On 16th July 2024, a delegation from University College Sedaya International (UCSI) in Malaysia visited UIC, delivered research presentations, and participated in discussions to explore potential collaboration and partnerships.

UCSI is one of Malaysia’s first private universities with campuses in Kuala Lumpur, Springhill (Port Dickson), and Kuching, Malaysia. Currently, the University has more than 12,000 students from various countries, creating a diverse and multicultural campus. The delegation members included Prof. Ooi Keng Boon, Distinguished Professor of Industrial Management & Information Systems and Director of the Centre for Business Informatics and Industrial Management; Prof. Garry Tan, Senior Professor and Head of Mobile Technology and Tourism Marketing; Dr. Eugene Cheng-Xi Aw, Associate Professor and Head of Research and Postgraduate Studies; and Prof. Lee Ming Tatt, Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and Director of the Office of Postgraduate Studies.

During the morning research talks, Dr. Eugene Cheng-Xi Aw and Prof. Garry Tan shared their experiences on handling peer reviews effectively and writing literature reviews in an empirical article.

Dr. Eugene Cheng-Xi Aw demystified the often-daunting process of academic publication, with a particular focus on navigating peer reviews. He explored the critical importance of publication in academia and provided insights into the peer review process from reviewer perspectives. Additionally, he shared practical strategies for understanding reviewers' expectations, crafting effective responses to comments, and addressing common controversies in peer reviews. He also touched on current trends in research, including influencer marketing and AI applications in marketing.

Dr. Eugene Cheng-Xi Aw

Prof. Garry Tan emphasized the importance of a well-written literature review in academic papers. However, he mentioned that many literature reviews lack focus and are poorly written, leading to rejection by journal editors. He discussed the necessary skills for creating an impactful literature review and provided insights into the black box theory, as well as grand and mid-range theories.

Prof. Garry Tan

During the afternoon session, both parties discussed various aspects of cooperation extensively. This included appointing visiting scholars and adjunct professors, jointly supervising graduate students, recruiting international interns, and collaborating on research.

From UIC FBM

Photos provided by UIC FBM

Editor: UIC FBM