Further accelerate UUM research and innovation agenda with the establishment of School Centres of Excellence (S-CoE).
Over the last few years, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of research and publications. Combine with an increase in other factors/areas, our ranking has also increased quite significantly (standing at 137 in 2015 QS Asia). While we should be proud of our achievements, there are areas that we are still struggling. Our citation index is still low which reflects the quality of our publications and probably the quality of our research too. Yes scopus is one indicator of quality and we are getting better with that. However if we look deeper, even scopus has its own rank of journals. Currently ours are skewed toward the lower end (Q3 & Q4). To increase the citation, we need more papers published in higher ranked journals (Q1 & Q2). To do that, we need more quality research. We also struggle with consultations and executive trainings. These two are actually related to research.
Having said that, the quality of research is probably the most important variable due to its multiplier effect. Other than creating greater chances for publications in high-ranked journals, it can also boost the quality of teaching and learning where lecturers share the latest findings of their research. This is particularly true for PG programmes. Majority of our MBA and DBA students are holding senior positions in government agencies, GLCs and MNCs. If we can bring change to them, it will open up opportunities for our consultations and EDP services and the experience gained will generate better proposals and research outputs. The learning curve is a continuous process that will benefit all stakeholders.
One big question that we all need to ponder, how significant is our research? Have they changed the way people work, behave and live? Or they just sit in the shelves in our library or remain uncited or unreferred to? So if we can produce relevant research (in addition to being rigorous), share the findings and shout it right to our stakeholders, (university
> government, industry, community: quadraple helix) I believe they will come to us to seek help which currently do not happen often.
Where are we standing compared to top univervities in the region? In terms of research NUS are ahead of us. So what makes them good?
NUS experience: industrial driven and future driven - focus + teamwork + inter/multi disciplinary --> upstream/long term/disruptive research with high impact --> translate into economic, health and societal advancement
Malaysia NEM > high quality income economy - based on: technology - productivity - innovation - creativity - we also want to be part of the initiative and contribute via high quality upstream research.
So, that is the main task of CoE - undertake impactful research and thus create our niche and branding as the eminent management university. This will solve the question of what we are good at. A question often asked by our stakeholders.
How can we achieve that? Via CoE, among others. We now have 22 new S-CoEs and 31 Research Units (RUs) in addition to 6 existing U-CoEs.
To lead the CoEs we need a visionary and passionate people;
- Bring the best people on board (internal and external);
- Collaborate with industry and renowned academic partners/institutions; and
- Focus and do your job well until you are really good at it and become a reference centre.
ARIBF for example, can focus on company analyses and valuations. Start with our local companies and later expand it to companies in the region.
The same goes to ARIC. A dedicated team comprising people from various disciplines such as business, accounting, pyschology and law may produce a wonderful proposal addressing issues from a holistic approach.
I believe we all have the potentials. The real challenge now is how to unleash them. Thus, we need to boost our confidence by doing the right thing.
"If you don't do good research, don't do it at all"
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