Watch here
Originally published by Niaga Spotlight
Author: Batman
As Malaysia prepares to introduce a new pension system in 2024, Practice Professor of Finance Joseph Cherian highlights the need for the move, despite its potential unpopularity.
Watch here
Originally published by AWANI Tonight
Any mention of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree brings up two things: the return on investment (ROI) and the price tag to achieve it. These inevitably lead to the question: “Is an MBA worth it?”
For Michelle George Tan, “worth it” doesn’t even sum up what her MBA has given her.
Born and bred in Manila, Philippines, she grew up witnessing the benefits an MBA could bring: her father built a family business out of his MBA thesis – one that’s still running today.
This became a major source of inspiration. George knew that an MBA was in her future, but she didn’t know how valuable it would be.
The journey to earning an MBA
George’s MBA journey started not with an application to a business school, but by joining a competition.
She took part in a Malaysian bank’s “GO Ahead Challenge” which gathered 60 students from around the world in Kuala Lumpur to participate in business case challenges that even brought them to the shores of neighbouring Indonesia.
At that time, George was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of the Philippines.
Thanks to the challenge, George was offered a graduate position in Maybank Philippines. Soon after, she was invited to a training opportunity in Kuala Lumpur.
“That was the first time I went out of the country for anything work-related, and I went thinking it was only going to be six months,” says George.
She ended up winning a position in the Malaysian branch, where she would trade in the financial markets for nearly four years.
“But I didn’t see myself doing that for too long; I felt like something was missing,” says George. “Maybe it was the fulfilment aspect – I wanted to do something I felt was more meaningful, and an MBA was one pathway I found that could give me the answer.”
Having been in Kuala Lumpur for so long, George knew she wanted to pursue an MBA here. It was close to home, and there were plenty of opportunities to explore that wouldn’t break the bank.
An MBA often comes with a hefty price tag – the most prestigious MBAs, like one from Harvard Business School, cost US$149,820 for the 2022-23 academic year.
George didn’t have to worry about that though – she got into the Asia School of Business (ASB) with an 80% scholarship.
The school’s one-year, full-time MBA programme features a core curriculum taught by ASB and MIT Sloan faculty, complemented by Action Learning projects with organisations across Asia and beyond.
Students also spend four weeks of immersion in MIT Sloan’s Cambridge, Massachusetts campus.
“That made it really worth it,” says George.
“You get an MIT experience and knowledge by having their professors fly in, but you don’t pay for the same thing in MIT. During the immersion weeks, we would even get classes by highly sought-after MIT professors where even MIT students can’t sign up for those classes.”
Is an MBA worth it? That depends on the jobs you can get
Most of what makes an MBA intense are the many varied business case studies and experiential learning opportunities.
In George’s case, ASB offered Action Learning experiences that took her around the region.
Throughout her programme, she’s worked in a Malaysian financial technology start-up, an Indonesian philanthropic organisation, a Singaporean exchange, and a Malaysian venture capital.
And it’s not just experiences, knowledge, and a network of connections that George is walking away with too – she’s set for a position with her last Action Learning experience company once she’s completed her MBA.
“The programme actually helped me get something concrete out of it, partly because of what I’ve gone through,” says George.
Each of her Action Learning experiences has played a crucial role in equipping her with the skills necessary to take on her new role.
From learning to navigate the start-up scene and finance models to being exposed to sustainability funds, George can pinpoint exactly where she picked up the skills that landed her the position.
“The stars sort of aligned because of those Action Learning projects,” says George. “I was able to excel and ended up getting a job offer. So my MBA experience is really worth it.”
And that’s not counting George’s post-degree salary jump.
According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) Corporate Recruiters Survey 2021, the average starting salary for MBA holders was between 22% and 40% higher than for bachelor’s degree holders.
North American full-time MBA students received a 50% median compensation increase from pre-MBA to post-graduation: from US$80,000 to US$120,000.
Likewise, George is expecting the same jump too, but that’s not all she’s taking away from her MBA.
More than just professional development
At the start of her MBA journey, she was a competitive and “kiasu” person. “Kiasu” is a Hokkien Chinese word that translates to an extreme fear of losing.
“I felt like to progress in my career. I need to be the best. I need to be right,” says George.
Unlike other bachelor’s or master’s programmes, MBAs are primarily designed to emphasise group work and team effort.
As a programme catered towards those seeking to advance their careers in business and management, especially those hoping for leadership roles in various settings, the ability to lead and be part of a team is key throughout all MBA curricula.
“I remember that in my first year, I had a mindset of, ‘Oh my god, my teammates are slower than I wanted,” says George. “I pulled out my ‘kiasuness’, pushed everyone, and we achieved good results. But I felt distanced from my team; it did not feel right.”
“It is what made me realise that relationships are more important than being right and being fast. That’s actually the best thing I learned.”
It’s a bond that extends outside of formal learning environments too.
As much as many view the relationships formed during an MBA as transactional, those who’ve experienced it find genuine, lasting friendships.
For George, being able to stay in ASB’s on-campus accommodation means having more opportunities to be with the friends she’s made during the programme.
Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and within the national bank’s learning hub, ASB’s 65,000-square-metre facility makes it one of the largest academic facilities in the world.
Like George, students have the option to stay in a multi-block facility that houses up to 350 visiting and full-time students for easy access to the campus and the community.
“Staying here is part of the experience because you have all these water cooler conversations,” says George. From there, it’s turned into hangouts over the weekends and trips to India and Indonesia, all hosted by the friends in the programme.
A path of personal growth
George’s MBA journey may be coming to a close, but the lessons she’s gained are more than she’d expected when she first joined the programme.
Before the MBA, George didn’t know what she was looking for.
“When I was younger, it was just about finding a glamorous job,” she says.
“But being here and seeing my classmates who are into social impact and having done those Action Learning projects made me realise that I want to do something that gives me the same meaning and fulfilment from those experiences.”
Outside of all the perks for her career, George reflects that she’s grown and transformed as a person too.
“I feel more mature than when I started my MBA and I connect better with people now,” says George. “I have the confidence that I can survive anywhere you put me.”
“I know having a positive career outlook is important, but I feel like the more important thing is developing yourself first as a person because wherever you end up putting yourself, you will survive because you have that confidence. That, to me, is important.”
So, is an MBA worth it?
Looking at every aspect of her professional and personal journey, George’s answer is “yes.”
Read here
Originally published by Study International
SOVEREIGN wealth funds (SWFs) had a mixed financial year in 2023 (FY23) which saw the investment climate strained by geopolitical tensions, elevated inflation and higher interest rates, but also major enquiry benchmarks at fresh highs.
Read here
Originally published by The Star
Kuala Lumpur, 6 March 2024 – Asia Business School’s Professor Michael Frese, a leading figure in the field of entrepreneurship research, has been awarded the prestigious Global Entrepreneurship Award in Stockholm, Sweden. Established in 1996, the Award celebrates exceptional research that has profoundly shaped the field, and acknowledges Professor Frese’s ground-breaking research and significant contribution of psychology to entrepreneurship theory and to small business development as well as training research for entrepreneurship.
“I am absolutely delighted to accept the Award,” said Professor Frese. Professor Frese’s research delves into the psychological factors that drive entrepreneurial actions and success. He pointed out that his personal motivation for his life’s work stems from his desire to use entrepreneurship research as a powerful tool for poverty reduction. “As a psychologist I wanted to contribute to the economic growth of less-privileged countries. I envisioned empowering individuals through entrepreneurship to actively participate in their country’s economic development,” he explained.
“I am interested in entrepreneurial actions and how to improve them with high motivation and skills by nurturing their self-starting mindsets and future-oriented thinking; a mindset that enables them to develop opportunities, and to anticipate and handle problems, especially in challenging economic environments. I also aimed to increase the number of entrepreneurs in poorer countries to enhance the number of job providers” Professor Frese added.
The Prize Committee that selects recipients for the Award each year, recognized Professor Frese for the originality, impact, and lasting contribution of his research to entrepreneurship scholarship. The prize committee gave the award this year also to Professor Robert Baron.
Professor Ivo Zander, Chair of the Prize Committee explained, “Professor Frese’s research embodies the spirit of the Global Entrepreneurship Award. His dedication to advancing our understanding of entrepreneurship has not only enriched the field and inspired new generations of entrepreneurship researchers, but also empowered countless individuals and communities around the world.”
This prestigious award further solidifies Professor Frese’s standing as the most influential entrepreneurship researcher in Asia and Europe. He contributed nearly 200 peer-reviewed articles to scholarly journals (such as Science, Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Business Venturing, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice), about 200 book chapters, edited and wrote about 30 books and special issues. With over 78,000 citations (h-index=121) he is one of the most cited scholars in entrepreneurship and management worldwide, and his scientific influence counts among the top two percent of management scholars worldwide.
Professor Frese is an essential faculty member of Asia School of Business in Malaysia. His world-renowned entrepreneurship research is well aligned with ASB’s positioning as one of the top-tier business research centres helmed by forward-thinking faculty solving real world problems with its specialists in finance, central banking, fintech, pension funds and regional and global trade and supply chains. ASB also includes experts studying the region’s political economy, and its sustainability in agriculture and businesses.
END.
About Asia School of Business (ASB)
Challenge conventional thinking and create change beyond business. Established in 2015 by Bank Negara Malaysia in collaboration with MIT Sloan School of Management (MIT Sloan), Asia School of Business (ASB) is committed to developing transformative and principled leaders who will create a positive impact in the emerging world and beyond.
ASB offers postgraduate courses (including Asia’s only Master in Central Banking) as well as corporate programmes designed for busy professionals to upskill themselves with short, accelerated courses. Each course is self-contained and crafted to provide leaders with the essential knowledge, skills & tools to navigate in today’s complex world.
To learn more about the Asia School of Business, visit asb.edu.my.
+++
MEDIA CONTACT
This release is issued by Suppagood on behalf of Asia School of Business.
For media inquiries or interview opportunities, please contact:
Hasvinraj Selvarajan
Director, PR & Communications
Tel: +60 18 204-4694
E-mail: hasvinraj@suppagood.com
The world is getting older. With declining fertility rates, many countries in the world are faced with an ageing society and slowing population growth, and in some cases, shrinking demographics.
This trend, spurred by various factors such as lifestyle choices and education levels, is particularly prevalent in advanced as well as major economies in Asia.
Read full article
This article was originally published on The Star Malaysia
Overview
The Research Associate position is hosted by the Asia School of Business (ASB) at the Center for Sustainable Small-owners (CSS) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The RA will examine the upstream oil palm supply chain and work with existing qualitative and quantitative data collected from a multi-year project. The candidate will be primarily responsible for conducting analysis of existing data sets, assisting and taking leadership in writing manuscripts. The current position is for one years with an yearly renewal The candidate should be comfortable traveling locally within Malaysia.
An ideal candidate will have demonstrated research and leadership in supply chain sustainability. Additional responsibilities may include – meeting project sponsors, stakeholders and assisting research staff in all matters related to the project. Candidates are expected to support center activities when appropriate including presenting results and findings to various audiences. Good presentation skills are desirable.
Requirements:
An ideal candidate would have completed an MS or Masters in one of the fields such as Supply Chain, Sustainability, Industrial Ecology, Social Sciences, Agri-Business or a related discipline. Proficiency with English writing and communication with excellent technical writing skills are a must.
Candidate must have experience with research methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative data, knowledge of statistical softwares and analytics tools is a plus. Preference will be given to those with both methodological and practical work experience.
Interested applicants are urged to submit their resume, cover letter and any relevant additional documentation.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Understanding different CSS initiatives, their linkage and overlaps by managing deliverables, timelines, managing budget and common resources across
- On time delivery of quarterly milestones, deliverables and invoices for the program within the assigned and approved budget by sponsor
- Coordinate with CSS Initiative Manager(s) and report weekly on program status to the Director
- Developing and implementing strategy for the project team by understanding, highlighting and communicating risks and preparing mitigation plan
- Develop operational plans for the program that can be tweaked with time and changing customer expectations
- Responsible for developing, coordinating and preparing of the quarterly report and presentation
- Ensure CSS internal proposals and payment requests comply with the ASB’s procurement policy
- Responsible for CSS outreach, marketing activities and developing of marketing materials with the support of team
- Support digitalization and management of Information and Data for ongoing activities for various CSS initiatives
- Facilitate the design for a systematic collection and maintenance of all CSS data for operation and continuous improvement
- Interface with other CSS partners. Communicate, follow up and close CSS expectations in terms of any service and legal agreements including MoA, MoU, NDA etc.
- Identifying opportunities for project sponsorship and continuous improvement
- Coordinating and running events and workshops
Qualification & Skills:
Required
- Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree is a plus
- Overall more than 10 years of working experience with minimum 5 years of project management experience
- Experience using any software/tool for PM activities
- Experience with Data Management
- Exposure to IT and worked with Software Development Teams directly or indirectly
- Technical Writing for reports and papers to the board
- Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills in English. Similar skills in Bahasa Malaysia is an added plus.
- Any training in communication and planning otherwise relevant experience
Preferred
- Project Management Software and Tool
- Advance level of usage and data analysis using Excel
- Be able to write and run queries from Databases
- Working experience with NGOs, small farmers, or SMEs
- Conflict management and facilitating large and small group meetings
Specific Tasks
- Differing solutions requiring the identification of issues, the application of judgement and the selection of solutions within the area of expertise and acquired knowledge.
- Subject to broad practices & procedure covered by precedents or well-defined policies and managerial directions
Interested applicants are urged to submit their resume, cover letter and any relevant additional documentation.
Overview
This postdoc position is hosted by the Asia School of Business (ASB) at its Center for Sustainable Small-owners (CSS) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
This postdoc will examine the upstream oil palm supply chain and work with existing qualitative and quantitative data collected from a multi-year project. The candidate will be primarily responsible for conducting analysis of existing data sets, assisting and taking leadership in writing manuscripts. The current position is for two years with an yearly renewal and a possibility of extension beyond two years depending upon funding and performance. The candidate should be comfortable traveling locally within Malaysia.
An ideal candidate will have demonstrated research and leadership in supply chain sustainability. Additional responsibilities may include – meeting project sponsors, stakeholders and assisting research staff in all matters related to the project. Candidates are expected to support center activities when appropriate including presenting results and findings to various audiences. Good presentation skills are desirable.
Requirements:
An ideal candidate may have a PhD in a Supply Chain, Sustainability, Industrial Ecology, Social Sciences, Agri-Business or a related discipline. Proficiency with English writing and communication with excellent technical writing skills are a must. Experience with field work and engaging with industry and producers is preferred.
In-depth knowledge of at least one of the following research areas is required
- food and agri-supply chains
- supply chain sustainability
- value chain analysis
- commodity supply chains
Candidate must have published (or have a strong pipeline) in journals related to sustainability, supply chain and operations management, logistics or a related disciple such as above; have experience with research methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative data, knowledge of statistical softwares and analytics tools is preferred. Preference will be given to those with both methodological and practical work experience.
Interested applicants are urged to submit their resume, cover letter and any relevant additional documentation.
Overview
April 9, 2015 marked the birth of Asia School of Business (ASB), with the collaboration between Bank Negara Malaysia and MIT Sloan School of Management (MIT Sloan). ASB was founded in response to the need for qualified, industry-ready talents to fill the needs of the exponential growth and opportunities of Asia. Transformative and principled, the people of ASB embody and embrace the mission of the School. Though culturally diverse, we share the vision to build a global knowledge and learning center.
The people of ASB are a community of curious, adaptive, and collaborative go-getters driven to contribute to a better future and advancing the emerging world. Center for Sustainable Small-owners (CSS) is part of ASB with its mission to safeguard the interest of the independent small growers and improve their livelihood while ensuring ethical and responsible sourcing for oil palm with commitments to No deforestation, no new plantation on peatlands, and no exploitation in the supply chain, also known as the NDPE policy.
CSS was established in 2019 to deliver the P&G Smallholders program. CSS is a program by P&G for its Ambition 2030 initiative with a commitment to improving the livelihoods of palm smallholders by increasing their yields from existing lands through the training and implementation of best-in-class, good agricultural practices and to achieve more sustainable future within the P&G palm supply chain in Johor, Malaysia.
In addition to that, through traceability and verification of its Oil Palm fruit (FFB) and implementation of RSPO’s Independent Smallholder Certification Standard (RISS) for its Independent Smallholders, P&G aims for a robust compliance of its responsible sourcing policy. These principles and goals form the basis of the P&G Smallholder program.
As a multi-stakeholder program, CSS runs various sustainability initiatives such as:
- Certification and Verification through MSPO, RSPO and Sustainability Scorecard
- Scaling GAPs (Good Agricultural Practices) through Diffusion
- Establishing Tractability and Credence through the Oil Palm Supply Chain
- Sustainability Reporting through Oil Palm for an MNC
- Upstream Logistics Optimization
- Supply Chain Finance
- Digitization &
- Recycling and Waste Management
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Data Management: Understand CSS operational and tactical (day to day to next quarter) needs for all ongoing activities for all initiatives across CSS. Align to achieve CSS Strategic Targets for December 2023 and beyond
- Data Collection and Metrics: Design and own the processes for systematic and periodical collection of data with CSS and report metrics
- Data processing and sharing (Internal): Design protocols and process for ownership, processing and sharing of data as reports or otherwise across and within CSS
- Data Sharing (External): Interface with CSS partners, understand external partner requests for Data and collect from within CSS and share appropriately outside CSS
- Communicate and follow up effectively and clearly, internally within CSS and outside with CSS stakeholders on all Data related needs
- Keep content for CSS website continuously updated working with the Program Manager
- Support CSS Managers for Quarterly reports and Metrics
- Support Research Officer on data provision for writings and publications
- Be able to support UAT and support BRD documentation
Qualification & Skills:
Required
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Experience with Data Management
- Exposure to IT and worked with Software Development Teams directly or indirectly
- Data analysis using Excel (advanced level)
Preferred
- Experience with software for Data and Project management tools
- Be able to write and run queries from Databases
- Experience in GIS & mapping is a plus