BAFE fosters interdisciplinary collaboration

As a progressive University, UTAR constantly holds conferences and colloquium as platforms for researchers to share their research findings and network with others for more collaborative opportunities.

This year, with the aim to strengthen cross-disciplinary collaborations in the field of Business, Accounting, Finance and Economics, UTAR Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF), the Centre for Accounting, Banking and Finance (CABF), the Centre for Business and Management (CBM), and the Centre for Economic Studies (CES) once again organised UTAR’s 6th International Conference on Business, Accounting, Finance and Economics (BAFE) 2018 from 4 to 5 October 2018 at Kampar Campus.

Organised for six consecutive years since 2013, the two-day conference themed ‘The Challenges of Change’ was a great platform for knowledge sharing regarding research findings and networking on the aspects of business management, accounting, finance and economics. 

The VIPs, organising committees, speakers, sponsors and participants

Over 120 local and international researchers converged and came together during the university’s annual conference.

The opening ceremony of BAFE 2018 was officiated by UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong representing UTAR President Ir Prof Academician Dato’ Dr Chuah Hean Teik. He was accompanied by UTAR FBF Dean Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, Organising Chairperson of BAFE 2018-cum-FBF Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Lau Lin Sea and esteemed keynote speaker Prof Dr Wilton Chau Chi Wai from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

BAFE 2018 is officially launched; (from left) Prof Ramayah, Prof Ooi, Dr Au Yong, Prof Choong, Prof Chau, Dr Lau, Prof Ho, Prof Tiru and Prof Peter

Also present at the ceremony were Adjunct Professor of Amrita School of Business of Banglore Campus in India-cum-UTAR International Collaborative Partner Prof Dr Tiru K. Jayaraman, FBF Deputy Dean for Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes Peter Tan Sin Howe, FBF Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Yew King Tak, Head of CES Dr Foo Chuan Chew, Head of CABF Dr M. Krishna Moorthy, Head of CBM Dr Lee Voon Hsien, FBF Heads of Departments Dr Choong Yuen Onn, Choy Johnn Yee, Kuah Yoke Chin, Ng Yin Kuan, G. Thavamalar, Dr Zam Zuriyati binti Mohamad, FBF Head of Postgraduate Degree Programmes Dr Abdelhak Senadjki and Head of MBA (Corporate Management) Programme Dr Ahmad Nazri bin Wahidudin, FBF lecturers, UTAR staff and students.

Dr Au Yong emphasising the objective of the conference

Dr Au Yong expressed her gratitude to all the parties for supporting the conference and said, “The Conference’s theme ‘The Challenges of Change’ aimed to be a valuable platform for young researchers and scholars to share thoughts and innovative ideas particularly in the fields of business, accounting, finance and economics. The theme has been carefully chosen to indicate the challenges that we have to face constantly in today’s ever-changing business world. The rapid rate of technological and digital advance in the era of Fourth Industrial Revolution has changed every aspect of the way businesses operate and never before in history has that change occurred so fast.” She added, “I hope you will find the conference to be useful and that BAFE 2018 can provide an excellent platform for academic deliberation. I would like to convey my sincere appreciation to Dr Lau and her organising committee for the effort and commitment to make this conference a reality.”

Prof Choong introducing the theme of the conference

On behalf of the President, Prof Choong thanked the speakers, sponsors and organising committee, “I would like to extend my appreciation to the conference’s line-up of esteemed keynote speaker, industrial forum speakers and research forum speakers for coming all the way to share your research insights and knowledge with the participants. I would also like to express my congratulations to the UTAR joint organisers of this conference; The Faculty of Business and Finance, The Centre for Accounting, Banking and Finance, The Centre for Business and Management, and The Centre for Economic Studies. Your synergy as a team has made this conference a success and I hope your concerted efforts will benefit all participants present today.”

He added, “Themed ‘Challenges of Change’, BAFE Conference 2018 draw focus on addressing the changes brought forth by the digital revolution and learning to embrace the changes through discussions with over 60 papers that were submitted. This year we are delighted to have papers from China, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Pakistan and India. We also received papers from local educational institutions, namely Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), UCSI University, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) and Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). We are proud to welcome all presenters to the university and we thank them for their commitment and willingness to share their findings, knowledge, views and opinions with the conference participants.”

Prof Chau delivering the keynote address

The invited keynote speaker for the conference was Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Prof Chau.  He delivered a significant Keynote Address titled “Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Higher Education”. He shared his expertise in artificial intelligence, specifically, on how it shapes the future of higher education as well as its true impacts.

The BAFE 2018 is a key initiative in providing a significant prospect for researchers and scholars to present their research findings. The successful BAFE 2018 saw the submission of 60 papers. The participants of the conference came all the way from China, United Kingdom, Nigeria, Pakistan and India while the rest included local educational institutions, UTAR lecturers, staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students.

A total of 67 presentations on various topics including accounting, auditing and taxation, financial economics, technology in business, finance, global and institutional economics, organisational strategy and behaviour, banking, education management, banking and finance, societal contribution, business management strategy and tourism services, were delivered.

The presentations started after the Keynote Address. There were two parallel sessions held concurrently each day. 

Clockwise from top left: Prof Ho, Prof Peter, Prof Ooi and Prof Ramayah

Among the other highlights were Prof Dr Catherine Ho Soke Fun’s presentation on “Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the Financial Industry”, Dr Y. Peter’s presentation on “Creating Value in the Industry Revolution 4.0: Perspective of Higher Education”, Prof T. Ramayah’s presentation on “How to Publish in High Impact Journals”, and Prof Dr Ooi Keng Boon’s presentation on “A Pathway to Improve H-index and Citation”.

Adding to the highlights was the announcement of the winners of the BAFE 2018 Best Paper Award during the Gala Dinner held in Grand Kampar Hotel on 04 October 2018. The list of winners is as follows:

List of Winners for the Best Paper Award

Paper ID		Title			Authors
BAFE083		The Causal Factors Behind Rising Non-Performing Assets of India’s Commercial Banks: A Panel Study			T.K. Jayaraman, Chin-Yu, Lee and Cheong-Fatt, Ng
BAFE028		Cross Border Interdependency: Evidence from Equity Volatility Spillover During Global Financial Crisis			Yip, Pick Schen, Lai Kwan, Chin
BAFE078		Determining Factors Affecting Mobile Social Media Marketing Acceptance of Digital Natives			LaiWan, Wong
BAFE009		Save National Budget or Human Lives? A UTAUT Theory and Malaysian MRT3 Saga Perspective			Ogbeibu Samuel, Abdelhak Senadjki, Iddrisu Mohammed Awal, Au Yong Hui Nee

The Best Paper Award recipients with the VIPs

The main sponsors of the BAFE 2018 were WTA Consulting, KPMG, Wealthworks, Spritzer, MACS, TESCO, Grand Kampar Hotel, UOB, H.C. Wong & Chew, Klinik Family Hill City Ipoh and Infotax Planning Sdn Bhd.