News and pictures Saharah Saad
KUALA LUMPUR, 5 August 2025: The Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB), Universiti Utara Malaysia, successfully hosted its Doctoral Symposium 2/2025 virtually via Webex, further solidifying its reputation as a dynamic hub for rigorous, inclusive, and globally attuned research.
The symposium offered an intellectually vibrant platform for doctoral students to showcase their research, gain valuable insights from seasoned academics, and engage in enriching scholarly dialogue. It reflected OYAGSB’s unwavering mission to nurture forward-thinking scholars who embody critical inquiry, research agility, and ethical leadership.
The event commenced with opening address by Professor Ts. Dr. Norazah Mohd Suki, Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation & Corporate Relations. She reaffirmed the School’s commitment to championing high-impact, interdisciplinary research that addresses real-world challenges, drives policy innovation, and aligns with international scholarly standards.
A total of 13 doctoral candidates took the virtual stage, presenting their work. The line-up included five Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and three PhD candidates from OYAGSB, four PhD candidates from the School of Business Management (SBM), and one from the Tunku Intan Safinaz School of Accountancy (TISSA). This diverse representation underscored OYAGSB’s strong culture of interschool collaboration and academic inclusivity.
Each presentation impressed with its academic depth, originality, and relevance to industry and society. Research topics explored included ESG adoption in Malaysian industries, cybersecurity in digital banking, AI integration in public administration, green intellectual capital, transformational leadership in education, and machine learning in corporate carbon disclosure – showcasing the breadth and depth of doctoral inquiry at UUM.
The presenters demonstrated not only command over their subject matter but also a remarkable ability to respond to thoughtfully to probing questions, reflecting the high calibre of supervision and training they receive at OYAGSB.
Adding immense value to the symposium was a distinguished panel of academic reviewers, who offered critical, constructive, and forward-looking feedback. Their expert insights played a pivotal role in helping candidates fine-tune their theoretical frameworks, sharpen their methodologies, and align their research for impactful scholarly contribution.
The symposium concluded on a high note, having achieved its objectives of advancing research excellence, expanding academic networks, and equipping scholars with critical input ahead of their proposal defense and future publications.
Building on the success of this edition, OYAGSB looks forward to its next Doctoral Symposium, scheduled for December 2025 – an event poised to continue in inspiring and empowering the next generation of academic leaders.
Interested candidates are encouraged to visit the symposium webpage for the latest updates and registration information: http://www.oyagsb.uum.edu.my/current-students/doctoral-colloquium-symposium
