FBF wins second prize in MMU Press Article Writing Competition 2023

UTAR Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF) Master of Philosophy student Khong Eng Mun won second prize in the MMU Press Article Writing Competition 2023.

Supervised by FBF academics Dr Seow Ai Na and Dr Lam Siew Yong, the student walked away with a cash prize of RM500.

Held online, the MMU Press Article Writing Competition was an arm of Multimedia University (MMU) to reach the world through quality empirical research. The participants were required to submit their articles online by 31 July 2023 and the winners were announced on the website on 13 October 2023. The competition also aimed to connect MMU with the larger communities and institutions through innovative and inspiring writings.

The research paper titled “The Influence of Perceived Institutional Support and Social Competencies on Online Learning Satisfaction: A Private Higher Education Student Perspective” won second prize under the postgraduate category for the journal Issues and Perspectives in Businesses and Social Sciences.

When asked to explain the research paper, Dr Seow explained, “The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift to online learning, and we were interested in its impact on students’ satisfaction. Our study investigates how institutional support and social competencies impact online learning satisfaction among private higher education students, providing insights for enhancing the learning experience.”

Dr Lam also gushed, “This research aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 - Quality Education. It contributes to the quality of education, especially in the context of the changing environment and furthers the mission of providing inclusive and accessible education that is effective and rewarding.”

Ms Khong added, “By understanding how institutional support and social competencies influence online learning satisfaction, education providers can enhance the inclusive online learning environment for students. Besides, insights gained can benefit students to have a more effective and satisfaction in studies. The practical application of this study lies in its potential to guide educational institutions, instructors, and policymakers.”

She concluded, “Joining the competition was a personal challenge, and winning is an affirmation that hard work and dedication pay off. This experience has fueled my enthusiasm for writing, and I am excited to continue contributing meaningfully to the field. UTAR’s supportive faculty and supervisors played a crucial role in honing my writing skills. Winning this award is a testament to the valuable education and nurturing atmosphere I experienced at UTAR.”

Organised by MMU, the MMU Press Article Writing Competition was first established in 2019.