2nd September 2020 – Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS) UTM, recently held the second “Action Research Challenge” (AARC) for the year 2020. This time round, 89 students delivered their presentations across 9 business areas.
The AARC initiative aims to address industry problems through rigorous research approach in which the solutions are presented in the forms of action research, business research, and case studies. The platform brings together important stakeholders including AHIBS adjunct professors, industrial advisory panels (IAP), industry peers and fellow academics. The AARC is part of holistic framework for quality and relevant business education at AHIBS and has become a key feature that differentiates AHIBS MBA from other programs elsewhere.
Dean Prof. Dr Nur Naha Abu Mansor officiated the conference by delivering a message emphasizing the role for business schools in enhancing practical learning experience, collaborations, and publications among stakeholders. The AARC also hosted a virtual seminar entitled “Driving Sustainable Development Goals in Global Business Schools in Action Research Perspective”. The main speaker, Major Kehormat Prof. Tan Sri Datuk Fng Ah Seng who is one of AHIBS Adjunct Professors delivered the keynote. This is followed by AHIBS MBA student Dr. Nusrat Ahmad who is also one of the winners of the ‘Pitch For Funding 2019”. The forum was moderated by Dr. Haliyana Khalid who is AHIBS Social Media talent.
Insights from the speakers stressed on the importance of collaborative efforts from the academia and industries to achieve sustainable global developmental goals. The AHIBS Action Research challenge program is modelled towards this collaboration to produce business ready leaders and managers that are able to meet tough business challenges that the industry needs. The forum concluded that the action research projects initiative would be able to produce MBA graduates that are able to support the sustainable developmental goals for quality education, economic growth and smart partnerships.
The conference ended with the Dean awarding 11 winners across concurrent sessions. The AARC 2020 grand winner also goes to Mr. Kumaresan a/l Ravichandran who presented his project entitled ”Effect of growth hacking and new business features to increase the merchant and user subscribers in an e-wallet application company in Malaysia” which is supervised by Dr Haliyana Khalid.
Special acknowledgements go to Azman Hashim Endowment as a key contributor to the success of AARC 2020. This conference is led by Dr. Nazimah Hussin, AHIBS Director for Business Administration together with her team, and was deemed a success.