Transdiciplinary Research Grant Scheme TRGS

Various Centres of Excellence (CoEs) at the university organised a one-day workshop to discuss possible collaboration for TRGS.  TRGS is a new research grant scheme offered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) Malaysia. Each research program under this grant scheme comprises three different research projects from three research clusters.  Essentially, the MOE has already identified eight research clusters namely: (i) Pure Science, (ii) Applied Science, (iii) Technology and Engineering, (iv) Clinical and Health Sciences, (v) Social Sciences, (vi) Arts and Applied Arts, (vii) National Sciences and National Heritage and (viii) Information and Communication Technology. Getting the CoEs to work collaboratively on TRGS was indeed a great idea. The researchers were able to discuss together on their proposed projects.  At the end of the workshops, the CoEs submitted their "Letter of Intents" to the secretariate.  The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) submitted letters of intent (LOIs) of two full TRGS programs and two sub-projects of  programs with other CoE groups.  Two ARI's full programs comprised researches related to "Detecting
Trade Mispricing as Money Laundering Tools" and "The Governance of Cooperatives as Money Laundering Mitigating Mechanisms of Cooperatives".

LRGS on Rural Transformation

Researchers from four institutions namely Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and Management and Science University (MSU) were today invited to a briefing session by the Ministry of Education (MoE).  Premised on their recent submissions of concept papers to the Long Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS) related to niche research agenda "Rural Transformation", the researchers were given a briefing by one of the LRGS panels from the Social Science cluster - Prof Dr Normah Omar.  The researchers were basically tasked to realign their research programmes so that the research outcome could be used to facilitate government's initiatives such as the Government Transformation Programme (GTP), Economic Transformation Programme and the New Economic Model (NEM).  The group will need to present their concept papers on Rural Transformation on 15th April 2014.

Bahasa Malaysia Version of CISM

The Malaysian Institute of Integrity (IIM) took the initiative to translate the "Corporate Integrity Assessment Questionnaire - CIAQ" into the Malay Language or Bahasa Malaysia (BM).  This is in view of the increasing need of using the BM version of the instrument among  public sector organisations.  The instrument has been professionally translated by the Malaysian Institute of Translation (ITN).  On the second day of IIM's 2-day workshop, participants were tasked to review the translation and were given the opportunity to further improve its contents.   Since it is a translation, participants were reminded that the contents should mirror the original's English version.  Two leading academics from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)  were tasked to lead the discussion.  Prof Dr Ishak and Prof Dr Hasnah were part of the Steering Committee that developed the CIAQ in 2010.  The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) sent the Head of the Corporate Integrity System Research Cluster, Associate Professor Dr Jamaliah and her team members to the event.  At the end of the second day, the group has unanimously endorsed the instrument.

Islamic Microfinancing: Baju Kurung Handover Ceremony

One collaborative research undertaken by ARI researchers under its niche Islamic Financial Criminology is related to Islamic Microfinance.  The project which is headed by Professor Dr Rashidah Abdul Rahman examines the current gap in microfinance model.  Generally, entrepreneurs indicated their wish to have a supplier to complete the supply chain model of the microfinance-based business.  As such, ARI has sought the cooperation of Mydin Holdings Berhad to facilitate these entrepreneurs.  The first phase microfinance research project has also involved Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM), financier of the microfinance credit.  Through Sahabat (AIM's entrepreneur network), entrepreneurs undertook a baju kurung tailoring project with Mydin. In conjunction with the collaborative action research project between ARI, AIM, MAIS Zakat Selangor Berhad (MZSB), and Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd, a Baju Kurung Handover Ceremony has been held at Mydin Training Center this morning. During the ceremony, the first batch of 182 baju kurungs sewn by a group of AIM sahabats from Tanjung Karang, have been  handed over by the Managing Director of AIM, Datuk Zabidah Ismail to the Executive Director of Mydin, Mr. Salim Ali Mydin. In her opening speech, Datuk Zabidah personally thanks everyone involve in this project especially ARI and Mydin for providing wider social networks and support structure for AIM sahabats to involve in economic activities, thus improving their household income.    

LRGS - Hopeful

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) together with its counterpart, Institute of Zakat Studies (IKAZ) are hopeful that their joint-project on Islamic Philanthropy will be considered by the Ministry of Higher Education for the LRGS 2013 program.  The program's other collaborative partners include USIM, UMK, UNISZA, USM, UKM and INCEIF.  After an earlier successful submission of  its "concept-papers" proposal, MOHE has recommended the group to submit a full proposal on the topic.  Recently, the group organized a three-day retreat to finalise the full proposals.  The Islamic Philanthropy research comprises five distinct but related projects.  Whilst two of the projects will be driven by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), three other projects will be led respectively by USIM, UNISZA and UMK.  The full LRGS presentation will take place on 21st February 2013 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).  ARI is hopeful that the projects will be accepted.  Two ARI fellows and one ARI Associate Fellow (Associate Professors Dr Abd Halim Mohd Nor, Dr Roshayani Arshad and Dr Noraini Mohamed) will lead the UiTM team.  Good luck everyone....

Research on Islamic Philanthropy

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) was recently tasked to facilitate a research discussion on Islamic Philanthropy   At the end of the three-day discussion, a research proposal was developed and submitted.  The project had involved several local and foreign universities.  Philanthropy, or in a more general term, charity constitutes an act of giving and sharing of one's wealth with others. From the Islamic perspective, a society can flourish when its members do not spend all their wealth on the satisfaction of their own desires but reserve a portion of it for others - parents, relatives, neighbours, the poor and the incapacitated.  Islamic philanthropy is of two categories: obligatory and voluntary.  Obligatory philanthropy consists of zakat; whereas voluntary philanthropy includes the institutions of sadaqah and waqaf.   Zakat is the share or portion of wealth that is obligatory upon a Muslim to give to fixed categories of beneficiaries (Asnaf), if the valu of his/her assets is more than a specified limit.  Sadaqah is a form of giving but is not restricted in the form of money or food, but includes every act done for the benefit of others.  Waqaf is the permanent dedication of any property or wealth for any purpose recognised by the religion and it involves the transfer of ownership of the things dedicated.   In a nutshell, Islamic philanthropy aims to develop value creation to the well being of the ummah. 

Collaborative Research on Islamic Microfinance

One of the research projects undertaken by the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) in driving its HICoE research niche in Islamic Financial Criminology is "Islamic Microfinance".  The project is collaboratively carried out between ARI UiTM, MydinMohamad Holding Berhad and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM).  The pilot phase will be carried out in collaboration with the Selangor Zakat Centre.  A Memoradum of Understanding (MOU) was recently signed between the different entitites involved to signify the research collaboration.  Mydin Mohamed Holding Berhad is a renowned supply chain and hyper market owner in Malaysia and its contribution as a research team is to fill the gap, where microcredit receipients are being directly linked to the market place through Mydin's various hypermarkets, emporiums and mini markets.  The research collaboration has received a fair  media attention... Thanks Berita Harian for covering this research initiative.

ARI-LZS Collaboration

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) through its Deputy Director, Professor Dr Rashidah Abdul Rahman met with Tuan Hj Mohamed Izam Bin Mohamed Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS) at his office in Shah Alam. Puan Ariffa Ariffin (General Manager Corporate Services, Puan Azimah and Puan Raja Maimunah Raja Ngah (Executive Payment Distribution) were also at the meeting. The meeting was held mainly to discuss possible research collaboration between Accounting Research Institute and Lembaga Zakat Selangor. An MOU will be signed between the two organisations in due course.   Professor Dr Rashidah is also currently heading ARI's Islamic Finance research cluster.

Cost Effectiveness of MMT and NSEP Programs

Researchers from two national research institutions: Accounting Research Institute (ARI) and the Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM) met up in USM, Kubang Kerian campus to discuss research progress.  Currently, the two institutions are engaged in a collaborative research project on MMT and NSEP harm reduction programs for HIV patients.  ARI in particular has been tasked to evaluate the cost effectiveness of both programs using the "4C" methodology at two locations - an NGO clinic and a public hospital in Kota Baru, Kelantan.  The 4C technique groups costs into four categories namely preventive, appraisal, internal consequences and external failures.  In managing the research project more effectively, INFORMM Director, Prof Dr Rusli Ismail has appointed a project manager, Mr Adib to coordinate research progress.  The researchers meet up quarterly to update the groups on issues and progress.

Research on Islamic Microfinancing

In driving its research niche in Islamic Financial Criminology (IFC), the Accounting Research Institute (ARI) is promoting a research agenda related to Islamic Microfinancing.  Recognising the gap in the existing microfinance business framework, ARI researchers are proposing on the need to link entrepreneurs with a reputable business partner to provide a total value chain to the microfinance agenda of business sustainability and poverty eradication.  Today, ARI researchers met up with a prominent business owner, Dato' Ameer, who is the Managing Director of Mydin Holding.  Mydin is the largest and most well established Malaysian retail and wholesale organization with more than 72 outlets.  Currently, Mydin products range from food line, household, soft line and hard line items.  From the meeting and discussion, Dato' Ameer has agreed in principle to participate as "viable business partner" in the Islamic Microfinance research project.  A pilot project which will commence in September/October 2012 will involve selected entrepreneurs to be jointly decided by ARI and Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM).

ARI-IBFIM i-CSR Project

Researchers from the Asia-Pacific Centre of Sustainability (APCeS) of the Accounting Research Institute - ARI and the Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM) met up today to discuss on possible research collaboration to develop an Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting (i-CSR).  Essentially, i-CSR is part of a comprehensive dimension of the Islamic Corporate Governance & Accountability (i-CGA) Framework for financial institution.  Both i-CSR and i-CGA are ARI-funded research projects which aim to strengthen the Islamic Finance industry in Malaysia and globally.  Both parties have agreed in principle to work together in the development of i-CGA and i-CSR.  They have also agreed to organise a one-day seminar to discuss the research framework and research instrument sometime in October 2012. Participants of the seminar will include practitioners, shariah advisors, regulators and researchers.

Meeting with Malaysia Automotive Institute

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) thanks Mr M. Madani, CEO of the Malaysia Automotive Institute (MAI)and his two officers, Mr Asrulnizam Addrus (Head of Strategic Research Division) and Mr Armey Jefri (Researcher, Supply Chain Division) for recently hosting ARI researchers at MAI office in Cyberjaya. Professor Dr Normah Omar and her PhD student Mr Hussein had an initial discussion with MAI officers for a possible UiTM-MAI research collaboration in the area of Target Costing Implementation Decision and Organizational Capabilities by Malaysian Automotive Manufacturing Companies. From the meeting, it was basically agreed that the proposed research collaboration will embark very soon. MAI was incorporated on 16 April 2010, to function as an independent non-profit organization under the custodian of MITI and was officially launched on 10 June 2010. It acts as a focal point and a coordination centre for the development of the local automotive industry in all matters related to automotive industry including the formulating of the national automotive policy, managing manpower development programme, formulating and coordinating automotive related research and development.

ARI Visit to Sports Commission Malaysia (SCM)

The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)thank Dato' Mohd Yasin Bin Mohd Salleh, Sports Commissioner of Malaysia and his officers Mohd Nazeri Gaib and Mohd Khairol for accepting our visit this morning.

Following the enactment of the Sports Development Act 1997 (SDA 1997) on 25th September 1997, the Sport Commission of Malaysia (SCM) was established on 1st January 1998. The main vision of SCM is to develop a world-class sport administration for Malaysia. Among the main objectives of SCM are: (i) to ensure effective implementation of SDA 1997, (ii) to ensure effective implementation of sport-related government policies, (iii) to educate, monitor and regulate sport associations so as to ensure compliance of the SDA 1997 and (iv)to ensure proper sports development and governance.

In fact research on sport associations is part of ARI's current research project under its "Governance of Non-Profit Organizations" sub-cluster. Three UiTM researchers comprising Prof Dr Normah Omar and Associate Professor Dr Roshayani Arshad from ARI and Mr Badrul Hisham Hussein representing the Faculty of Sports Science & Recreation attended the meeting today. In principle, the collaborative research hopes to evaluate the NPO governance of sport associations registered with SCM.