Business Connection 2017

From left: Dr Sia, ACCA Malaysia Business Development Manager Mr Raymond Chang, KPMG Executive Director of People, Performance and Culture Ms Monsy Siew, Maybank Chief Officer Puan Nora, Dato' Seri Ong, Prof Ewe, Maybank Group Head for Community Financial Services Datuk Lim Hong Tat, Deloitte Human Resource Manager Cik Nurbaiduri binti Mohd Razali and Dr Falahat during the launch

UTAR Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) organised the inaugural Business Connection 2017 from 23 October 2017 to 25 October 2017 at Sungai Long Campus. It was sponsored by the Platinum sponsor of Malaysia’s regional financial leader Maybank Berhad and Gold sponsors which consists of industry-related professional associations ACCA, Deloitte and KPMG.

Bearing the theme ‘Connect, Explore and Lead’, the event aimed to create a platform for the students to engage, interact and explore endless opportunities that are made available in companies and organisations. Business Connection 2017 is a testament to the efforts undertaken by the FAM in bringing together both the industry players and university students. The event also featured talks from industry experts, forum and competition.

Officiating the ceremony were Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister II-cum-UTAR Council Member Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, UTAR Vice President for Internationalisation and Academic Development Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Maybank Group Head for Community Financial Services Datuk Lim Hong Tat, Maybank Group Chief Human Capital Officer Nora Abd Manaf, KPMG Executive Director of People, Performance and Culture Monsy Siew, Deloitte Human Resource (HR) Manager Nurbaiduri binti Mohd Razali, ACCA Malaysia Business Development Manager Raymond Chang, Business Connection 2017 Chair Dr Falahat and UTAR FAM Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan.

“The curriculum is facing changes in technology. Therefore, it is important for us to keep ourselves updated about the industry and the market. We welcome feedback from the market leaders to lead the students to a better career path in the future. Students are encouraged to look out for opportunities and listen to the actual requirements from the industry players,” said Prof Ewe.

In her speech, Nora said, “It is not about what you know; it’s about what you do with what you know. Today’s world needs youth who will become leaders of tomorrow, who will create opportunities for themselves and the communities, and no longer wait for the opportunities to fall on their lap. Over the next decade and beyond, there will be more pressing issues and challenges faced and it is your responsibility to take charge, contribute and disrupt positively for a social change.”

“The industrial revolution will cause changes to the industries, employment and our daily lives. Thus, universities must be in line with the world that is facing swift, exponential change primarily driven by technological innovation,” said Dato’ Seri Ong.

Puan Nora, Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Datuk Lim Hong Tat, Prof Ir Dr Ewe Hong Tat

Participated at the event were The Malaysian Institute Of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), KL Idealink, Art Crow Sdn Bhd, Great Eastern Life Assurance, Wealth Management, Mary Kay (M) Sdn Bhd, DTC Wealth Management Sdn Bhd, Metroworld Realty Sdn Bhd, Wealth Mastery Academy Sdn Bhd, Keller (M) Sdn Bhd, CHI-LLTC, Landserve Sdn Bhd, Amazing Advisory Sdn Bhd, EUM Realty Sdn Bhd, ICAEW Malaysia Limited, Cense Media Sdn Bhd, The Institute of Internal Auditors Malaysia (IIA), Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), Brunsfield International Group, YYC Holdings Sdn Bhd and CPA Australia.

The event also featured several talks from the industry experts. “We are committed to world-class learning and growth. At the end of the day, it all comes back to you to decide how you are going to learn, gain knowledge and seek opportunities which will improve your career path,” said Nurbaiduri from Deloitte.

In another talk, KPMG Assistant Tax Manager Liew Li Lih said, “Learning is for life. All kinds of learning opportunities are just a ‘click’ or a conversation away. A positive attitude and a belief in your ability to keep learning will help you enjoy the process and discover many opportunities along the way.”

Cik Nurbaiduri (left) and Liew (right) sharing their expertise with the students

Apart from talks, a forum titled “The development of digital economy and the growing needs of professional accountants” was held. The forum featured CEO and Founder of 6Biz Avenue Dato’ Vimmy Yap, Cradle Fund Corporate Planning Manager Hazwani Mohammad Tajaluddin and Head of CFO Office at United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd Frankie Lee as the speakers and it was moderated by FAM Department of Accountancy Head K. Shamini.

“There is a need to bring Accounting to the next level and to work closely with the latest technology. It is up to the individual to ensure the profession is not replaced by the technology. At the end of the day, it is one’s own decision to adapt and move ahead with the changes or remain the same,” said Dato’ Vimmy.

Hazwani said, “Digital technology does affect Accounting. However, this is a matter of how you prepare yourself to move ahead and solve the problem by using digital and analytical skills to adapt to the current and future changes.”

“You need to improve yourself with value-added skills to remain relevant to the industry and to adapt to the technological changes to provide a better future,” said Frankie.

From Left: Shamini, CEO and Founder of 6Biz Avenue Dato’ Vimmy Yap, Dr Sia, Head of CFO Office at United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd Frankie Lee and Cradle Fund Corporate Planning Manager Hazwani Mohammad Tajaluddin after the forum

At the C-Suite Chat with Maybank Senior Executive Vice President and High Net Worth and Affluent Banking Community Financial Services Head Eunice Chan Chun Hei shared on topics such as wealth management, financial life cycle, personal financial objectives and career progression, to name a few. She said, “It is important to have leadership quality besides interpersonal skills. Remember to always be yourself.”

Business Pitch contestants with the judges accompanied by Dr Falahat (second row, fifth from right)

In conjunction with the event, several competitions were organised such as Business Pitch Competition, FAM Corporate Shirt and T-shirt Design Competition, FAM Corporate Video Competition and FAM Theme Song Competition. Judges for the Business Pitch Competition were FAM lecturers Prof Dato’ Dr Tai Shzee Yew, Dr Low Mei Peng, Dr S. Sheelah and Dr Tan Pei Meng.

On top of that, Maybank gave out 25 offer letters to UTAR students to attend an interview session. The offer letter qualifies the students to go for an interview without having to go through the normal application process.

Senior Executive Vice President Chan (second from right) presenting the prize to the champion of Corporate Shirt & T-Shirt Competition Yang Su Yi (far left) accompanied by Dr Sia (second from left) and Dr Falahat  

Senior Executive Vice President Chan presenting the prize to the Corporate Video Competition second-runner up How Qing Yi (second from left) accompanied by Dr Sia and Dr Falahat 

Senior Executive Vice President Chan presenting the prize to the Corporate Video Competition champion Bryan Chia Jun Wen (second from left) accompanied by Dr Sia and Dr Falahat

Senior Executive Vice President Chan presenting the consolation prize of the Theme Song Competition to Lim Wen Suen (second from left) accompanied by Dr Sia and Dr Falahat

Senior Executive Vice President Chan presenting the consolation prize of the Theme Song Competition to Soo Shi Jie (second from left) accompanied by Dr Sia and Dr Falahat

Senior Executive Vice President Chan presenting the prize to the Theme Song Competition champion Yiap Jun Hong (second from left) accompanied by Dr Sia and Dr Falahat

Senior Executive Vice President Chan presenting the prize to the Business Pitch Competition first-runner up H’ng Wei Jie (second from left) accompanied by Dr Sia and Dr Falahat

Senior Executive Vice President Chan presenting the prize to the Business Pitch Competition champion Chng Chung Shen (second from left) accompanied by Dr Sia and Dr Falahat

Eugenna Yap Rou Jun won the ‘Fly a plane’ prize after completing all the Maybank’s stamps collection activities

Students during the ‘Trade and Barter’ game

Business Connection 2017 committee members

Various booths at the event 

Students engaged in the ‘Giant Monopoly’ organised by the Maybank Berhad