Economic Transformation Program for Asnaf

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) in collaboration with the Sultan Mizan Foundation or the Yayasan DiRaja Sultan Mizan (YDSM) and Mydin Holding Berhad initiated an economic transformation program for the Asnaf and single mothers in Terengganu in 2014. Pusat Jahitan Baju Kurung specializes in producing the national dress for Malaysia.  The Sultan Mizan Foundation with the sponsorship of large government linked companies (GLCs) equipped the centres with sewing machines and other tailoring equipment.  As a party to the program, Mydin Holding Berhad supplies raw materials in the form of textiles and other tailoring materials and buy-back the finished products at bulk prices.  Two centres have been set up respectively in Kuala Terengganu and Paka. Each centre accommodates around 20-25 participants.  

The participants, who work in groups  produce at least 500 pairs of baju kurung weekly.  One of the main challenges often faced by small entrepreneurs is to find sustainable customers.  The ready-market concept offered by Mydin Holding Berhad allows the participants to produce quality products.  ARI provides financial management and other governance-related training to the participants. The program targets a period of two years for the participants, after which they are encouraged to manage their own little business. Congratulations all ARIANs.

Grantsmanship Workshop at Curtin University

Recently, three grant assessors from the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) and one from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MOSTI) were invited by Curtin University Sarawak Campus in Miri to give a one-day "Grantsmanship Workshop".  The four assessors were namely Professor Dato' Nik Muhammad from Universiti Putra Malaysia, Professor Dr Norhamidi from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Professor Dr Normah Omar from Universiti Teknologi MARA and Dr Sharon Teh from University College Tuanku Abdul Rahman. The one-day workshop invited grant applicants from the university who were reasonably well-versed in preparing an application according to the various guidelines given by competitive grant schemes. What is less known and which needs revealing, is how assessors in technical panels at the national KPT and MoSTI levels scrutinize, cull, shortlist and pick winning applications individually and as a panel. Since the speakers were all from different areas of expertise, they were able to share their experiences on the "do's and don'ts" of  grant application.  Highest on the list is the need for researchers to showcase and highlight new research areas that are in tandem with government initiatives and that can support Malaysia's aspiration to become a developed and high income nation. About sixty aspiring researchers attended the workshop and there were a lot of questions raised during the Questions & Answers session.  All in all it was a great event.  Thank you Curtin University for the invitation.

Hall Full of Masters Graduates -Congratulations

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) congratulates all graduates who successfully completed their respective Masters programs and received their scrolls from Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) YBhg Tan Sri Dato' Seri Utama Arshad Ayub, at a grand convocation ceremony held at the Dewan Agung Tuanku Cancelor (DATC) in the university.  In particular, ARI is happy to see the graduates from the Master in Forensic Accounting and Financial Criminology program at the Faculty of Accountancy receiving their scrolls today.  Congratulations to all and well done. 

i – Corporate Ethical Identity Indexing System into top 16 IF- INNOFEST 2016

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) congratulates UiTM Team whose innovative product titled "i – Corporate Ethical Identity Indexing System" has proceeded as one of the top 16 of the Islamic Finance INNOFEST 2016.  Associate Professor Dr Roshima Haji Said from UiTM Kedah Campus heads UiTM delegation.  Professor Dr Normah Omar, director of  ARI 

is a member of that team. Themed "ENERGISING INNOVATION IN ISLAMIC FINANCIAL SERVICES",  IF InnoFest 2016 seeks to create a platform that brings together industry, regulatory bodies & universities to develop and implement breakthrough ideas and innovative solutions in Islamic Finance (IF).  The four main objectives of this event are (1) To provide a platform to trigger and initiate innovative ideas for Islamic Finance; (2) To transform research into implementable outcomes; (3) To forge continuous university-industry synergy, and (4) To enhance university-university collaboration in Islamic Finance.  UiTM team has been asked to participate in the poster presentation and pitching on 24th November 2016.  The event is jointly organised by INCEIF, Association of Islamic Banking Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM) and Takaful Malaysia Association.  IF- INNOFEST 2016 is supported by Bank Negara Malaysia.  Congratulations and good luck team UiTM. 

UiTM 85th Convocation - Congratulations

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) congratulates all seventy UiTM PhD graduands who received their scrolls today from  DYMM Tuanku Chancellor, Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Muádzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah.  In particular, congratulations to three PhD graduates from the Faculty of Accountancy who have been co-supervised by ARI fellows: (i) Dr Ahmed Abdullah Saad Al-Dhubaibi with thesis title ""The Effects of Management Accounting Practices on Firm Performance: Antecedent Factors and the Role of Managerial Functions", supervised by Prof Dr Ibrahim Kamal Abdul Rahman,  Associate Professor Dr Zuraidah Mohd Sanusi and Associate Professor Dr Indra Devi Kandasamy;

(ii) Dr Norazlina Binti Ilias, "Management Control Systems and Performance: Evidence from Malaysian Local Authorities", supervised by Associate Professor Dr Nik Kamaruzaman Hj Abdul Latif and Professor Dr Nafsiah Mohamed; (iii) Dr Azmi Binti Aminuddin, "Ünderstanding Enabling Levers of Control (LOC) in Malaysian Local Government: The Case of LGKV and LGER", supervisors - Professor Dr Nor'Azam Mastuki and Professor Dr Nafsiah Mohamed.

Leadership Talk Series at AKEPT

The one-day 6th AKEPT Leadership Talk Series 2016 was successfully held today at the Higher Education Leadership Academy campus in Bandar Enstek. About two hundred participants comprising academic leaders attended the event.  Some interesting programs of the Talk Series included two key-note speeches.  The first talk titled Transformative Higher Education Leadership: Anticipating the Game Changer was delivered by YBhg. Datuk Ir. (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim, Vice Chancellor Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS.  This session was moderated by YBrs. Prof. Madya Dr. Mohd Rushdan Mohd Jailani, Deputy Director Centre for Academic Leadership, AKEPT.  The second talk titled Shaping Higher Education for 21st Century was delivered by YBhg. Prof. Datuk Dr. Noor Azlan Ghazali, Vice Chancellor Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.  YBrs. Prof. Madya Dr. Zafir Khan Mohamed Makhbul, Deputy Director Centre for Knowledge Circle, AKEPT moderated the session. The afternoon session was a forum titled Leadership by Design: Strengthening Integrity in Higher Education.  The forum was moderated by YBhg. Prof. Dato’ Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Student & Alumni Affairs) Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).  

Four panelists tasked to discuss the topic included (1)  Prof. Dr. Zulkiple Abd Ghani, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International) Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, (2) YBhg. Prof. Emeritus Dr. Tengku Mohd Tengku Sembok, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International) Universiti Pertahanan Nasional    Malaysia, (3) YBhg. Prof. Dr. Yang Farina Abdul Aziz, Professor, FASc FMIC Faculty of Science and Technology Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and (4) YBhg. Prof. Dr. Normah Omar, Director Accounting Research Institute (ARI) Universiti Teknologi MARA.  Following the Forum was a speech by YB Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh, Minister of Higher Education.  The session was moderated by YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Wan Mohd Zahid Mohd  Noordin Chairman, Board of Advisors Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT). This was followed by a dialogue between the minister and the participants.  The day's event were concluded with the launching of AKEPT's Leadership book series by the minister.  Congratulations AKEPT for providing a great platform to train and nurture future leaders for Malaysia's Higher Education sector.

    

2nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ISLAMIC ECONOMICS & FINANCE

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) of Universiti Teknologi MARA, in collaboration with the Philippine Association of Islamic Accountants (PAIA),  International Council of Islamic Finance Educators (ICIFE), Southeast Asian Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (SAICCI) and Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA ) Cagayan de Oro - Misamis Oriental Chapter are co-organising the 2nd International Conference on Islamic Economics and Finance on February 16, 17 & 18, 2017 at the Manila Hotel, Philippines.

 Themed "Human Capital Development in the Islamic Finance Industry", the Conference will provide a platform for dialogue and discussions between policymakers, academics, researchers, graduate students, and practitioners to address the problems of poverty alleviation, inclusive economic growth, macroeconomic stability from the perspective of the Islamic Economics and Finance discipline, and developing human capital & thought leadership to support the development of Islamic finance. The Conference shall also address the role of Islamic financial institutions, capital markets, and the social sector in promoting strong growth, enhanced financial inclusion, and intermediation, reducing risks and vulnerability of the poor and more broadly contributing to financial stability and development. Scope and areas of interest for the conference include (i) ISLAMIC ECONOMICS, (ii) KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT NEXUS, (iii) ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES AND INCLUSIVE FINANCIAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENT, (iv) ISLAMIC FINANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, (v) INVESTING IN HUMAN CAPITAL.  Those interested to participate in the conference are encouraged to send their abstracts to the following individuals:  (1).   normah645@salam.uitm.edu.my; (2) hajizul50@gmail.com; or hajizul50@ymail.com; and (3) roshayani@salam.uitm.edu.my.

ARI@UiTM-STAR International Collaboration

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI HICoE) of Universiti Teknologi MARA has been selected by the Badan Pengawasan Keuangan dan Pembangunan (BPKP) of Indonesia to organize and conduct a one-week public sector training and research program for its State Accountability Revitalization Project (STAR) program. Twenty six selected participants were chosen for the program at ARI. They were from among the best recent graduates who undertook Masters Programs at universities in Indonesia.  STAR is an activity initiated by the Government of Indonesia in support of reform in the field of financial management and audit within the public sector.  The training program is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) through a special loan. Whilst in Malaysia, the participants were exposed to several training programs involving various government agencies and public sector departments. Working visits to the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (SPRM), Auditor General Office were arranged.  Participants received first-hand information from officers of these agencies about government initiatives to transform the Malaysian public sector.  As a Higher Institutions' Centre of Excellence (HICoE), 

ARI also shared with participants its niche research agenda in Islamic Financial Criminology.  They participated in a laboratory-style usage of ARI's polygraph machines.  ARI also invited speakers to talk on financial criminology and anti-money laundering as possible research topics that participants can embark for their PhD program.  As part of ARI-BPKP research collaboration, participants shared their research projects with ARI members and post-graduate students for possible comparative study analysis.  ARI thanks Professor Dr Nafsiah Mohammed for initiating the networking collaboration with BPKP during her visits to Indonesia last year. 

UiTM Celebrates its 60th Anniversary and Going Stronger

2016 marks the 60^th anniversary of Universiti Teknologi MARA or more fondly known as UiTM as a reputable institution of higher learning. The university started in 1956 with the founding of Dewan Latehan RIDA.  In June 1965, Dewan Latehan RIDA was changed to Maktab MARA. Then, on 14 October 1967, another name change took place when Maktab MARA was officially changed to Institut Teknologi MARA (ITM) after the foundation stone was placed by Tun Abdul Razak.  ITM’s name was once again changed on 26 August 1999. The then Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the name change to Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

Today, UiTM celebrates the pinnacle of its 60^th anniversary celebration with Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Malaysia Prime Minister officiating the 60th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony at the Dewan Agung Tuanku Canselor. Through his opening speech, the Prime Minister expressed his pride in UiTM’s commitment and its significant contribution towards the economic development of the Malays/Bumiputera and the socio-economic landscape of the country. Also present at the opening was Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, Ministry of Higher Education Secretary General Tan Sri Dr. Noorul Ainur, UiTM Vice Chancellor Dato’ Seri Dr Hassan Said, as well as board members, staff, students and alumni of the university.  It was indeed a joyous moment for all of us at UiTM.  UiTM remains focus to its original aim of providing professional training, nurturing talents and producing quality Bumiputera graduates. 

APMAA Conference 2016 - Another Successful International Collaboration

The Asia Pacific Management Accounting Association (APMAA) was formed in 2004 in Japan with the hope of providing a strategic platform where academia and practitioners can come together to discuss and promote management accounting as a strategic business tool.
 Since its inception with four founding member countries (Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore), APMAA is now supported by other country researchers from China, Indonesia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Sweden, Canada, USA, Nigeria and Korea.  ARI director, Professor Dr Normah Omar was the APMAA President for the 2015 calendar year and now a Deputy Chairman of this association which is based and headquartered in Japan.  This year's conference is hosted by National Taipei University.

The next four years, it will be hosted respectively by Shanghai Jao Tong University (2017), Osaka University (2018), Qatar University (2019) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (2020).  In tandem with APMAA 's basic aim of providing a strategic platform to showcase and promote management accounting as a strategic business tool, the conference is arranged into various segmentsa.  On the first day is usually an annual business meeting among country representatives with APMAA Board of Directors.  It is during such session that issues are raised and decisions are made with respect activities to promote APMAA.  Country representatives will make suggestions on matters related to research and publication collaborations between members.  Future hosts of APMAA conferences will also make their presentations, proposing the what, where, why and how of future APMAA conference.  Following the business meeting is the PhD colloquium where PhD students present their PhD works and obtain feedback from international professors.

Welcome reception dinner cum networking session is also held. The next two days will be the conference proper.  A Gala dinner is held on the second day where appreciation speeches are given by previous, current and forthcoming years hosts.  The conference is divided into (i) keynote speeches by practitioners and renowned academics, (ii) Panel discussions (industry leaders and professors), parallel sessions where researchers present their papers.    The interesting aspect of the paper presentation is the appointment of discussants to review and discuss the papers.  Each paper is presented and discussed within a 30-minite time frame.  Selected papers will be published in APMAA journal - Asia Pacific Management Accountiing Journal (APMAJ). The final segment of the conference usually comprises site visit and factory tours.

Congratulations Professor Dr Faizah Darus

Congratulations are in order for the newly promoted Dr Faizah Darus to a full professor. She received her promotion letter later from the vice chancellor, Emeritus Dato' Dr Hassan Said at his office today.  Currently, Professor Dr Faizah is a research fellow at the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) and heading the Asia-Pacific Centre for Sustainability Research. Professor Faizah's research interests are in the areas of Sustainability Reporting and Corporate Waqaf Governance. Congratulations and well done..