Sunway University 2011 graduates reach for the stars

Sunway University recently celebrated 405 graduating students during the 2011 Graduation Ceremony in the presence of the Pro-Chancellor Y.Bhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Ramon Navaratnam. The ceremony held at Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa is held annually for the conferring of degrees and the granting of diplomas to candidates from the Sunway University Business School, School of Computer Technology, School of Creative Arts and Communication, School of Health and Natural Sciences and the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Management.

Sunway School of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure Management students were all smiles after the graduation ceremony

Sunway University’s accounting and finance programme gains maximum exemptions from CIMA

Elizabeth Lee and Charles Tilley during the signing ceremony.

Sunway University and CIMA (the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), the world's largest professional body of management accountants that offers the most relevant finance qualification for business recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) where CIMA has accorded the maximum number of exemptions to Sunway’s Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Accounting and Finance programme. Graduates of this programme will receive the maximum 11 exemptions of the CIMA Professional Qualification in Management Accounting. Sunway University may also use the CIMAstudy.com online study material to complement classroom teaching.

Calvin Lee win Second prize for Perdana Leadership Award

Calvin Lee Eng Siong, a final year student pursuing his BSc (Hons) in Business Management, Sunway University won the second prize for the third Essay Competition “Nurturing the Minds of Future Leaders” jointly organized by Perdana Leadership Award and MPH group. Calvin bagged RM1, 000 in cash, an e-book reader, an iPod Nano and RM250 in book vouchers for his essay on Malaysia in a Globalised World: A High-Income Status through Human Capital Development. The Essay Competition that took place between May and October 2010 also saw entries on “Vision 2020”, “Global Competitiveness” and “A High-Income Nation” as part of the competition’s theme, “Malaysia in a Globalised World”.

The winners were arbitrated by Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Khoo Kay Kim, Tan Sri Hashim Makaruddin and Dato’ Hardev Kaur.

Calvin (centre) with Associate Professor Dr Foo Yin Fah, Head of School of Business and Grace Tay.



The School of Business Establishes a Strong Linkage with Industry and the Profession

Industry Advisory Board
The Sunway University School of Business aims to be a highly regarded and influential business school in the country by 2015 through offering innovative market-driven programmes that nurture enterprising and responsible business leaders.

In order to further strengthen its existing links with industry and the profession so as to ensure the ongoing suitability and relevance of its academic programmes, the School has established an Industry Advisory Board. The purpose and role of the Board is to provide advice and make recommendations to the School on all relevant aspects of the School’s programmes from an industry and professional perspective. The Board will also contribute to the fostering of industry, professional and community links.

The Industry Advisory Board will have the following functions:   

• To provide industry and professional based perspectives to proposed developments and directions of the School and its academic curriculum;
   
• To facilitate links between the School and the business community and assist the School in developing and maintaining strong links with key stakeholders in industry and the relevant professional organisations. This would include advice and assistance in the development and submission of proposals to key external government, industry and professional bodies;
   
• To advance the work of the School and in particular, identify, monitor and contribute to the educational needs of industry and the relevant professions.
   
• To assist the School in the ongoing review of its curriculum, to ensure its relevance to industry and the profession;
   
• To advise and assist the School in relation to industry internship and work-based learning;
   
• To provide advice in the development of new academic programmes to meet industry and professional needs;
   
• To make proposals on any major matters pertaining to or which may affect the School; and
   
• To assist and support the development and provision of research opportunities.

   

From left to right: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Foo Yin Fah; Dr. Chong Su-Lin; Mr. Siew Chin Kiang (Chair); Prof. Robert Bignall; Ms. Christina Foo; Prof. Arfah Salleh; Mr. Anas Zubedy

The Industry Advisory Board currently comprises of four industry members. They are Mr. Siew Chin Kiang, Staff Partner of KPMG Malaysia; Dr. Chong Su-Lin, CEO of Sunway Medical Centre Berhad; Mr. Anas Zubedy, Managing Director of Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd; and Ms. Christina Foo, Managing Director of Priority One Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd. The other three members of the Board are Professor Robert Bignall, Vice-Chancellor; Professor Arfah Salleh, Adjunct Professor in the School of Business and Associate Professor Dr. Foo Yin Fah, Head of the School of Business, at Sunway University.

The Industry Advisory Board inaugural meeting was held on 4 March 2011.

Launch of 1Malaysia Entrepreneurship Week

Sunway University College’s drive and growing need to produce first-class students in the education industry was visible with their second launch of the 1Malaysia Entrepreneurship Week in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education. Implemented to create a platform of enterprising youths that are eager to exchange ideas and seek guidance, the students were exposed to a series of talks, interviews, question and answer sessions as well as practical tips.

The launch was officiated by YB Dr. Hou Kok Chung, The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia (fifth from right)

Global Accounting and Organizational Change Research Conference 2012

Hosted by Sunway University in association with the Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change and La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia.

We are pleased to announce that the third biennial international conference of the Global Accounting and Organizational Change Research (GAOCR) network will be held at Sunway University, tentatively from July 14-17, 2012. The theme of the conference is “Accounting’s role in promoting good corporate governance and sustainable management.”

The GAOCR network is committed to high-quality research on contemporary issues in organizational and accounting change. It aims to provide a platform for international researchers and practitioners from multiple disciplines to disseminate information on organizational and accounting systems change. The 2012 conference will be organized by Sunway University in association with La Trobe University (Victoria, Australia) and the Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change (JAOC). Founded in 2005, JAOC represents a new emphasis on exploring how organizations change, and how the change process affects organizational and social processes. For further details about the journal, visit: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/jaoc.htm

We hope you will have a stimulating conference, and also have an opportunity to enjoy the Sunway Integrated Resort City, the city of Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding areas in Malaysia.

We look forward to welcoming you to the conference and to Sunway University in 2012!

Further details about the conference will be available soon!

Associate Professor Dr. YF Foo, School of Business Sunway Universit No.5 Jalan Universiti Bandar Sunway 46150 Petaling Jaya Malaysia +603 7491 8622 Ext 8309 foo-yf@sunway.edu.my	Professor Zahirul Hoque, School of Accounting La Trobe University Victoria 3086, Australia + 613 9479 3433 jaoc@latrobe.edu.au

Accounting Quest 2010 Competition

After months of preparation and hard work, the quest for the 21st century accountants came to an exciting end on May 8 at Sunway University College, Bandar Sunway, when Sek. Men. Keb. (P) Sri Aman, Selangor, emerged the champion.

Gleeful screams greeted the announcement of their win as Amiera bt Zulkarnain, Fong Weng Yee and Iman Izni binti Ezzat Chan hugged each other on stage celebrating the rewarding conclusion to their long arduous journey.

As champions, the girls were recipients of full scholarships from Sunway University College to pursue a foundation programme continuing into an undergraduate degree in accounting, and the opportunity to be mentored by KPMG, one of the prestigious Big 4 accounting firms, in their final year of studies. Upon graduation, with all conditions fulfilled, they will also be offered a job by KPMG. Each of the champions walked away with RM1000 cash prize and individual trophy, along with RM500 cash prize and a Challenge Trophy for their school.

Launched in April, the inaugural Accounting Quest 2010 is a gruelling competition divided into five stages. It was opened to all secondary school students of Form 4 and 5 in Peninsula Malaysia. 138 schools from 6 regions took part with the top 21 teams (three from each region with the exception of six from Selangor-Kuala Lumpur) making it into the finals.

This competition aimed to unearth well-rounded students who have the qualities to be groomed into a progressive 21st century accountant.

The much anticipated finals started with Stage 3 where each team was drilled on their knowledge of the accounting subject. Enthusiastic supporters in the audience were also spotted trying to solve the problems. Eight teams with the highest scores proceeded to Stage 4.

Stage 4 presented a different challenge to the participants. In line with the idea that the modern accountant not only crunch numbers but also possesses good business acumens and the ability to interact with investors, each team was required to make a 3-minute PowerPoint presentation of their Stage 2 project.

Ranging from beverage manufacturers like F&N to conglomerates like Sime Darby, the teams made in-depth analyses of the performance of their chosen companies and attempted to convince the judges to invest in them. After each presentation, the teams were questioned on their choices and recommendations, along with their personal views on a broad range of subjects including the cause of the 2008 banking crisis, description of what a 21st century accountant should be and what are the implications of governments aiding banks in this crisis.

The panel of judges, made up of Dr. Foo Yin Fah (Head of Sunway University College School of Business), Audrey Danasamy (General Manager - Malaysia of CPA Australia), Lee Yee Keng (Audit Partner with KPMG) and Adrian Lee (Audit Partner with KPMG representing ICAEW), assessed each team based on the content of their projects, eloquence and public speaking skills.

Five teams made it into Stage 5 as the competition was raised another notch in the final speedy buzzer round where teams had to prove their smarts on general knowledge and the ability to listen to instructions. All the teams who made it this far were consistent performers since Stage 1 itself.

In the end, as all the points from every stage were tallied, SMK (P) Sri Aman had a slight edge as they performed very well during the buzzer round.

The Accounting Quest 2010 is organised by Sunway University College in partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and CPA Australia, along with the main sponsor, KPMG.

Congratulations to the champions and all the other teams who also did a tremendous job in the Accounting Quest 2010.

The full list of winners:

Champion SMK (P) Sri Aman, Selangor Amiera bt Zulkarnain, Foon Weng Yee, Iman Izni binti Ezzat Chan 1st Runner-Up SMK Damansara Jaya (Team B) Marc Choong Guong Nam, Lim Wen Li, Koh Hui Yin 2nd Runner-Up SMK Damansara Jaya (Team A) Tia Tzyy Yee, Lee Yi Zhen, Kang Chan Keat

Consolation SMK Infant Jesus Convent, Johor Chiew Yilynn, Low Hui Yi, Elyssa Chan Ern-Mei ELC International School, Kuala Lumpur Beechey Julian Charles, Khubchandani Mihir Salim, Sarah Lim Yan Yi Stage 4 Consolation SMK Taman Melawati, Selangor Kaif Hilman bin Muhammad Borhan Tan, Ong Jer Rick, Chua Wang Jheng SMJK (P) Cina, Penang Lon Chin Ling, Ooi Kiesha, Tan Pei Ying SMK (P) Methodist, Penang Andria Ooi Ching Mei, Lim Lean Na, Shirley Leong Yan Yan

 

 

Cutting Edge Business Degree is Now Available at Sunway

The Bachelor of Business Management (Hons) programme is the latest addition to the range of business programmes offered at Sunway University College (Sunway). It is a three year honours degree programme specially designed to provide students with broad-based knowledge and cutting-edge business management skills for the future “shakers and movers” of the industry in a fast changing world.

The unique feature of this holistic programme offered at the award-winning 10-hectare Sunway University College campus is the inclusion of liberal arts and sciences type subjects, research methods and projects into the curriculum.

A range of 26 subjects straddling the more conventional economics, law and accounting are read along with the more innovative Business Ethics and Social Responsibility, Contemporary Regional Issues and the Political Economy of Asia. The programme is structured to enhance the students’ intellectual and leadership qualities and endow them with ethics and governance to enable them to succeed anywhere in the world. A manager of today must be cognisant of the socio-economic, cultural and legal aspects that may have effect on their business.

There is opportunity for internship in the last seven weeks of the programme where students are required to apply what they have learnt in the real world, develop practical skills and forge alliances with the industry, business and the local community.

Analytical skills, highly regarded in the business setting are imbued into students through the subjects of Quantitative Business Analysis, Research Methods in Business and a Business and Community Project.

Caring and qualified lecturers from Sunway University College and part-time facilitators from the industry provide expert teaching, mentoring and tutorial support. The programme will also feature the “Distinguished Speakers Series” whereby outstanding academicians and renowned business leaders will share their insights on current business-related issues. Among some of the well-known speakers slated for future speaking engagements are Professor Wang Gungwu and Professor Lim Chong Yah.

The Sunway RM120 million campus is fully equipped with academic and sporting facilities such as a computer learning centre, condominium-styled hostels, Olympic-sized swimming pool and a pitch for year round soccer, rugby and cricket to provide the right environment for the all-round education of students. With international student numbers comprising a quarter of the total student population there is a multicultural element in the environment which enhances learning.

Learning is supported by the well-equipped ISO 9001:2001 Tun Hussein Onn library which subscribes to many online databases that can be printed, downloaded or emailed. Assessment for the Bachelor of Business Management (Hons) programme is in the form of a combination of assignments, class participation, project reports, tests and examinations. The first intake for this new programme will be in January 2006.

In 1997, the Sunway College Trust Fund was set up and the status of Sunway was formalized as a not-for-profit educational institution. Any surplus funds are reinvested for educational, scientific and charitable purposes as well as upgrading of campus facilities. To date, Sunway has awarded more than RM 22 million worth of scholarships to deserving students.

Outstanding students intending to pursue the BBM (Hons) Degree programme may apply for the Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah Entrance Scholarship which is available at full or half of the course fees. For enquiries on the programme and other courses please call (03) 74918622.