Creating impactful research

Front row, third from left: Prof Suparno and Dr Yong with the UNTAG delegates and UTAR staff

The delegates from Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 (UNTAG) Semarang paid a visit to UTAR Sungai Long Campus on the 4 December 2019. A seminar was held in conjunction with the visit where UNTAG PhD candidates shared their research studies with UTAR lecturers.

Present at the event were UNTAG Semarang Rector Prof Dr Suparno, Prof Dr Edy Lisdiyono, Prof Dr Retno Mawarini Sukmarinningsih, Dr Eko Nursanty, Dr Mashari, Dr Sri Mulyani, Jaziruzzaman and PhD candidates. Representing UTAR were Institute of Postgraduate Studies and Research Director Assoc Prof Dr Yong Thian Khok, Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) Deputy Dean Dr Hen Kai Wah, FAM Head of Programme for PhD/MPhil Dr Cham Tat Huei and staff.

The seminar, moderated by Dr Cham, sought to provide participants with the opportunity to further discuss their research studies with leading researchers and experts through an interactive session in order for the PhD candidates to refine their skills of research, search scholarly information and present their work.

Dr Tun (left) and Arista (right) during their presentation

The first presentation titled “Malaysia Economy” was delivered by FAM lecturer Dr Tun Yin Li. In her talk, she spoke about Malaysia GDP structure 2018 and the Malaysian economy. Dr Tun said, “Malaysia economy experienced moderate growth in 2019 due to the challenges of internal and external factors. The internal factors include the change of government which caused uncertainty and there is a policy shift towards expenditure reprioritisation and reforms on institutional and governance framework under the new government. The change in policy focus on long-term sustainability causes short-term economic growth trade-offs through lower public sector spending.”

Arista Candra Irawati presented her talk titled, “The Legal Construction of the Corruption Eradication Commission in the Perspective of Law Polities” where she spoke about principals of legal ideas. She said, “The four basic principles of legal ideals include surrounding all elements of the nation for the sake of integrity, creating social justice in economics and society, establishing the sovereignty of the people and the state of the law and creating tolerance on the basis of humanity and civilisation in religious life.”

Clockwise from right: Lee, Dr Ho and Elly delivering their ideas to the audience

FAM Specialists Lee Sim Kuen in her talk titled “Malaysia Business Law” spoke about the Supremacy of Constitution, Reid Commission, overviews of laws in national perspective and hierarchy of courts in Malaysia. Lee said, “Constitution is the supreme law of the land. This means the constitution determines what kind of country this is, and who can make the laws, and it has the power to limit the kinds of laws that can be made.”

The fourth presentation titled “The Doctor’s Liability for Defaults in the Therapeutic Transaction” was delivered by Elly Wijaya Nursyam. She said, “Settlement of breach of contract conducted by a doctor in a therapeutic transaction is usually prioritized by family outside the court, through negotiation or mediation with the mediator from his own family. Patients who feel disadvantaged by doctors can be referred to the Disciplinary Board of Medicine Indonesia (MKDKI).”

Centre for International Studies Chairperson Dr Ho Ying Chan presented on “Malaysia: Political System and Policy” where he shared with the audience on the main components of the Malaysian political system, special provisions, vision 2020 and the new economic model. He said, “The authority of a government is supreme in at least one or more areas that are assigned to it. Both levels of government have direct relations with its citizens. Either level of government cannot change this constitutional relationship by itself and each government exists in its own rights and authority.”

Dr Yong (right) and Prof Suparno (left) exchanging token of appreciation