The Accounting Research Institute (ARI) of Universiti Teknologi MARA has received MYR1 million from the MYHICoE Niche Empowerment Excellence Fund awarded by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. The fund is provided in recognition of ARI’s success in consistently achieving set targets for a Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) over the last ten years

At a brief ceremony to mark the occasion, UiTM Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Dr Mohd Nazip Suratman represented the Vice-Chancellor Professor Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohd Azraai Kassim. He congratulated ARI on its excellent performance in research and consultancy initiatives over the years.

“This funding is evidence that the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia continues to have the highest regard for ARI and its mission to advance knowledge in its niche areas of Islamic financial criminology, governance and transparency,” said Professor Dr Mohd Nazip.

According to ARI Director, Professor Dr Jamaliah Said, the funds will be utilised to support various programmes which promote the advancement and sharing of knowledge. She added, “The achievements of ARI are only possible because of the commitment of the research institute’s team of dedicated research fellows, associate fellows, and administrative staff. I must also thank the Deans and Campus Directors who support applications from academics who wish to become our fellows and associate fellows. Without these drivers of research initiatives, we would not be able to achieve recognitions of this type.”

Also present at the event was former ARI Director, Professor Dr Normah Omar, who led the research institute when it was named as one of six pioneer research institutions to be awarded the status of Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) in 2010 by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.