Proudly Showcasing Our Experts!

These newly launched books are more than just academic resources — from of our very own lecturers at UMPSA Graduate Business School. 

As local teaching case writers, they bring deep insights into real-world business challenges, especially in the fields of Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Project Management (MPM).

Their writing reflects the kind of quality, industry-relevant education we offer — blending engineering, technology, and business excellence.

Want to learn from the best? Join our Graduate Engineering and Technological Business School and be mentored by thought leaders shaping both industry and academia.

• Grab your copies now at UMPSA Publisher Bookstore or on Shopee: https://my.shp.ee/uWRDUxK

A podcast with the academic associates of GET-BS – AP Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi, AP Dr. Cheng Jack Kie and AP Dr. Puteri Fadzline Muhamad Tamyez – was held on 15 July 2025 (Tuesday) from 3:00–4:00 PM.

The episode featured the book PhD: The Amazing Journey and was streamed live on FB Penerbit UMPSA: https://www.facebook.com/penerbit.universitimalaysiapahang/.

It was a session filled with inspiration and the real-life realities of the research world. Whether participants were just starting, midway, or feeling close to giving up, the podcast offered a motivational boost to keep pursuing their journey.

10 June 2025 | Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Through the UMPSA25 Strategic Plan, internationalization is one of the strategic objectives to enhance the academic quality of the university and to increase the number of postgraduate students. As part of a proactive approach, bilateral cooperation between UMPSA and international institutions is crucial to support the promotion of postgraduate programs (coursework and research mode), as well as the promotion of credit mobility and remote PhD program.

The GET-BS team, led by Dr Mohd Hanafiah Ahmad and his team, Associate Professor Dr Lee Chia Kuang, Dr Noraina Mazuin Sapuan and Dr Khairunnisa Abd Aziz. The team took this opportunity to establish collaborative ties with several leading universities in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Cooperation between GET-BS and six universities in Padang has the potential to expand into areas such as postgraduate student recruitment, joint publications, research collaboration, and faculty as well as student exchanges.

This visit is expected to open up broader collaborative opportunities between GET-BS, FIM, and UMPSA and universities in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Through this initiative, GET-BS aims to elevate UMPSA’s standing in the World University Rankings by increasing postgraduate enrolment and research output. During the visit, the  delegation met and engaged with six universities in the city of Padang, the largest city in West Sumatra, Indonesia. 

Day 1 (Monday – 10 June 2024)

1. Universitas Andalas (8.00 AM – 1.00 PM)

The UMPSA delegation was welcomed by Dr. Endrizal Ridwan, S.E., M.Ec., Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Andalas, together with Dr. Ma’ruf, SE, M.Bus, M.Phil., Deputy Dean and Head of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Studies. Currently, UMPSA and Universitas Andalas have an active MoU (October 2023 – October 2028). Various collaborative opportunities were discussed, including research grants, mobility programs, Mini MBA, and other initiatives beneficial to both institutions. Discussions concluded at 12.30 PM.

2. Universitas Islam Negeri Imam Bonjol (2.00 PM – 5.00 PM)

The delegation was welcomed at the Faculty of Economics and Islamic Business by Dr. Davy Hendri, SE, M.Si. (Vice Dean for Student Affairs and Collaboration) and Dr. Rozalinda, M.Ag. (Vice Dean for Academic and Institutional Affairs). Multiple collaboration agendas were discussed to strengthen bilateral ties.

Day 2 (Tuesday – 11 June 2024)

3. Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP) (8.00 AM – 1.00 PM)

The delegation was welcomed by Prof. Perengki Susanto, SE, M.Sc, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business, UNP, along with Dr. Abror (Deputy Dean), Tri Kurniawati (Head of Economics Education Dept.), Rita Syofyan (Lecturer), and Rani Soflra (Secretary of Department). UMPSA has an MoU with UNP (October 2023 – October 2028). The visit explored collaboration in research grants, mobility, Mini MBA, and other areas. The meeting concluded at 1.00 PM.

4. Universitas Bung Hatta (2.00 PM – 5.00 PM)

The delegation was received by Temmy Thamrin, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D. (Head of Cooperation), Dr. Erni Febrina Harahap, SE., M.Si. (Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business), Dr. Reni Yuliviona, SE., M.M. (Postgraduate Program Head in Management), along with other faculty members. The discussion centered on strengthening academic and research partnerships.

Day 3 (Wednesday – 12 June 2024)

5. Universitas Putra Indonesia (8.00 AM – 1.00 PM)

The UMPSA delegation was welcomed by Prof. Dr. H. Sarjon Defit, S.Kom, M.Sc. (Rector), Dr. Jhon Veri, S.Kom, MM, M.Kom. (Vice Rector IV), along with faculty deans, deputy deans, and heads of programs. UMPSA currently holds an MoU with Universitas Putra Indonesia (October 2023 – October 2028). Discussions explored joint research, mobility, Mini MBA, and other initiatives to strengthen higher education quality.

6. Universitas Baiturrahmah (2.00 PM – 5.00 PM)

The delegation were welcomed by Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Ir. Syafrimen Yasin, M.S, M.Sc. (Vice Rector I), Dr. drg. Yulia Rahmad, M.Kes. (Head of Public Relations and Collaboration Bureau), and program heads. Both universities discussed opportunities for impactful collaboration.

7. Universitas Fort De Kock Bukittinggi (8.00 PM – 10.00 PM)

At the request of Universitas Fort De Kock, the delegation held a late evening meeting led by Dr. Evi Hasnita, Rector. The discussion focused on potential cooperation in teaching and research.

UMPSA currently has three active MoUs with Universitas Andalas, Universitas Negeri Padang (UNP), and Universitas Putra Indonesia, while four other universities also demonstrated strong potential for formal agreements. The identified areas of collaboration include mobility programs for undergraduate and postgraduate students, joint research and publications with matching grants, visiting professorships, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, journal publication workshops, joint seminars and conferences, Mini MBA programs, as well as knowledge-sharing through Global Classroom initiatives.

26 - 27 May 2025 | Tokyo, Japan
 

The meeting was held at the United Nations University in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology, Japan, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The meeting was officiated by the President and CEO, Professor Emeritus Dr. Fumio Itoh.

During the annual meeting, presentations were made on accreditation activities conducted throughout 2024, the conferment of ABEST21 recognition in March 2025, and the presentation of financial and performance reports, all of which were approved by the members.

In addition, several key activities took place, namely:

i) ABEST21 Accreditation Award Ceremony – March 2025

• A total of 8 universities and business schools were awarded ABEST21 International Accreditation in March 2025.

ii) KAIZEN Award Ceremony – March 2025

• 1 university and business school was awarded the ABEST21 KAIZEN Award in March 2025.

In July 2025, ABEST21 International celebrated the 20th anniversary of its founding. The international symposium carried the theme “Nurturing Human Resources and Developing Competitive Education Programs in the Global South.” It was officially opened and launched by Professor Emeritus Dr. Fumio Itoh, President and CEO of ABEST21 International.

Throughout the symposium, several knowledge-sharing activities were conducted, including:

i) Keynote Speeches

• The first keynote session was delivered by Prof. Dr. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University under the Secretary-General of the United Nations. He highlighted the achievements of the university in improving the quality of life for alumni and students from developing countries, such as those in Ghana, Africa, through access to education.

• The second keynote session was presented by Mr. Ueda Daisuke, Deputy Director General and Group Director for Higher Education and Social Security Group, Human Development Department, JICA. He shared Japan’s vision and initiatives to expand higher education in African countries, particularly Ghana, given the promising prospects for Japanese higher education institutions to grow there due to the large population and improving economic outlook.

• The third keynote session, presented as a case study, was delivered by Prof. Dr. Remy Magnier-Watanabe from the Graduate School of Business Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan. He discussed the operations of the Business School and the educational programs offered by the University of Tsukuba in Malaysia through UTM in collaboration with the University of Malaya.

ii) Forum Discussion Session

Seven universities and business schools shared their experiences in successfully managing business schools. The session was coordinated by Associate Professor Teguh Dartanto, Ph.D., ABEST21 International Vice President and Dean, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia.

Panelists included:

1. Lecturer Ainur Rofiq, Ph.D., Vice Dean, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia

2. Associate Professor Hirose Yuta, Ph.D., Graduate School of International Management, Aoyama Gakuin University, Japan

3. Professor Dr. Norzanah Mat Nor, Dean, Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia

4. Professor Dr. Hj. Nunuy Nur Afiah, Dean, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia

5. Professor Takehara Hitoshi, Ph.D., Graduate School of Business and Finance, Waseda University, Japan

6. Professor Dr. Zafir Khan bin Mohamed Makhbul, Dean, Graduate School of Business, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia

iii) Potential Collaborations with ABEST21 Member Universities

Through the ABEST21 International AGM and International Symposium, several universities were identified as having potential for collaboration with UMPSA in areas such as global classrooms, faculty exchange, mobility programs, and joint research projects. These include the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Indonesia (Indonesia); Aoyama Gakuin University (Japan); Graduate School of Business Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba (Japan); and Graduate School of Business and Finance, Waseda University (Japan).

The closing ceremony of the International Symposium was delivered by Professor Dr. Ali Khatibi, ABEST21 International Vice President and Senior Vice President, Management & Science University (MSU), Malaysia.

The sharing of best practices from various universities has helped the faculty in planning new academic and research initiatives to strengthen the implementation of the MBA program. This will also directly support the preparation of the Quality Improvement Strategies (QIS) Report, which is scheduled for submission in June 2025 and will be audited in October 2025.