Research Strategic Planning

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research and Innovation) of Universiti Teknologi MARA, Prof Dr Abdul Rahman Omar and members of the university's Research council committee attended a one-day research workshop to discuss research strategies and performance indicators for two groups of researchers at the university: (i) members of faculties & academic centres, and (i) members of centres of excellence and community of researchers (CoRE).

Since the currently available Malaysia Research Assessment (MyRA) instrument is fairly comprehensive and detail, the workshop decided to use it as a foundation for discussions.   At the end of the workshop, there were some interesting proposed strategic actions that could be undertaken by researchers.  The Institute of Research Management and Innovation (IRMI) who acts as a secretariat will tabulate the discussions which will be presented in the next Research Council meeting.

Non Profit Organisations and Governance

In both industrialized and developing countries, there is a growing body of experience, which attests to the positive roles that non-profit organizations (NPOs) play in  the economic development of a country. In many developed countries, NPOs have been recognized as a "third sector", after public and private sectors.  These roles may include:-

1. providing goods and services - especially meeting needs which have not hitherto been met by either the public or by the private sector;
2. assisting the government achieve its development objectives - in particular through contributing skills for which NPOs have comparative advantage, such as public information, education and communications campaigns, or providing information about the situations and needs of particularly vulnerable groups;
3. helping citizens to voice their aspirations, concerns and alternatives for consideration by policy makers, thereby giving substance to governments' policies regarding freedoms of association and speech;
4. helping to enhance the accountability and transparency of government and local government programs and of officials.

Recently, a national level NPO Symposium was  organised by the the Legal Affairs Division (Bahagian Hal Ehwal Undang-Undang or BHEUU) of the Prime Minister Department, Malaysia. Currently, there are 370 NPOs in the form of  "Trustee Incorporated" that are registered with BHEUU.  The main aim of the symposium was firstly, to allow BHEUU and other regulators such as Bank Negara Malaysia and Inland Revenue Board to directly engage with  NPO members and secondly to create awareness among NPO members in Malaysia on legislations such as Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613), Income Tax Act and "Best Practice Guides pn Managing NPOs".  Professor Dr Normah Omar has also been invited to give a talk on "NPO Governance" at the symposium.  The symposium was officiated by the YB Hajah Nancy Haji Shukri, Minister of the Prime Minister Department.

Economic Transformation Program in Terengganu

In 2012, as part of its research in Islamic Financial Criminology, the Accounting Research Institute (ARI HICoE) initiated three Islamic-based economic transformation programs: Islamic microfinance, Islamic-based social enterprise and corporate waqaf.  When reviewing existing Islamic microfinance model, ARI researchers identified one very important gap - the need to link micro entrepreneurs to a complete supply chain, including both supplier(s) of reasonably-priced raw materials for the business and buyers of the business's finished products.  A pilot research project was carried out in Tanjung Karang with a group of microfinance recipients from Amanah Ikthiar Malaysia (AIM) - a microcredit organisation.  The entrepreneurs were involved in a tailoring business.  Since their clients were mainly among locals from Tanjung Karang, the market place for the "baju kurung" business was not only limited, more unfortunately, it was also seasonal in nature.  ARI researchers invited Mydin Holding Berhad to act both as a supplier of fabrics for baju kurung and as a buyer of ready-made baju kurung.  ARI developed a training module where entrepreneurs were exposed to new competencies of financial management, business planning and business governance.  With the much improved version of business framework, the entreprenuers were able to increase their sales, profits, capital and savings.   The Tanjung Karang micro business was later replicated to two other locations in Terengganu through a tripartite collaboration of ARI (UiTM), Yayasan DiRaja Sultan Mizan (YDSM) and Mydin Holding Berhad.  YDSM identified two locations - Paka and Kuala Terengganu.

 Using the same framework, Mydin Holding Berhad supplies fabrics to the tailoring business entrepreneurs. and later on, buy-back the completed baju kurung for sale in Mydin Hypermarkets.  To mark the successes of both the Paka and Kuala Terengganu micro-business groups, ARI organised a three-party Memorandum of Agreement between Universiti Teknologi MARA, YDSM and Mydin Holding Berhad.  The Islamic microfinance programs in Tanjung Karang, Paka and Kuala Terengganu had significantly transformed the economic status of the entrepreneurs.  In fact UiTM is planning to replicate the program to other states through the respective state campuses.

Visit to Royal Malaysian Customs on GST

With the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Malaysia effective 1st April 2015, there are a lot of interest among researchers to conduct studies on GST.  Popular topics include GST compliant, Indirect tax evasion, GST audit and GST implementation.  Today, three researchers from the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) of Universiti Teknologi MARA visited the Goods Services Tax (GST) Unit of the Royal Malaysian Customs (RMC) in Putrajaya.  Basically the basic aim of the visit was to discuss with officers from RMC on ARI's ongoing research on GST and how researchers can get assistance from the department. There are a number of new PhD students who are interested to embark on GST-related topics within ARI's PhD program in Financial Criminology. In April, ARI is to organise a GST seminar titled "GST after One Year of Its Implementation".  The target participants are those industry players from manufacturing companies from the Small and Medium category.  In comparison to sales and service tax, GST is more comprehensive, effective, transparent and business friendly. GST should be able to overcome the various weaknesses within the previous consumption tax system.  GST is expected to increase tax compliance and is easier to administer in view of its self policing method.  In addition, businesses are required only to submit simplified tax returns based on prescribed formats.  In fact, all records and documents relating to the relevant transaction are required to be kept in the business premises for audit by the GST auditors. 

International Research Collaboration with the Faculty of Economics, Universitas Riau (UNRI), 11-12 February 2016, Riau, Indonesia

Recently the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) has been invited by the Faculty of Economics, Universitas Riau, Indonesia to provide a research proposal and publication workshop. The workshop was a 2-day event, 11-12 February 2016 and was attended by 51 participants from UNRI and another four universities in Riau such as Universitas Islam Riau, Universitas Islam Negeri, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Riau and Universitas Lancang Kuning. Prof. Dr Takiah Iskandar, ARI Distinguish Research Fellow and Assoc. Prof Dr Zuraidah Mohd Sanusi, ARI Senior Research Fellow have given two talks on “Selecting a right journal for your publications” and “What Makes A Good Journal Article? ” to the audience. The workshop was facilitated by three other lecturers, Assoc. Prof Dr Amrizah Kamaluddin, Lecturer of Faculty of Accountancy, UiTM Selangor, Dr Hatta Hj. Sapwan, Lecturer of Faculty of Accountancy, UiTM Perak and Dr Siti Haliza Asat, Lecturer of Faculty of Accountancy, UiTM Perak.

The objective of the collaboration is to boost the research output of the Accounting and Business lecturers in Riau Province at the international level. As stated by the Dean of Faculty of Economics, UNRI, Dr. Sri Indarti, SE., M. Si., this workshop is very timely in line with the objective of the Indonesia Ministry of Education to increase the number of journal publication in Scopus index. In order to meet this objective the Ministry Education as well as the university provides monetary incentives for the lecturers. The working committee of the workshop receives a strong support from the faculty management members, Dr Rita Anugerah, Head of the Research Development of Accountancy and Finance, and Prof. Dr Ria Nelly Sari, Senate Members of Faculty of Economics, and the top management of the Faculty of Economics of UNRI.  The Faculty organizes activities for research, conferences and publications involving the faculty members jointly with other universities. The Faculty of Economics of UNRI has demonstrated conceited efforts to increase the research output of the Faculty and to enhance the credibility of the academic staffs.  At the end of the workshop, about 20 research proposals and 25 draft papers for publications have been compiled. The Faculty of Economics of UNRI is also planning to submit 10 papers from this workshop for the upcoming conference in Perak, the International Conference on Accounting Research and Education (ICARE) 22-23 Aug 2016 being organized by the Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak. This conference is being chaired by Dr Hatta Hj Sapwan with the Faculty Economy, UNRI and ARI, UiTM as the conference partners.

VC-CoE Directors Meeting

The newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) , Emeritus Professor Dato' Dr Hassan Said recently invited all directors of UiTM's Centres of Excellence to his office for an informal meeting.  The meeting was attended by directors of Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMISE) - Prof Dr Zaki Salleh; Accounting Research Institute (ARI) - Prof Dr Normah Omar, Institute of Science (IOS) - Prof Dr Ahmad Sazali; Institute of Pathology, Medical and Forensic Laboratory (I-PPerForm) - Prof Dr Hafizah Nawawi; Malaysian Institute of Transport (MITRANS) - Dr Harlina; Atta-Ur-Rahman Institute for Natural Product Discovery (AU-RiND);  Institute of Business Excellence (IBE) - Prof Dr Sofiah and Microwave Technology Centre - Prof Dr Zaiki Awang.  Basically the discussions focused on the VC's expectation for CoEs to lead research activities in the university.  Two very important aspects that must be a priority in 2016 are for the CoEs to (i) train research leaders for the university and (ii) to obtain international and industry grants for UiTM.

ARI-Rangsit-Chullalongkorn University Research Collaboration

Universiti Teknologi MARA, Rangsit University and Chullalongkorn University are all institutional members of the Asia-Pacific Management Accounting Association (APMAA) which is based in Japan.  Two ARI researchers, Prof Dr Normah Omar and Associate Professor Dr Zuraidah Mohd Sanusi were invited by the Dean, Faculty of Accountancy, Chullalongkorn Business School Professor Dr Kanibhatti Nitirojntanad  to attend a research meeting.  The meeting which was held at the Chullalongkorn Business School, were also attended by Dr Nimnuan Visedsun and Dr Kathy Terdpaopong.  The group discussed an initial topic of "management accounting control system" which would be initially carried out by the three universities and hopefully, some initial findings can be presented at the forthcoming  APMAA Conference this October in Taipei Taiwan.  Further deliberation with other member countries of APMAA will be made in Taipei this year.  The group hopes to source international research funding.

ARI-Rangsit University International Collaboration on Accounting Research and Teaching

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) has been invited by the Faculty of Accountancy, Rangsit University, Thailand to participate in its International Seminar on Accounting Research and Teaching. The seminar was held on Thursday, 18^th February 2016 at Rangsit University, Thailand and was attended by 57 accounting scholars from several universities in Thailand. Prof. Dr Normah Omar, ARI Director and Assoc.  Prof Dr Zuraidah Mohd Sanusi, ARI Senior Research Fellow have given three separate talks respectively on topics related to (i) “Teaching and Learning in a Competitive Environment”, (ii) “How to become a Research Excellent Unit?” and (iii) “Contemporary Accounting Research Topics” to the audience. Three other keynote speakers who were also invited were  Mr Daniel Pham,Van Hung from the Faculty of Management and Tourism & Sunway Hanoi University, Vietnam; Assist. Prof Dr Nimnual Visedsun, Dean of Faculty of Accountancy RSU and Asst. Prof. Dr. Wonlop Buachoom, Lecturer of Faculty of Accountancy RSU.

 The seminar basically aims to provide a platform to assist the scholars to develop their research and teaching skills, together with embracing the changing academic development. The focus of the seminar centred around three topics, teaching and learning in a competitive environment, formation of a research excellence unit and contemporary accounting research topics. ARI hopes that the participants are more exposed to current issues in accounting research and publication and the importance of research impact. This can be contributed by strong collaboration and publishing quality journals. Based on the feedback provided, the participants are glad with the opportunity to attend this seminar.  ARI is so proud to continuously working with our partner, Assist. Prof Dr Nimnual Visedsun, Dean of Faculty of Accountancy RSU and Asst. Prof Dr Kanitsorn Terdpaopong, Associate Dean of International Affairs, Faculty of Accountancy RSU since our MoU signing in 2012. Several activities had been initiated between both parties including student exchanges and joint collaborations on conferences, research and publications in enhancing the visibility of both Rangsit University and Universiti Teknologi MARA.  

ACQ Global Awards 2015

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) receives another global award - ACQ Global Awards 2015.  The ACQ Global Awards is organized by the ACQ (Acquisition Finance) Magazine, a UK-Based English-language magazine which is read by senior executives at major organisations.  The magazine is intended for CEOs and CFOs as well as other corporate finance and private equity executives from all corners of the globe. For ACQ Global Awards 2015, ARI is recognized as "Islamic Financial Criminology Research Body of the Year".  Every year, Acquisition Finance Magazine conducts online surveys through its 165,000+ readers and make the selection of the final award winners. The main part of the evaluation, therefore, is obtained from the online surveys and reader votes. The ACQ Annual Award Framework (AAA Framework) is utilised as a structured model of assessment that enables the participating organisations to be benchmarked against world class performance standards. In its notification to ARI, it was mentioned that "the total number of nominations received for ARI stood at an amazing 32,966 representing a 27.7% response rate - Highest ever".  Congratulations to all ARI members, Universiti Teknologi MARA and the Ministry of Higher Education as this represents a commendable outcome of the Ministry's HICoE initiative.

ARI Publication Workshop

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) organizes a three-day publication workshop at Hotel UiTM, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor.  

The workshop is jointly sponsored by the Institute of Research Management & Innovation (IRMI) under the "Incentive MyRA Grant" and the Accounting Research Institute under its HICoE Grant.  Basically, the aims of the workshop are: (i) to produce papers to be submitted to Q1 & Q2 journals within ARI's research niche Islamic Financial Criminology and (ii) to produce papers to be submitted to indexed journals (Thomson Reuters, SCOPUS and ERA) for the enhancement of UiTM MyRA score.  

A total of seventy eight researchers are attending the workshop.  Each participant is required to: (i) bring two draft articles to the workshop; (ii) identify suitable indexed journal for the paper; (iii) format their papers in accordance to the requirements of the journal; (iv) content-edit the paper by head of group; (v) English-edit the paper by a professional English editor (made available throughout the workshop) and (vi) submit on-line final paper by the third day of the workshop.  This is indeed a very good start for ARI and UiTM Insya Allah.