Conference helps to strengthen strategic partnerships

The 3rd Global Accounting and Organisational Change Conference (GAOC) held recently at the Sunway Resort & Spa, Malaysia attracted 76 conference participants from 18 countries. The Sunway University Business School (SUBS) co-organised and hosted the event together with La Trobe University, Australia in association with the Journal of Accounting and Organisational Change. The theme was “The role of accounting in promoting good governance and sustainable management”. This is the first international conference organised by the SUBS.

Prof Arfah Salleh (right) and Assoc. Professor Dr. Foo Yin Fah, Co-Chair GAOC 2012

The Guest of Honour Charles Tilley, Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) gave the opening lecture on “Rebooting Business: Valuing the Human Dimension”. The conference was held over four days and featured three keynote speakers; Professor Irvine Lapsley from the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom who spoke on “A Global Challenge – Performance Management in Public Services” ; Professor Mike Shields from Michigan State University who delivered on “Management Accounting and Organisational Change” and Professor Arfah Salleh from University Putra Malaysia who lectured on “Bringing back Human Governance Through Education – A Refection of Past, Present and Future”.

A Sunway University Business School third year student pursuing the Bachelor Science (Honours) in Accounting and Finance, Evelyn W.S Lum made her debut presentation of a paper written jointly with her lecturer, Dr. Joyce K.H Nga on “An Investigation into Unethical Behaviour Intentions: A Malaysian Study”.

Dr Ratnam Alagiah (centre) receives with the Sunway University Best Paper Award for Financial Reporting & Sustainability, with co-reseracher Anirban Chatterjee. Prof Zahirul Hoque, Co-Chair GAOC 2012 on the right

Evelyn shared “It was a rewarding and enriching experience to be able to present a paper at the GAOC 2012. Prior to the presentation, I had mixed feelings of anxiety and fear of not being up to par. However, after the presentation, the experience made me feel all the time and effort put it was worthwhile; I am especially thankful to Dr. Joyce who constantly guided and encouraged me. I hope to be able to write more papers in the future that can be presented in conferences or published in journals. It would be my dream, to one day become a ‘best paper award’ recipient at a global conference”. SUBS academics Anne Ho Poh Chin and Adnan Trakic presented their papers on “The Role of Family, Social, Human and Financial Capital in Family Business Sustainability – A Malaysian Case Study” and “The Adjudication of Shari’ah Issues in Islamic Financial Contracts: Is Malaysian Islamic Finance Litigation A Solution?” respectively. Around 20 SUBS students volunteered to assist in the logistics for the conference participants as well as A & P material designs for the GAOC 2012 including the conference booklet cover and buntings.

Sunway University Student Evelyn Lum made her debut presentation during the GAOC 2012

Professor Graeme Wilkinson, Vice-Chancellor, Sunway University said, “The presence of supporters from the industry adds value to the conference, not only to the academic community but also to industry players in the relevant fields. We value such strategic partnerships that will bridge academic researchers and key industry players to strengthen engagement between the two parties.”

The conference sponsors were namely CIMA, Emerald, MIA, Monash University Sunway campus, and ICAEW.