companies both in India and Malaysia. Tentatively, a memorandum of understanding by both institutes will be signed in the fourth quarter of this year. 
The prospect of collaboration is really great and we hope to be able to contribute significantly by providing related research findings to both the government of India and Malaysia on the competitive role of public enterprises /government-linked companies in transforming a nation from a developing status to a developed country....
Specifically, IPE is devoted to systematic and sustained study of issues relevant to the formulation, implementation, review, monitoring and assessment of policies and programs concerning public enterprises. IPE Director, Prof R. K. Mishra brought along his three researchers to the meeting. In principle, ARI and IPE have agreed to collaborate in three programs of research, training and publication. Specific domain of research is in the governance area of public enterprises or government-linked companies both in India and Malaysia. Tentatively, a memorandum of understanding by both institutes will be signed in the fourth quarter of this year. 
The prospect of collaboration is really great and we hope to be able to contribute significantly by providing related research findings to both the government of India and Malaysia on the competitive role of public enterprises /government-linked companies in transforming a nation from a developing status to a developed country....
Friday, July 8, 2011
National Congress of Professors
Day Three
The final day of the Congress saw two very important events. First was the handing over of fourteen congress resolutions by the Congress Director, Professor Dato' Dr Mohamad Mustafa Ishak to the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The second event was the closing ceremony by YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. Basically, the Council of Professors has been divided into fourteen very important clusters: (1)Natural Resources & Environment, (2)Economy & Finance, (3)Governance, Law & Public Management, (4) Information Technology & Communication, (5) Industry & Innovation, (6)Engineering & Technology, (7)Science & mathematics, (8) Social Development & Quality of Life, (9) Education & Human Development, 
(10)Medicine & Health, (11)Politics & International Security, (12)Pharmacy & Applied Sciences, (13)History, Heritage & Socio-culture and (14) Agriculture & Food. Each cluster has prepared its detailed resolution encompasing the 4W and 1H questions (What, Why, When, Who and How). The program ended with a press conference by the VVIP and congress lunch. Till we meet again in the future, the Congress has been a great success...
The final day of the Congress saw two very important events. First was the handing over of fourteen congress resolutions by the Congress Director, Professor Dato' Dr Mohamad Mustafa Ishak to the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The second event was the closing ceremony by YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. Basically, the Council of Professors has been divided into fourteen very important clusters: (1)Natural Resources & Environment, (2)Economy & Finance, (3)Governance, Law & Public Management, (4) Information Technology & Communication, (5) Industry & Innovation, (6)Engineering & Technology, (7)Science & mathematics, (8) Social Development & Quality of Life, (9) Education & Human Development, 
(10)Medicine & Health, (11)Politics & International Security, (12)Pharmacy & Applied Sciences, (13)History, Heritage & Socio-culture and (14) Agriculture & Food. Each cluster has prepared its detailed resolution encompasing the 4W and 1H questions (What, Why, When, Who and How). The program ended with a press conference by the VVIP and congress lunch. Till we meet again in the future, the Congress has been a great success...
Thursday, July 7, 2011
National Congress of Professors
Day Two
More interesting discussions took place on the second day of the Congress. The morning event started with a plenary session by Prof Dr Nay Htun, a Distinguished Professor from the Department of Technology & Society,Stony Brook University, New York USA.
Prof Htun spoke on a paper entitled "Bridging the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences". In sycned with his own research on Global Warming, Prof Htun stressed that "Human actions have resulted in global warming and the acidification of oceans..", hence the solutions to many world problems such as global warming need to integrate both natural and social sciences. Social science-related solutions may include measures such as economic incentives, financing mechanism, behavioral/societal determinents, capacity building, governance and policy. Cluster workshops continued immediately after the plenary session. The evening was specially dedicated to three important events. 
Immediately after dinner was the Congress Official Opening by the YAB Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak. In his speech, the Prime Minister reiterated his hopes and expectations that professors must play a significant and proactive role in nation building and in transforming Malaysia into a high income country by 2020. 
This was followed by a dinner talk by Prof Michael Porter from Harvard University USA. The talk was carried live through tele-conferencing from USA. In tandem with Malaysia's aspiration to become a developed nation, Prof Porter discussed on "Country Competitiveness". One of the most important aspects of a high income nation is the real need for businesses to increase their efficiency & productivity and for them to embrace innovations. 
Malaysia has most of the ingredients needed for a country to become a developed nation: resources, location and people. But Malaysia must enhance the production of skilled human resources and embrace innovation in a big way. Again, the call to integrate natural science & technology with social science elements was emphasized...
More interesting discussions took place on the second day of the Congress. The morning event started with a plenary session by Prof Dr Nay Htun, a Distinguished Professor from the Department of Technology & Society,Stony Brook University, New York USA.
Prof Htun spoke on a paper entitled "Bridging the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences". In sycned with his own research on Global Warming, Prof Htun stressed that "Human actions have resulted in global warming and the acidification of oceans..", hence the solutions to many world problems such as global warming need to integrate both natural and social sciences. Social science-related solutions may include measures such as economic incentives, financing mechanism, behavioral/societal determinents, capacity building, governance and policy. Cluster workshops continued immediately after the plenary session. The evening was specially dedicated to three important events. 
Immediately after dinner was the Congress Official Opening by the YAB Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak. In his speech, the Prime Minister reiterated his hopes and expectations that professors must play a significant and proactive role in nation building and in transforming Malaysia into a high income country by 2020. 
This was followed by a dinner talk by Prof Michael Porter from Harvard University USA. The talk was carried live through tele-conferencing from USA. In tandem with Malaysia's aspiration to become a developed nation, Prof Porter discussed on "Country Competitiveness". One of the most important aspects of a high income nation is the real need for businesses to increase their efficiency & productivity and for them to embrace innovations. 
Malaysia has most of the ingredients needed for a country to become a developed nation: resources, location and people. But Malaysia must enhance the production of skilled human resources and embrace innovation in a big way. Again, the call to integrate natural science & technology with social science elements was emphasized...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Congress of Professors
Day One
The Malaysian Council of Professors (MPN) holds its first national congress on 6-8 July 2011 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur.
Themed "Knowledge Transforming The Nation", the congress is attended by 1200 professors from all public universities in Malaysia. 
The event started with two welcome addresses: first by the Director, of this year congress, Prof Dato' Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak and that was followed by Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid.
Prof Zakri is the Chairman of MPN. Participants were informed that the main aim of the congress was for professors to address or discuss government transformational agendas and to come up with suitable workable resolutions that can be used for nationa building. The first day saw three plenary papers being presented. The first paper, "Knowledge Transforming the Nation: Perspective from STI" was delivered by Prof Dato' Zakri. The second paper, "Knowledge transforming the Nation: Perspective from Social Science & Humanities". Despite the stress on science, technology and innovation for nation building, the soft aspects of humanities such as ethical values and quality of life will "complete the cycle" for a great nation. Yang Berbahagia Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad delivered a third paper titled "Transformational Agenda Beyond 2020". 
Tun Mahathir, being the architect of VISION 2020, reiterated the need to balance our aspiration of becoming a developed nation with the right morality value for Malaysia. Guided by these three important papers, participants were divided into seven groups to discuss Malaysia's transformation agenda.
The Malaysian Council of Professors (MPN) holds its first national congress on 6-8 July 2011 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur.
Themed "Knowledge Transforming The Nation", the congress is attended by 1200 professors from all public universities in Malaysia. 
The event started with two welcome addresses: first by the Director, of this year congress, Prof Dato' Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak and that was followed by Professor Emeritus Dato' Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid.
Prof Zakri is the Chairman of MPN. Participants were informed that the main aim of the congress was for professors to address or discuss government transformational agendas and to come up with suitable workable resolutions that can be used for nationa building. The first day saw three plenary papers being presented. The first paper, "Knowledge Transforming the Nation: Perspective from STI" was delivered by Prof Dato' Zakri. The second paper, "Knowledge transforming the Nation: Perspective from Social Science & Humanities". Despite the stress on science, technology and innovation for nation building, the soft aspects of humanities such as ethical values and quality of life will "complete the cycle" for a great nation. Yang Berbahagia Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad delivered a third paper titled "Transformational Agenda Beyond 2020". 
Tun Mahathir, being the architect of VISION 2020, reiterated the need to balance our aspiration of becoming a developed nation with the right morality value for Malaysia. Guided by these three important papers, participants were divided into seven groups to discuss Malaysia's transformation agenda.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
4th HICoE Meeting
Today, the Accounting Research Institute has been given the honour to host the fourth meeting of the Higher Institutions' Centre of Excellence (HICoE). 
The first three meetings were respectively hosted by UMBI, UMPEDAC and INFORMM. Basically, the main aim of the meeting is to share and update all members on respective HICoE's progress. As much as possible, all six HICoEs want to grow forward and achieve the regional status together. In our discussions, all HICoEs basically agreed that the niche research agenda "assigned" to them has indeed helped the centres to propel to greater heights. Other things being discussed include issues related to dual membership of researchers; infrastructure to support HICoE expansion as well as developing strategies in securing international research grants. The Accounting Research Institute is indeed very honoured to be given the responsibility to drive a new research area in Islamic Financial Criminology (IFC).
In essence, IFC can further be divided into two critical themes: Islamic Accounting & Finance and Financial Criminology. To date, ARI is the only research institute in this region that focuses its research agenda in "Islamic Financial Criminology". Research and publication potentials in this area are indeed enormous. The meeting has also agreed that the next HICoE meeting will be hosted by the Institute of Bioscience (IBS) of Universiti Putra Malaysia.
The first three meetings were respectively hosted by UMBI, UMPEDAC and INFORMM. Basically, the main aim of the meeting is to share and update all members on respective HICoE's progress. As much as possible, all six HICoEs want to grow forward and achieve the regional status together. In our discussions, all HICoEs basically agreed that the niche research agenda "assigned" to them has indeed helped the centres to propel to greater heights. Other things being discussed include issues related to dual membership of researchers; infrastructure to support HICoE expansion as well as developing strategies in securing international research grants. The Accounting Research Institute is indeed very honoured to be given the responsibility to drive a new research area in Islamic Financial Criminology (IFC).
In essence, IFC can further be divided into two critical themes: Islamic Accounting & Finance and Financial Criminology. To date, ARI is the only research institute in this region that focuses its research agenda in "Islamic Financial Criminology". Research and publication potentials in this area are indeed enormous. The meeting has also agreed that the next HICoE meeting will be hosted by the Institute of Bioscience (IBS) of Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Farewell to Prof Dr Muhd Kamil
The Faculty of Accountancy and ARI organized a farewell do for our associate member Prof Dr Muhd Kamil Ibrahim. 
Effective September 2011, Prof Kamil is opting for an early retirement and will be moving to the University of Taiba in Saudi Arabia to take up a professorial position there. Prof Muhd Kamil was the founder of the Financial Reporting Research Centre (FRRC)was back in 2003. We will certainly miss him. Prof Kamil is an avid writer and an active researcher. He is an author of several best selling book, one of which is "Travelog Haji". 
. Among his other famous books include "Kecil Tapi Significant" - a must read book to those who is starting their PhD journey and "Travelog Iman". ARI members, including his many post-graduate students wish him all the best and we wish him well. Hopefully, through him, ARI will be able to foster some form of international collaboration with his new university and many other universities in the Middle east....
Effective September 2011, Prof Kamil is opting for an early retirement and will be moving to the University of Taiba in Saudi Arabia to take up a professorial position there. Prof Muhd Kamil was the founder of the Financial Reporting Research Centre (FRRC)was back in 2003. We will certainly miss him. Prof Kamil is an avid writer and an active researcher. He is an author of several best selling book, one of which is "Travelog Haji". 
. Among his other famous books include "Kecil Tapi Significant" - a must read book to those who is starting their PhD journey and "Travelog Iman". ARI members, including his many post-graduate students wish him all the best and we wish him well. Hopefully, through him, ARI will be able to foster some form of international collaboration with his new university and many other universities in the Middle east....
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