Preparing For A Borderless Future: OYAGSB Seminar brings together 1,500 participants from 15 nations
News and photos Rozita Ramli
KUALA LUMPUR, 3 June 2026: The Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB), Universiti Utara Malaysia Kuala Lumpur (UUMKL), in collaboration with Universitas Ciputra, successfully organised an international seminar that attracted approximately 1,500 participants from 15 countries.
Bringing together academics, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) students, industry practitioners, and professionals from diverse sectors, the seminar served as a vibrant platform for exploring the future of work, global labour competitiveness, and cross-border employment opportunities within an increasingly complex and interconnected global economy.
The seminar, entitled “The Future of Work: Cross-Border Employment and Global Labour Competitiveness in a Global Economy,” was conducted as part of the group assignment component of the Seminar in Global Economy course under the guidance of Senior Lecturer Dr. Uma Murthy.
The event featured distinguished international speakers, including Kendra Gates Derousseau and Luigi Pralanga, whose presentations offered valuable perspectives on human capital development, global workforce transformation, international diplomacy, and the evolving demands of the 21st-century workplace.
Against the backdrop of rapid technological advancement, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and globalisation, the seminar provided participants with timely insights into the forces reshaping labour markets across the world. Discussions explored emerging workforce trends, the growing importance of adaptability and lifelong learning, and the competencies required to remain competitive in a borderless employment landscape.
For the doctoral students, the programme represented far more than an academic exercise. It provided a valuable opportunity to expand international scholarly networks, engage with global thought leaders, and deepen their understanding of contemporary economic challenges and opportunities.
Through meaningful dialogue and intellectual exchange, participants gained broader perspectives on the strategic issues influencing workforce development and global competitiveness.
Notably, the seminar was successfully coordinated and executed by DBA students as part of their academic and class presentation requirements. Their ability to successfully manage an international-scale event reflected their organisational and leadership capabilities.
According to Dr. Uma Murthy, “This seminar reflects the importance of preparing future leaders and professionals to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. Through international collaboration and intellectual discourse, students are exposed to real-world global challenges, cross-cultural perspectives, and emerging opportunities that will shape the future workforce.”
The organisers expressed hope that similar programmes would continue to nurture globally minded graduates who are innovative, resilient, and highly competitive. Such initiatives align closely with the aspirations of the global economy and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while reinforcing OYAGSB’s commitment to developing future-ready leaders capable of making meaningful contributions in an increasingly interconnected world.
