Universiti Malaya – Wales

Apply Now!Connect With Us

Research and innovation are well established within IUMW, with the academic teams across each of our faculties active within their own fields, be it Business, Science & Technology, or Arts & Social Sciences. Each faculty has its own speciality areas of research, which ensures ample coverage of research opportunities.

Supporting Student-Led Research

The brightest ideas often come from fresh viewpoints; which is why the postgraduate students at IUMW are valued members of the research teams. Postgraduate students at IUMW are rewarded with intellectually stimulating programmes and the chance to add to the body of knowledge in their subject area and publish their research results. To produce comprehensive graduates, academically and professionally, IUMW places a strong emphasis on the importance of student conducted research in order to fulfill their innovative intuition. Our Students’ final thesis continues to be a source of tremendous pride for many years after their studies are complete.

We encourage research activities including conference participation, journal publications, and research collaborations related to the students’ particular area of interest. Research students are provided with full support by the academic team to produce original articles including reviews and appraisal of literature, empirical studies, conceptual studies, quantitative and qualitative contributions to become experts in their own right. Our research activities are all about feeding students’ curiosity and motivating them to contribute to the academic and professional industries’ body of knowledge.

Research Highlights

Role of Sales Representative’s Cultural Intelligence in Enhancing Customer Satisfaction among the Tenants and Property Buyers in Malaysia.

Hassan, Z., Basit, A & Sethumadavan, S (2020).
International Journal of Business Marketing and Management, 5(7), 37-56.

The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of real estate sales representative’s cultural intelligence on customer satisfaction in Malaysia. A sample size of 535 respondents as customers who have experienced interacting real estate sales representatives was used to collect the relevant data through the convenience sampling method and analyzed using SPSS 21 and AMOS 22 software. The results show that meta-cognitive and cognitive cultural intelligence has no significant impact on customer satisfaction, meanwhile motivational and behavioral cultural intelligence has a significant and positive impact on customer satisfaction. Therefore, it was concluded that enhancing the cultural intelligence of sales representatives will increase customer satisfaction among the property buyers and tenants. This study will be useful for the real estate industry and human resource managers to emphasize on selecting employees as sales representatives with high cultural intelligence and connection with the property buyers. Industry players will be able to use this study to design and plan on which aspects of cultural intelligence should be incorporated into their training strategies and policies. Relevant authorities will be able to use this study to formulate relevant human resource development strategies and policies in the real estate and property development sector.

Effect of Cultural Intelligence and Learning Style on Leadership Effectiveness: Conceptual Analysis.

Basit, A, Sethumadavan, S & Hassan , Z (2020).
The International Journal of Business Management, 8(6), 179-185.DOI No.: 10.24940/theijbm/2020/v8/i6/BM2006-048

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of Cultural Intelligence and Learning Style on Leadership Effectiveness among the leaders, particularly in the banking sector. This study has proposed cultural intelligence and Learning Style as independent variables in this study. Leadership Effectiveness is the dependent variable. The study has reviewed various scholarly articles to examine the effect of cultural intelligence and learning style on leadership effectiveness. All the articles reviewed in this paper are empirical and conceptual papers designed to collect quantitative data. Therefore, this conceptual paper intends to conduct research among the bank leaders in Klang Valley in Malaysia. Based on the available literature it was found that cultural intelligence has a mixed result on leadership effectiveness. However, the majority of past research reported that cultural intelligence has a positive and significant effect on leadership effectiveness. From the review, it was also found that there is a lack of studies examining learning style effects on leadership effectiveness particularly in the Banking Sector. This study will contribute by establishing the link between cultural intelligence, learning style, and leadership effectiveness simultaneously.

Challenges and Barriers Faced by Women in Management Positions in Malaysia.

Basit, A., & Hassan, Z. (2020).
Indonesian Journal of Contemporary Management Research, 2(1).

This study sought to examine the challenges and barriers affecting the career progression of women in management positions in Malaysia. Although there has been a steady progression of women entering the corporate world, they remain under-represented in top management positions. The target population was female and male managers in the business district of Kuala Lumpur. This study adopted a descriptive and explanatory research design and primary data was collected through the use of a structured questionnaire. A total of 125 female managers and 125 male managers constituted the sample of respondents. SPSS Software was used to perform data analysis and the descriptive statistics were presented using mean, frequencies and standard deviation. Correlation and regression analysis were performed to test the strength of association and relationship between the variables. The analysis results concluded that all the 5 independent variables comprising education, family, glass ceiling, career development and training and gender stereotype have positive and significant impact on women managers’ career progression.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.33455/ijcmr.v2i1.113

Entrepreneurial Success: Key Challenges Faced by Malaysian Women Entrepreneurs in 21st Century.

Basit, A., Sze Wong, Hassan, Z, & Sethumadhavan, S. (2020).
International Journal of Business and Management, 15(9). 12-138.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs on entrepreneurial success in Malaysia. This study proposes a conceptual framework and investigates the significant factors of family and social support, emotional intelligence, gender stereotype, and knowledge and risk-taking behavior in predicting women entrepreneurial success. Data was collected using a questionnaire with a Likert scale from 1-5 from a sample of 125 women entrepreneurs who owned Small-Medium-Enterprises (SME) in Malaysia using a convenient sampling technique. Collected data was analysed using structural equation modeling (SEM) via AMOS 22 software. The result indicated that “knowledge” has a significant negative impact on women entrepreneurial success, while all the other challenges identified in the previous research such as lack of emotional intelligence, lack of family support, poor risk taking behaviour, gender stereotype were not significant in influencing women entrepreneurial success. Family and social support, and risk-taking behaviour were found to contradict with other previous research indicating that women entrepreneurs are becoming more independent due to the changing norms and cultural values. In conclusion, women entrepreneurial success largely depends on the work experiences, relevant skills/competencies and industrial know-how they acquired and mastered to effectively manage and grow their businesses.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v15n9p122

Impact of Environmental Reporting on Financial Performance: Study of Global Fortune 500 Companies.

Zamil, G. S., & Hassan, Z. (2019).
Indonesian Journal of Sustainability Accounting and Management, 3(2), 109-118.

This study examines the impact of environmental reporting on the financial performance of Fortune 500 firms from 2013 to 2017. It appraises financial performance by measuring three independent variables: reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, reduction in waste, and reduction in water consumption. While the target population comprised the top 100 CSR-reputed companies listed on Fortune 500, the sample size was determined to be 50 based on observations of 250 companies. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. Findings indicated that reduction in nominated variables such as greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption had a positive and significant impact on financial performance, whereas that in another variable, i.e., waste, had a negative and significant impact on financial performance. Thereby, this study recommends that firms should adopt environment-friendly resources to attract stakeholders as well as save the planet. It also suggests that firms need to accord dedicated focus to environmental reporting to improve profitability.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.28992/ijsam.v3i2.78

The Millennials–Comparative Analysis of Factors Affecting Working Behavior of Generations Y and X in Malaysia.

Chow, E., & Hassan, Z. (2019).
Indonesian Journal of Contemporary Management Research, 1(1), 35-46.

The purpose for this study is to examine factors influencing working behaviour of Generation Y in Malaysia. A mixed approach of casual and descriptive research designs were adopted in this study. An effective sample of 202 respondents from generation Y were recruited to participate in this research. To confirm the working behaviour of generation Y, 205 respondents from generation X were also recruited. A paired sample test shows that there is a positive and significant difference in terms of mindset and beliefs, values, motivation and technology use among generation Y and X workers. The result of multiple regression analysis shows that values, motivation and technology have a positive and significant influence on generation Y’s working behaviour except the mindset and beliefs. For future studies, it is important to include larger samples for the Kuala Lumpur demographic area or other states of Malaysia, or even across the whole of Malaysia. Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.33455/ijcmr.v1i1.85

Art Education for Sustainable Development (AESD)

Nurul Nisa Omar
Faculty of Communication, Arts & Media, International University of Malaya-Wales

Art education for sustainable development is a rather new field of research. The most common understanding when one discussed sustainability is usually related to the environment, economy, and social issues. Nevertheless, art education is a transformative pedagogy of educational practices whereby learners are being taught through creativity, consciousness, and liberation (Illeris, 2012). For example, the process in producing design work will require learners to actively participate, investigate, and conduct multiple experiments in which their gained skills will then turn into long-lasting knowledge (Cadarso, 2015). Even though art educators can recognise the value in learning arts, it is also important to measure the impact to understand how art lessons can contribute to learners’ characteristics and personal development (Cerkez, T & Gabriela, B, 2013). This is in parallel with the effort to ensure sustainability in art and art education can be a contributing factor to students’ livelihood.

The Development of an E-Assessment Prototype for Communication Lecturers Using Three Levels of Digital Literacy

Nurul Nisa Omar
Faculty of Communication, Arts & Media, International University of Malaya-Wales
 
Yi Jun Phung²
KDU University College

This paper looks at the development of an e-assessment prototype as part of the digital transformation for the usual assessment practices among communication lecturers. This prototype is an innovative educational technology that was created for the easy evaluation of student assignments. The e-assessment prototype was developed based on the three levels of digital literacy of communication lecturers. The first level measured the lecturers’ digital competency by assessing their Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) through sets of questionnaires. The second level determined the features and requirements of the e-assessment through focus group discussions among lecturers. Finally, in the third level, an e-assessment prototype that meets the features and requirements identified was created. The sample of respondents who participated in this study were lecturers from the School of Communication and Creative Arts in KDU University College, Malaysia. This paper documents how the findings Of the three levels of digital literacy were used as the foundation for developing an e-assessment prototype called Operational Metric Assessment and Rubrics (OMAR). This e- assessment prototype, consisting of features and requirements as determined by the sampled lecturers, is useful in evaluating and assessing student work.

Sustainability in Art Education

Nurul Nisa Omar
Faculty of Communication, Arts & Media, International University of Malaya-Wales

Through the process of visual analysis of an artwork called ‘Hidden’, this research article explores the relevance of art and design projects for the development of AESD – Art Education for Sustainable Development. ‘Hidden’ is the name of one of the paintings produced in an art project by the Faculty of Communication, Arts and Media at the International University of Malaya-Wales, Malaysia. The concept of the project is for lecturers and students to produce artwork that revolves around the message of sustainability and 90% of the artwork must use recycled waste materials. The visual analysis of ‘Hidden’ covers five aspects of visual elements which are composition, focal point, colour, form, and symbolic value. It was found that there are multiple deepening sustainability messages within the artwork through the analysis of the actual meaning of the image, the estimate changes in meaning over time, and the student’s reflection and reaction. The main questions addressed by this article are: What are the complex ‘pool’ of sustainability messages generated through a single image? How producing art can stimulate students’ consciousness on the importance of sustainable living? In conclusion, this article proposes that AESD is a positive and useful approach for students to embrace the sustainability culture.

Review of High Relative Humidity in a Catheter Laboratory of a Private Hospital and a Low Energy Consuming Solution

Jaya Prathab T. Arumugam a,*, Kamran Shavarebi b
b Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts & Science, IUMW
Published on 01 March 2021

Abstract: The Relative Humidity in a Catheter Laboratory is desirous to be controlled within a range of 30 to 65% RH. A maximum Relative Humidity (RH) fluctuation of up to 70% is tolerated. A case study is presented whereby a high RH of up to 80% RH has been recorded in the examination room of a Catheter Laboratory (CathLab) in a local Hospital. The conditioned air to the CathLab is supplied through an existing dedicated Chilled Water Air Handling Unit. Two (2) solutions were considered and the technical and commercial comparisons carried out. The first option is an inline dehumidifier system and the second option is to install a portable standalone dehumidifier inside the CathLab examination room. Solutions to address the high Relative Humidity have to be carefully considered as the introduction of in-line dehumidifiers contribute to higher energy consumption. The latter was selected based on commercial reasons. Three (3) weeks of RH monitoring via the building’s Integrated Building Management System (IBMS) was carried out. The readings measured show a drastic reduction in RH to a mean of about 60% RH which meets the end user’s requirement. The cost for the second option was also found to be much lower at about 10% of the first option.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.34256/irjmt2122

Metal Nanoparticles in TiO2-SiO2 Composite as an Efficient Solar-Activated Photocatalyst: A Review Pape

Collin G. Joseph1,2,3*, Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap4,5,3, Baba Musta2, Mohd Sani Sarjadi 3 and L. Elilarasi 1,6
Published on 29 January 2021

Over the last decade, interest in the utilisation of solar energy for photocatalysis treatment processes has taken centre-stage. Researchers had focused on doping TiO2 with SiO2 to obtain an efficient degradation rate of various types of target pollutants both under UV and visible-light irradiation. In order to further improve this degradation effect, some researchers resorted to incorporate plasmonic metal nanoparticles such as silver and gold into the combined TiO2-SiO2 to fully optimise the TiO2-SiO2’s potential in the visible light region. This article focuses on the challenges in utilising TiO2 in the visible-light region, the contribution of SiO2 in enhancing photocatalytic activities of the TiO2-SiO2 photocatalyst, and the ability of plasmonic metal nanoparticles (Ag and Au) to edge the TiO2-SiO2 photocatalyst toward an efficient solar photocatalyst.

Competency Development and Management in Malaysian Railway Traffic Management System

Ts. Shanmuga Sundaram, Dr Kamran Shavarebi
Published on 25 December 2020

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a systematic approach to develop and manage the competencies of employees in the field of Traffic Management Systems (TMS) in the Malaysian railway industry. The outcome of this research shall conclude a framework for competence management and define a benchmark for practices in this industry. Previous studies in competency management in the field of TMS are mainly limited to the non-Malaysian railway industry and other types of railway networks. This descriptive quantitative research study uses suitable competency models to explore the competence of TMS employees. Following this, suitable techniques and learning methods are proposed for Malaysian railway TMS operation employees. This whole process is summarised as a competence management framework.

Capturing and reusing knowledge: analysing the what, how and why for construction planning and control

Jeffrey Boon Hui Yap, Kamran ShavarebI & Martin Skitmore
Published on 08 Jun 2020

Learning from project experience is still lacking in the area of construction planning and control. A significant challenge is in deciding precisely ‘what’ engenders learning and ‘how’ knowledge can be reused. This study appraises critical learning situations (CLS) and the types of project knowledge to be reused to sustainably build capacity and improve the performance of construction projects. Given the underexplored area of study, an exploratory sequential mixed-method research approach was adopted. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts and local practitioners to gain an in-depth insight into CLS and reusable project knowledge (RPK) pertinent to construction projects. Further, questionnaire survey responses from 338 construction practitioners in Malaysia were analysed. The findings reveal that construction time and cost control make a significant positive impact when past project experiences enhance expert judgements and stimulate knowledge reuse on future projects. Thus, the effective and efficient management of project knowledge should be optimised and considered of strategic value, giving rise to improved competency and sustainability within the construction industry.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2020.1774676

Metal to semiconductor transition of two-dimensional NbSe2 through hydrogen adsorption: A first-principles study

K. H. Yeoh1, K. H. Chew, T. L. Yoon, Rusi, Y. H. R. Chang, and D. S. Ong.
Published on August 2020 in ISI journal (Tier 2/Q2 ISI)

This paper explores the possibility of controlling the magnetism in a defective two-dimensional (2D). Based on density functional theory, we have investigated the effects of in-plane biaxial strain on the electronic and magnetic properties of the two-dimensional GaN (2D GaN) with Ga- (VGa) or N-vacancy (VN). We considered two different levels of vacancy concentration, i.e., θ=1/62 and θ=1/34. While the pristine GaN 2D structures are intrinsically semiconducting, the 2D GaN with VGa defects under tensile/compressive biaxial strains is metallic, except at a high compressive strain of 6%. In addition, the 2D GaN exhibits a strain-tunable magnetic property by introducing the VGa defects, where the magnetic moment can be modulated by applying a biaxial strain on the material. A compressive strain larger than 2% tends to suppress the magnetic effect. A drastic reduction of the total magnetization from 2.21 μB to 0.16 μB is clearly visible for a lower VGa concentration of θ=1/62. On the other hand, the 2D GaN with VN defects is nonmagnetic, and this behaviour is not affected by the biaxial strain.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5132417

Strain-tunable electronic and magnetic properties of two-dimensional gallium nitride with vacancy defects

K. H. Yeoh1, K. H. Chew, T. L. Yoon, Rusi and D. S. Ong.
Published on January 2020 in ISI journal Tier 2 (Journal of applied physics)

This paper explores the possibility of controlling the magnetism in a defective two-dimensional (2D). Based on density functional theory, we have investigated the effects of in-plane biaxial strain on the electronic and magnetic properties of the two-dimensional GaN (2D GaN) with Ga- (VGa) or N-vacancy (VN). We considered two different levels of vacancy concentration, i.e., θ=1/62 and θ=1/34. While the pristine GaN 2D structures are intrinsically semiconducting, the 2D GaN with VGa defects under tensile/compressive biaxial strains is metallic, except at a high compressive strain of 6%. In addition, the 2D GaN exhibits a strain-tunable magnetic property by introducing the VGa defects, where the magnetic moment can be modulated by applying a biaxial strain on the material. A compressive strain larger than 2% tends to suppress the magnetic effect. A drastic reduction of the total magnetization from 2.21 μB to 0.16 μB is clearly visible for a lower VGa concentration of θ=1/62. On the other hand, the 2D GaN with VN defects is nonmagnetic, and this behaviour is not affected by the biaxial strain.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5132417

Fabrication of polyaniline nanorods on electro-etched carbon cloth and its electrochemical activities as electrode materials

Razali, S.A., Rusi & Majid, S.R
Published on Jan 2019 in ISI Journal, Tier 2 (Journal of applied physics)

We synthesized electrode materials for Supercapacitor devices. Supercapacitors have been widely used in many electronic applications such as phones, laptops, electric vehicles, etc. However, Supercapacitors have storage capacity and stability problems. The improvement of the new electrode materials for supercapacitors are in need and have attracted many researchers to focus on improving its weaknesses. In this research paper, Polyaniline (PANI) nanorods shown a good performance as electrode materials for supercapacitor. Polyaniline (PANI) nanorods were deposited on electro-etched carbon cloth (EC) by a facile electrodeposition method with the existence of purified aniline and sulfuric acid. Various deposition potentials were applied to achieve a good electrochemical performance of EC-PANI electrode. The optimized PANI nanorods electrode exhibited an excellent specific capacitance of 357.14 Fg−1 with an energy density of 40.18 Wh kg−1 and a power density of 1.28 Wkg−1 at a current density of 0.5 Ag−1 in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte. A symmetrical cell of P1.4//PVA + 0.5 M H2SO4//P1.4 has recorded a good cycling stability with 95 and 88% capacitance retention at current densities of 200 and 300 mAg−1. EC-PANI electrode can be used as a scalable solution for high-performance energy storage devices.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-018-2809-7

Morphology-controlled PANI nanowire electrode by using deposition scan rate in H2SO4/PVA polymer electrolyte for electrochemical capacitor

Rusi, Sim, C.K & Majid, S.R
Published on Jan 2017 in ISI Tier 2 Journal (Ionics)

Polyaniline (PANI) nanowire electrode was successfully prepared using the electrodeposition method. The morphology, thickness, and electrochemical performance of the PANI electrode can be controlled by varying the deposition scan rates. Lower deposition scan rate results in compact and aggregates of PANI nanowire morphology. The uniform nanowire of PANI was obtained at the applied scan rate of 100 mV s−1, and it was used as a symmetric electrode coupled with H2SO4/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) gel electrolyte. The different concentrations of H2SO4 acid in polymer electrolyte have influenced the electrochemical performance as well. The optimum specific capacitance and energy density of P100 PANI electrode in 3 M H2SO4/PVA gel polymer electrolyte was 377 F g−1 and 95.4 Wh kg−1 at the scan rate of 1 mV s−1. The good stability of the electrode in this system is applicable to many wearable electronics applications.
Full paper access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-018-2809-7