News and pictures Nur Amirah Zakaria
SINTOK, 2 July 2025: The Management and Leadership Case Study Centre (PKKPK), in collaboration with the School of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management (STHEM), successfully hosted a Live Case Forum that turned theory into an unforgettable real-world experience. This one-of-a-kind event brought students and staff face-to-face with the protagonist of a compelling, real-life business case – offering insights no lecture or textbook could ever capture.
The spotlight shone on the case study, “Strategic Leadership Amidst Crisis: The Case of the Symphony Suites Hotel,” authored by Madam Siti Aminah Hasbullah, Madam Umme Umaimah Amin, Mr. Norhafizi Nordin, and Dr Eshaby Mustafa.
The case chronicles the extraordinary journey of Mr. Muhamad Hairil Kumaradas, the General Manager who steered Symphony Suites Hotel through the turbulent seas of the COVID-19 pandemic. With resilience, strategic foresight, and unwavering determination, Mr. Hairil navigated one of the hospitality industry’s most daunting chapters – making the case a standout recipient of the 2024 Case Study Research Grant.
The forum was officially launched by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Johan Afendi Bin Ibrahim, Dean of STHEM, who commended the organizing team and underscored the importance of such initiatives in promoting experiential and industry-relevant learning.
“This event is more than a forum, it’s a learning experience brought to life,” remarked Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narentheren Kaliappen, Director of PKKPK. “Students gain invaluable insights when they have the opportunity to ask questions, observe strategic thinking in real time, and hear directly from the individuals who made the critical decisions. These are lessons no textbook can fully convey.”
During the forum, Mr. Hairil shared his leadership journey, pivotal decision-making moments, and the emotional resilience required to maintain operations and boost team morale during crisis. Lead case writer Madam Siti Aminah expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to turn lived experiences into a powerful learning tool.
Co-author and panelist Dr. Eshaby reflected on the depth of understanding insight gained from their interviews, noting that the case was meticulously developed to reflect the complex challenges faced by industry leaders.
Dr. Narentheren further emphasized PKKPK’s strategic commitment: “Bringing case protagonists to campus aligns with our mission to create transformative learning environments. It bridges theory and practice, encourages reflective thinking, and equips students for real-world leadership. PKKPK will continue to support high-impact initiatives, including research grants for the development of compelling case studies.”
The event attracted over 50 participants, including students, academics, and administrative staff, and represents a growing movement at UUM toward immersive, practice-based education designed to empower the next generation of industry leaders.
