International Convention on Boards

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) from Universiti Teknologi MARA jointly organized an International Convention on Boards with two other international partners namely
(1) The Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE)India and the Institute for Business Research, Waikato University, New Zealand. The convention which was held at the Le Meridien Hotel in New Delhi was jointly sponsored by NMDC Ltd and Oil India Limited. Three UiTM researchers: Prof Dr Normah Omar (ARI Director), Associate Professor Dr Noraini Mohamed and Dr Hilwani Hariri (Head of the Corporate Governance research cluster)participated in the event. The convention has successfully attracted the participation of about 100 international board members from both public and the private sectors.
Among the topics covered include (i) Issues in Selection, Appointment and Tenure of Boards; (ii) Government Policy on Corporate Boards; (iii) Board Structure, Regulation and Challenges; (iv) Board Performance: Strategies and Innovation; (v) New Knowledge Frontiers and Boards; (vi) Performance Management in Government and (vii) Corporate Board and International Experiences.

ARI-IPE Strategic Alliance

In its effort to forge regional and international collaborations, the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) from Universiti Teknologi MARA UiTM and its counterpart, the Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE - India)signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently. Just like ARI HICoE, IPE is India's national centre of excellence with its specific research focus on the governance of public enterprise. The MOU signing was jointly carried out by UiTM's vice chancellor, Dato' Prof Ir. Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar and IPE Director, Professor K.Mishra during an international Convention of Boards in New Delhi India. In essence, the MOU focuses on five collaborations namely (i) Conducting academic programmes in corporate governance in Malaysia and India, especially those related to government-linked companies (GLCs) and public enterprises;
(ii) Joint research, case development and consulting assignments related to GLCs and public enterprise of both countries; (iii) Staff/student Exchange programme; (iv) Exchange of Academic Materials, journals and other research-related information and (v) Other future collaborations

Thank you Sir

Yesterday, members of the Faculty of Accountancy and the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) paid tribute to the former dean, Professor Dr Ibrahim Kamal Abdul Rahman who finished his term on 31st December 2011. Professor Ibrahim Kamal served as Dean of the Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA since January 2000. As a dean, he has led the faculty into greater heights. Among the initiatives that he has successfully carried out during his tenureship as a dean was the establishment of ARI; Professional accreditations from CIMA, ACCA, CPA Australia, ICAEW and MICPA; Establishment of Post Graduate programs; Introduction of new programs; Publication of three indexed journals; International linkages; ISO certification of accountancy programs and many others.....

AML Research with TESS International

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI)and TESS International Group of Companies, (also known as TESS International)have agreed in principle to work collaboratively on research projects related to Anti Money Laundering (AML). Whilst ARI is a Centre of Excellence that drives its niche research area in Islamic Financial Criminology, TESS International is one of the leading regional financial software application providers, with specific specialisation in AML practice solution. In a meeting between officers from TESS International and ARI researchers which was held this morning, an understanding was reached that TESS International would allow ARI researchers, including post graduate students to undergo research internship programs at TESS. In tandem with its expertise, TESS International will facilitate ARI to develop suitable practice solutions for AML research projects. ARI on the other hand will assist TESS in conducting market and customer-based research, the findings of which would provide useful feedback to both parties. In today's meeting, TESS International was represented by its officers Mr Satish, Mr Peter and Mr Yap. Meanwhile, ARI was represented by Prof Normah, Prof Rashidah, Associate Prof Dr Zuraidah, Associate Professor Dr Roshayani and Associate Professor Dr Wee. Also present was Mr Aaron Lau from ACAMS (Malaysia).

Rasch Model Workshop 2012

In its effort to enhance researchers' competency and knowledge in data analysis, the Accounting Research Institute (ARI)organizes a two-day Rasch Model Data Analysis. The facilitator, Mr Saidfuddin is a visiting research fellow at the institute. Whislt the first day focuses on the understanding of the conceptual underpinnings of the Rasch Model, the second day deals with participants' own research pojects. Researchers will apply the Rasch Model analysis to their own research projects. Basically, the two-day workshop will provide basic understanding on how the Rasch model could be used to interpret research findings. An advanced Rasch Model analysis will be conducted by Professor Bond during the forthcoming ICIMTR2012 conference in May 2012. Themed “Challenging vision of the future through innovation, management and technology research”, the Accounting Research Institute will be co-organizing an International Conference on Innovation, Management and Technology Research on 21-22 May 2012 at the Equatorial Hotel, Malacca.

ARI-IKAZ Research Collaboration

Researchers from the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) and the Institute of Zakat Research (IKAZ)met up today to discuss possible research collaboration in the area of Zakat and Waqaf. Ikaz was represented by its director, associate professor Dr Hasan Baharom, his deputy, associate professor Dr Halim and two researchers, Dr Afandi and Associate Professor Dr Noraini.
ARI on the other hand was represented by Professor Dr Normah Omar (ARI Director), Professor Dr Rashidah Abdul Rahman (Deputy Director), Dr Nawal Kassim, head of the Islamic Accounting and Muamalat research centre and Hj Ismail (ARI Senior fellow). The meeting agreed in principle to undertake several collaborative research projects related to Zakat and Waqaf. With the aim of obliterating poverty among the Muslim ummah, two projects, "Waqaf Investment as a tool to elevate institutionals' economic performance" and "Supply-Backed Islamic Microfinancing of Zakat's Asnaf recepients" will be carried out immediately in February 2012.

ARI-Al Wafiq Network Collaboration

The Accounting Research Institute welcomes Mr Roslan Abdul Razak, Managing Director of Al Wafiq Network, who met up with researchers from the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) this morning. Mr Roslan's prior experiences include being(1)Director, Training & Professionals Development di Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM), (2) Director, Shariah Investments di Prudential Fund Management Berhad, Kuala Lumpur and (3)Director, Shariah Business Advisory at the Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM). ARI was represented by Prof Dr Normah Omar, Prof Dr Rashidah Abdul Rahman, Dr Nawal Kasim and Hj Ismail. In tandem with ARI's niche research agenda in Islamic Financial Criminology, the meeting was held to specifically discuss possible collaborations between ARI and Al Wafiq Network. In fact, Al Wafiq Network was established with the specific purpose of enhancing the Islamic Finance industry in Malaysia and globally. At the end of the meeting, five possible collaborations were identified: (1) Lecture series in Islamic Finance for ARI researchers and students; (2) Post graduate specialization course in "Shariah Audit"; (3) Collaborative research related to issues and challenges faced by Islamic financial institutions; (4)the establishment of a "mini" consultancy entity and (5) the development of an Islamic finance portal.

ARI's February Conferences

Apart from the two-day International Convention on Boards to be held in New Delhi India on 9-10 February 2012, the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) will also be co-organzing two other conferences in February 2012. The first conference 2012 International Conference on Governance and Accountability (ICGA 2012) will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Kuching, Sarawak on 15-18 February 2012. Themed "Ethics, Accountability and Governance: Towards Sustaining Value Creation", the ICGA 2012 will be co-organized with the Sebelas Maret Universit, Indonesia; SRRNet & De Monfort University, UK; University of South Australia; Curtin University Australia; CSR Asia; APCeS-ACCA and IGonGFERS. The Kuching Conference is supported by the Sarawak State Government, Sarawak Convention Bureau, Kuching City Council and the Sarawak Tourism Board. Another conference, The 2nd Accounting Research & Education Conference (AREC 2012) will be held at Universiti Teknologi MARA on 21-23 February 2012. This conference, with the theme "Economic Transformation Programme:The Role of Accounting Education and Profession" is co-organized with the Malaysian Association of Accounting Academic (MyAA); Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA; The Malaysian Accounting Research & Education Foundation (MAREF)and supported by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).

International Convention on Boards

As part of its internationalization initiatives, the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) will be co-organizing an International Convention on Boards in New Delhi, India. The international convention will be co-organized with five other organizations namely (1) Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE), India (2)Institute of Business Research, University of Waikato, New Zealand (3)ONCG, India (4)Oil India Limited and (5)NMDC Limited, India. At the upcoming event in New Delhi on 9-10 February 2012, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed between Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and the Institute of Public Enterprise (IPE). UiTM Vice Chancellor Dato' Professor Ir Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar and Professor Dr Mishra will be signing the MOU on behalf of UiTM and IPE respectively on 9th February 2012. Themed “Meeting the challenges of the Boards through sharing experiences and deliberations”, the international convention is expected to attract a lot of corporate leaders to the event.

ARI-IIM Collaboration

Collaboration between the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) of Universiti Teknologi MARA and the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM)has been long standing. Recently, several researchers from ARI were involved and participated in the Corporate Integrity System Roundtable at IIM. Today, two IIM Officers: Ms Nurul and Mr Roszaidi from the Private Sector Division of IIM came to discuss with ARI researchers on other possible future collaborations. ARI researchers could possibly contribute in terms of collaborative research and joint-publications. The two entities (UiTM and IIM)will hopefully be signing an MOU soon to formalize their collaboration.