CPA Australia-sponsored undergraduate business conference at Curtin Sarawak

Miri – 30 April 2010 – The CPA Australia-Curtin Undergraduate Business Conference 2010 organised by the Curtin Accounting Club of Curtin University of Technology, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) and sponsored by the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) of Australia was held at the Curtin Sarawak campus here recently.

Supported by the CPA Australia Malaysia Division, the one-day conference’s main aim was to inculcate Curtin’s graduate attributes among the participants, who comprised of Curtin Sarawak’s Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Engineering students, to better equip them for future careers in the business world.

Representing CPA Australia at the conference was its Senior Manager, Business Development Gerald Fernandez. Also present was the Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor of Curtin Sarawak, Professor Joan Gribble.

Accounting lecturer and Curtin Accounting Club advisor Ling Yew Hua said it was an excellent platform for the participants to learn from the experiences of seasoned industry practitioners, to be updated on the latest developments in the business world, and find out more about the CPA Australia and the various programmes it offers.

In addition, they were given a first-hand perspective by industry speakers into qualities potential employers seek in business graduates. With such knowledge, they can thus prepare themselves with the requisite knowledge and skills before they graduate, Ling said.

Among the industry speakers was Michael Reyes, chief executive officer of Money Tree Asia Pacific Limited. Reyes, who is actively involved in youth programmes and issues related to investment and entrepreneurship, helped the students develop essential entrepreneurial skills through practical sessions focusing on communication, sales and marketing skills. Money Tree Asia Pacific holds the exclusive rights to a first of its kind financial training programme that grooms children and youths to be entrepreneurs.

Organising chairperson Michelle Thye Lok Yii related that her experience in organising the conference, which was attended by over 170 undergraduates, helped her learn beyond the classroom and enhance her soft skills.

“I learned a lot about time management, leadership and organisational skills. When a decision by the organising committee was called for, it was up to me to ensure we came out with the best solution. Gladly, everyone did their part and everything went smoothly,” said the second year Accounting & Finance undergraduate

According to the dean of Curtin Sarawak’s School of Business, Shamsul Kamariah Abdullah, continued support from professional bodies such as the CPA Australia augurs well for the undergraduate business programmes at Curtin Sarawak.

She said that, besides contributing to conferences such as the CPA Australia-Curtin Undergraduate Business Conference 2010 and other events that enable business undergraduates to hone their business skills, as well as annual awards for outstanding business students, they also accredit the university’s various business programmes.

CPA Australia is one of the world’s largest accounting bodies with a membership of more than 122,000 finance, accounting and business professionals across the globe.

It is one of the world’s oldest continuing professional associations emerging in its earliest form in the late 19th century, and since then, has continued to develop, with membership increasing 40 per cent over the last 10 years, retaining its position as Australia’s largest professional body.

For more information on the annual CPA Australia-Curtin Undergraduate Business Conference, contact the head of the School of Business’ Accounting Department, Anbalagan Krishnan, at 085-443939 or e-mail him at anbalagan.k@curtin.edu.my.

Information on Curtin Sarawak’s undergraduate and postgraduate accountancy programmes can be obtained from its website at www.curtin.edu.my.

        
Professor Joan Gribble (Curtin Sarawak), Gerald Fernandez (CPA Australia) and Michael Reyes (Money Tree) at launch of the conference.

Organising chairperson Michelle Thye Lok Yii.

Michelle Thye presenting souvenir to Michael Reyes.