UTAR student shines on global stage with Best Paper Award at ICBSE-2025

Demonstrating the excellence and global competitiveness of UTAR students, Nicole Ng Ran Yee, a Year Three Bachelor of Economics (Honours) Global Economics student, made headlines with her remarkable achievement at the International Conference on Business, Sustainability, and Environment (ICBSE-2025).

Organised by GNIOT Institute of Management Studies (GIMS), a memorandum of understanding (MoU) partner of UTAR, ICBSE-2025 was held from 6 to 7 February 2025 in a hybrid format at Greater Noida, India. Themed “Innovations & Challenges in Changing Business Paradigm,” the conference brought together academicians, researchers, and industry practitioners from across the globe to exchange ideas and explore innovative models that address sustainability and environmental challenges in business and management.

Nicole Ng was awarded the Best Paper Award for her co-authored research titled Challenges in Price Stability for Sustainable Development of the Palm Oil Industry in ASEAN and the World Market. The study was conducted under the guidance of Assoc Prof Dr Aye Aye Khin, and in collaboration with Dr Yogambigai Rajamoorthy and Deputy Head of Unovate Centre Ts Dr Wong Whee Yen, reflecting strong interdisciplinary synergy between the Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) and the Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES).

The award-winning research examined the volatile dynamics of palm oil prices in ASEAN nations, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, alongside major world markets such as China and India. The team’s analysis uncovered significant short- and long-term correlations between price trends and factors like production and consumption, offering critical insights for both policymakers and industry stakeholders. The study also highlighted the pressing need for strategic partnerships and sustainable practices to stabilise pricing mechanisms in global markets.

Nicole Ng’s paper was selected among numerous international submissions, signalling the study’s relevance and impact within the broader conversation on sustainability in business. She expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the conference, stating, “It was because we wanted to explore key topics in business and the economy, share our research, and learn from experts. It was a great chance to exchange ideas and gain useful insights.”

The experience not only broadened Nicole Ng’s academic perspective but also marked a defining moment in her scholarly journey. She also credited her team for supporting her attendance at the conference, noting that their paper was selected for publication in Empirical Economic Letters, an ABDC-indexed journal.

Reflecting on this milestone, Dr Aye Aye, the team leader shared, “Being awarded as a student is a true honour, which makes winning this conference particularly meaningful for me, our team, and especially my student. This achievement is a big step in their academic journey and encourages them to keep exploring the global commodity markets.”

Nicole Ng received a certificate to mark her award, symbolising academic excellence and the high standards of research at UTAR. Her recognition at ICBSE-2025 underscores the university’s commitment to fostering research that addresses real-world challenges and promotes sustainable development.