Preparing For The AI Economy: OYAGSB DBA Webinar draws international audience for labour market dialogue
News and photos Rozita Ramli
KUALA LUMPUR, 3 June 2026: The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) candidates from the Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) successfully organised an international webinar entitled “Labour Market Transformation in the Era of AI and Automation” on 24 May 2026.
Organised under the course BDMF8023: Seminar in Global Economy, led by Senior Lecturer Dr Uma Murthy, the webinar attracted nearly 80 participants from various countries. The audience comprised postgraduate students from UUM and Universitas Ciputra Indonesia, as well as academics, industry practitioners, and working professionals with a keen interest in the evolving future of work.
Moderated by Hirman Salim, the 90-minute session provided a timely and thought-provoking exploration of the profound transformations reshaping labour markets in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. Discussions centred on critical issues such as job displacement, emerging employment opportunities, future workforce competencies, skills mismatches, and Malaysia’s competitiveness within an increasingly digitised global economy.
The webinar featured two distinguished speakers whose organisations play pivotal roles in shaping Malaysia’s workforce and digital transformation agenda. Nursyazwani Zulhaimi from the Employment Insurance System (EIS), under PERKESO, shared valuable insights into workforce transitions, evolving employment trends, and the social economic implications of technological disruption. Meanwhile, Raja Segaran from the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) highlighted Malaysia’s digital economy trajectory, emerging AI adoption trends, and the future-ready skills required to thrive in a technology-driven landscape.
Throughout the session, participants responded enthusiastically to the practical perspectives and evidence-based insights shared by both speakers. Drawing upon real-world industry observations and national workforce developments, the presentations provided a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges presented by AI-driven transformation. The interactive Q&A session further enriched the discussion, generating meaningful exchanges on how organisations, institutions, and individuals can proactively adapt to the rapidly changing world of work.
Reflecting on the significance of the programme, Dr Uma Murthy underscored the importance of creating platforms that bridge academic discourse with contemporary industry realities.
“Programmes such as this are important in helping students and professionals understand the realities of today’s labour market while encouraging them to think critically about the future of work, leadership and lifelong learning in the AI era,” she said.
Beyond facilitating intellectual discourse, the webinar exemplified OYAGSB’s commitment to strengthening industry-academic collaboration and nurturing future leaders who are adaptable, forward-thinking, and globally competitive. As artificial intelligence continues to redefine industries and reshape employment paradigms, initiatives of this nature serve as vital avenues for cultivating informed perspectives, strategic foresight, and lifelong learning among future business leaders.
The successful organisation of the webinar further reinforces OYAGSB’s dedication to producing graduates who remain relevant, resilient, and well -equipped to contribute meaningfully to an increasingly complex and technology-driven global economy.
