ARI@UiTM Wins Big at GIFA 2016

It was indeed a jubilant evening for all of us at the Fairmont Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, the venue for the Gala Dinner and awards ceremony for the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) 2016.  This year, the Accounting Research Institute receives one of the major awards "BEST RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN ISLAMIC FINANCE".  Receiving the GIFA award for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 & 2016) is by itself a record worth mentioning. It's a gift to UiTM in conjunction with the university's 60th anniversary. In 2014, ARI received the "Best Education Provider in Islamic Finance".  In 2015, ARI receives a special award "Pioneering Research in Islamic Financial Criminology".

Researchers at ARI are extremely happy with this award as it signifies an international recognition towards ARI's pursuit in driving its HICoE research agenda in Islamic Financial Criminology.  We at ARI are a strong believer of the fact that to build a strong and sustainable Islamic Finance Industry, there is a need to look at three specific aspects of the industry needs: firstly, one must continuously explore to introduce or to innovate new Islamic Finance product; secondly, there is a need to enhance the governance mechanism of the Islamic Finance sector and thirdly, it is important to mitigate possible financial leakages of the industry.

The GIFA Awards Committee considers the following four important dimensions when assessing possible nominations for its awards: (i) Innovation - those products and servic through innovative applications of Shariah principles; (ii) Quantity and Quality - the breadth and depth of product/service offerings and where applicable, performance data are taken into account when assessing the performance of the nominated institutions and individual during the award period; (iii) Cross Border - Provision of products/services that take on an international dimension outside of the established home market is also a major criterion for selection of nominations; and (iv) Promotion of the Growth of the Industry - Products/services that have established standards of best practice for the national markets and global Islamic financial service industry are also treated over and above other products.  Congratulations all ARIANs, well done.....

ARI Co-Authorship Workshop With Researchers from Universitas Indonesia

Researchers from the Accounting Research Institute (ARI HICoE) of Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia and the Faculty of Economics and Business of University of Indonesia (UI) successfully conducted a one-day co-authorship workshop at the UI campus in Depok, which is about 25 kilometers from Jakarta city centre.  Role of Market Orientation in Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions; the case of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM); (2)   Performance Measurement, Accountability and Performance of Malaysian Local Authorities; (3)   Implementation of Accrual Accounting for Better Governance: Perspectives of Malaysian Public Sector Accountants; (4)  Malaysian Code of Corporate Governance: The Relevance of Audit Committee Characteristics in Monitoring Financial Performance of Public Listed Companies; (5) The Synergistic Outcome of Internal Capabilities and External Pressure on Environmental Performance: Evidence from ISO 14001 Companies; (6)  Relationships of Directors and Government Ownership on Voluntary Risk Disclosures: The Case of Shariah Compliant Companies in Malaysia;  (7)  Relationships of Directors and Government Ownership on Voluntary Risk Disclosures: The Case of Shariah Compliant Companies in Malaysia; (8)  Monitoring Firm Opportunistic Behavior: Evidence of Ownership Structure and Real Earnings Management among Distressed Firms;  (9)  Quality of Public Sector Financial Information: Malaysia and Indonesian Approaches in New Accrual Accounting Framework. 

The co-authorship program is part of an international collaboration between the two institutions.  Basically, the main aims of the workshop is firstly to match researchers from the two universities for the purpose of publishing research papers in similar specialisation.  Secondly through the workshop, the researchers further refine the papers and identify possible SCOPUS journals to publish their research output.  For today's event, ARI researchers contributed nine research papers to the workshop.  It has also been agreed that another co-authorship workshop will be organised in UiTM sometimes in November 2016: (1)

ICGA 2016

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI), in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi MARA, Melaka campus collaborated to organise a three-day conference on corporate governance and accountability in the historic city Melaka.  Themed "Towards Sustainable and Accountable Landscape", this conference is held at Holiday Inn, Melaka,  Malaysia on September 25-27, 2016.  The main objective of the conference is to provide a platform for participants to present their research findings and for the exchange of information and knowledge between academics and practitioners. The conference will provide an informal gathering of researchers, lecturers, students and practitioners concerned with governance, accountability and corporate social responsibility in a friendly, supportive and relaxed atmosphere.  

A total of 100 research papers are presented during the event.  Three keynote speakers invited for the 3-day conference are namely (i)  Kolonel (K) Tan Sri Datuk Wira Dr Hj Mohd Shukur Hj Mahfar, Chief Executive Officer / Director General of Inland Revenue Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia; (ii) Professor Dr Charl de Villiers, Professor in Accounting Graduate School of Management, The University of Auckland, New Zealand & Research Fellow Centre for Sustainability Management Leuphana University, Lüneburg, Germany; (iii) Dr James Hazelton Senior Lecturer, Department of Accounting and Corporate Governance Macquarie University, Australia.  Congratulations and well done.

ARI Participation at HELP University Colloquium

In a spirit of comradeship, the Accounting Research Institute (ARI HICoE) sent six papers and provided a keynote speaker for the 3rd Colloquium on Advances and Sustainability in Globalization Wave organised and held at the HELP University in its Jalan Semantan, Damansara campus.  Paper presentations were headed by Associate Professor Dr Zuraidah Mohd Sanusi and her team from ARI. Meanwhile, Professor Dr Normah Omar, ARI Director gave a keynote speech titled "Grabbing the Opportunities and Enhancing Professional Readiness of the ASEAN Economic Community - AEC". The one-day colloquium was officially graced by HELP University Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr  Khong Kim Hoong and attended by staff, students and presenters from various institutions of higher learning in Malaysia.  A total of thirty papers were presented. ARI researchers mostly presented their papers related to financial criminology, governance and forensic accounting.  Well done and congratulations for the smart-partnership between ARI and HELP University.

Congratulations ARIANs for the Six Golds

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) congratulates all fellows, associates and postgraduate students who participated in the three-day event of Innovation, Invention and Design Exposition (IIDEX 2016).  When the results were officially announced this morning, ARI fellows were awarded six gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal. Well done guys, it was a tremendous teamwork and well-deserving efforts.  Inshaallah ARI will send all gold medalists to participate in international expositions in early 2017.  In the meantime all fellows can work on promoting the use of their products to industries and government agencies.

Forensic Accounting & Financial Criminology Courses at Royal Malaysia Police

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI HICoE) thanks the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for inviting our fellows to facilitate in PDRM's one-week training program in Forensic Accounting.  The program was successfully facilitated by three ARI fellow/associates - Dr Syed Noh Syed Ahmad, Associate Professor Dr Halil Paino and Professor Dr Normah Omar.  Among the topics covered include financial statement analysis, financial statement fraud, corruption, fraud examination, procurement fraud and money laundering.  The program which was organised by the Financial Crime Unit of PDRM at Bukit Aman was to give exposure to investigation officers and to provide a platform for knowledge sharing among the officers who came from different parts of Malaysia. 

ARI's Participation at IIDEX 2016

Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) organizes its annual invention, innovation & design exposition (IIDEX 2016) on 20-23 September 2016.  Themed "Revving Innovation, Soaring Commercialization", IIDEX 2016 is held at the Dewan Agung Tuanku Cancelor or DATC of UiTM in Shah Alam.  The event has attracted more than 400 research products.  The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) showcases ten (10) research innovations: Best Fit Model of Necessity Entrepreneurs; Decision Support System for Whistleblowing; Governance Rating Index for Sustainability of Mosques; Third Sector Accountability Assessment System; Social Enterprise Governance and Performance Rating; Islamic Social Responsibility Assessment System; Public Sector Financial Health Check-Up System; EPV Empowering Professionals; My Financial Risk Prediction and Cash Flow Analyzer.  Today, research fellows, research associate and post graduate students from ARI showcased their products for judging and evaluation.  It was indeed a joyous moment for all us at ARI.  The Institute of Research Management and Innovation (IRMI) is also organising pitching session with industry partners.  Congratulations all and well done.  Winners of this university-level competition will be sent for other national and international expositions. 

PBBM-UiTM Management and Leadership Training 2016

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI HICoE) of Universiti Teknologi MARA Malaysia and the Association of Statutory Bodies Malaysia (PBBM) have collaborated since 2012, to provide training on management and leadership to delegates that come from various Malaysian government agencies. The latest training program is held in  Australia and has started from the 14 September and will ends on 21 September 2016. Although the training period has yet to end, the journey has so far been fruitful. The delegates had a meeting with the management of Edith Cowan University for a sharing session before attending the Business Sustainability, Performance Management and Governance Symposium. Associate Professor Dr. Hadrian G Djajadikerta from the Faculty of Business of Edith Cowan University chaired the symposium. During the symposium, two representatives of ARI had presented their research papers. Associate professor Dr. Halil Paino had presented an empirical paper entitled “Modeling Dysfunctional Behavior” whilst Associate Professor Dr. Erlane K Ghani had presented a conceptual paper entitled “Integrated Reporting: A Strategic Approach to Governance’. Both papers have received commendable response from the participants of the symposium. Following the symposium, few agencies had expressed interest to collaborate with ARI. The Director of Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM), Professor Tunku Kamarulzaman Tunku Zainol Abidin had expressed interest in collaborating with ARI for new programs and incorporating integrated reporting in his organization. The Section Head of Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) Mr Azmil Haron had also requested further information on the papers for future reference and potential collaboration.  

The academics from Edith Cowan University had also provided similar intention for potential collaboration in terms of research. The delegates had the opportunity to visit the Malaysian consulate office. The delegates were very honored to meet the Consulate General, Mr Nazaruddin Ja’afar and the Education Consul, Mr Abdul Hadi Mustaffar. During the meeting, various issues were discussed in relation to the purpose of office as well as on leadership and strategic management. The delegates will be going to Sydney on the 17 September 2016. In Sydney, the delegates will attend a 1-day talk in Macquarie University where they will be given talks by two academics who are experts in leadership and strategic management. The delegates will also do a university visit at the University of Sydney and the Malaysian Consulate Office in Sydney before heading back to Malaysia. Whilst in Australia, the participants will also visit government agencies in Perth and Sydney.  Well done and congratulations ARI fellows and associates: Associate Professor Dr Halil Paino, Associate Professor Dr Erlane K. Ghani and Dr Saiyidi. 

Welcome Aboard Associate Professor Dr Erlane

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) is delighted to welcome Associate Professor Dr Erlane K. Ghani, CPA as its new research fellow effective 1st September 2016.

 Dr Erlane's appointment will be for a period of three years.   Dr Erlane's research interest is in the area of internet financial reporting which will definitely synced well with ARI's research niche agenda in Islamic Financial Criminology.  In addition to research, Dr Erlane will also be tasked to facilitate with ARI's training programs and journal administration.  With an H-Index of 9, Dr Erlane is an avid writer and scholar and will certainly contributes to ARI's future development. Welcome aboard.

ARI Researchers for ERASMUS+ Program

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) congratulates its two researchers - Research Fellow, Associate Professor Dr Faizah Darus and Research Associate, Associate Professor Dr Haslinda Yusuf who have been selected to participate in the joint Erasmus+ Staff Mobility program between Burgas Free University, Bulgaria and Universiti Teknologi MARA.   In 2013, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the two universities.  Among the programs agreed by both universities were staff exchange and research collaboration. Earlier in May 2016, three researchers from Burgas Free  University - Professor Baltov, Professor Kotseva and Professor Anastassova came to Universiti Teknologi MARA for one week and were assigned respectively to the Arshad Ayub Business School, Faculty of Media Studies and Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism. The dean of the Faculty of Hotel Management, Dr Mohammed Hemdi was the first lecturer/researcher from UiTM being sent to Bulgaria for this program in May 2016.  Whilst in Burgas Free University, Dr Faizah and Dr Haslinda will be teaching both financial reporting and sustainability reporting to the students there.  Both will also be pursuing possible research collaboration with researchers in Bulgaria.  Current research interest of both Associate Professor Dr Faizah and Associate Professor Dr Haslinda is in the area of Sustainability Reporting.  Dr Faizah is also currently leading a research cluster in Corporate Waqaf Sustainability and Governance under ARI HICoE's  niche in Islamic Financial Criminology.   For this visit, both researchers are fully sponsored by the Erasmus+ program.  Congratulations to both of you.

Congratulations ACFE-Certified Scholar

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) congratulates the recent success of its post-doctoral scholar Dr Md Shamimul Hassan when the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) admits and accredits him as a certified fraud examiner. Dr Md Shamimul Hassan sat for the ACFE examination and passed all four papers.  The ACFE is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. Together with more than 75,000 members, the ACFE is reducing business fraud worldwide and inspiring public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession.  The Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential denotes proven expertise in fraud prevention, detection and deterrence. CFEs around the world help protect the global economy by uncovering fraud and implementing processes to prevent fraud from occurring in the first place. May this accreditation be the beginning of your future undertakings both in academic and research. We are very proud of you.