Centre for Economic Studies

Workshop: Quantitative Research and Structural Equation Modeling

Speaker: Dr Low Mei Peng

Date: 17 April 2025 (Thursday)

Time: 9.00 am – 12.00 pm

Platform: Online (Microsoft Teams)

Synopsis;

The event was held on 17 April 2025 from 9.00 am to 12.00 pm via Microsoft Teams., and was organised by Dr Chen Fanyu, Chairperson of CES, UTAR) and along with six other staff members. a total of 118 participants, comprising 42 UTAR academic staff members and 75 UTAR students, including postgraduate students. The session was facilitated by Dr Low Mei Peng, who shared her expertise in quantitative research methodologies and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The key outcomes of the event include enhanced participants’ knowledge of quantitative research methodologies and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), strengthening their research skills and supporting the development of high-quality empirical research within the social sciences.

Talk: Trump’s Tariffnado: Saying Goodby to American Century and Hello to Sino Century?

Speaker: Professor Dr Wong Chin Yoong

Date: 8 May 2025 (Thursday)

Time: 3:00 am – 4:30 pm

Platform: IDK 7

Synopsis;

The event was held on the 8 May 2025 (Thursday) during 3.00 pm - 4.30 pm at IDK7, and was organised by Dr Chen Fanyu, Chairperson of CES, UTAR) together with four other staff members. Besides that, it involved 36 participants and the speakers (Professor Dr Wong Chin Yoong). Key outcomes of the event include enhanced understanding among participants of the evolving global trade landscape and its implications for both the global and Malaysian economic outlook. The discussion also facilitated meaningful knowledge exchange on how shifts in trade policies may affect regional economic integration, trade flows, and policy responses. Overall, the event successfully supported CES’s mission of promoting research excellence and intellectual discourse through impactful knowledge sharing.

Talk: Research Seminar on Finance & Economics

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Hooy Chee Wooi and Prof Dr. Wong Woei Chyuan

Date: 2 May 2024 (Thursday)

Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Platform: IDK 3

Synopsis;

The event was held on 2 May 2024 (Thursday), from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at IDK 3, Block I. It was jointly organized by the Centre for Economic Studies and the Centre for Accounting, Business & Finance at UTAR. The event was organized by Dr. Chen Fanyu, Chairperson of CES, UTAR, along with twelve other staff members. A total of 33 participants attended, featuring the speakers Prof. Dr. Hooy Chee Wooi and Prof. Dr. Wong Woei Chyuan. Key outcomes of the event included the speakers sharing insights to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical strategies related to journal publication, and exploring specific topics such as climate/green finance, corporate finance, corporate governance, and institutions, among others. The event aimed to equip attendees with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the publication process effectively, stay updated on emerging trends in the field, and foster discussion and collaboration around key areas of finance and economics research. Additionally, the speakers facilitated the sharing of published papers in top journals, offering valuable examples and experiences for aspiring researchers to learn from and emulate.

Talk: Rethinking the Low-Wage Economy: What Goes Wrong? How to End It?

Speaker: Prof Dr Wong Chin Yoong

Date: 16 April 2024 (Tuesday)

Time: 4.00 pm - 5.30 pm

Platform: IDK 8

Synopsis;

The event was held on 16 April 2024 (Tuesday) from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at IDK 8, Block I. It was jointly organized by the Centre for Economic Studies and the Department of Economics, Faculty of Business & Finance, UTAR. The event was organized by Dr. Chen Fanyu, Chairperson of CES, UTAR, along with seven other staff members. A total of 86 participants attended, including the speaker, Prof. Dr. Wong Chin Yoong. The key outcomes of the event included providing insights to UTAR researchers, staff, and students on the evolution and future trends of the Malaysian and global labor market. The event also aimed to nurture and encourage economic research activities based on both the Malaysian and global contexts. Lastly, the event was successfully held and received positive feedback from both students and staff.

Talk: Latest Economic Developments and Expectations on Graduates in the Job Market

Speaker: Mr Low Thiam Huat

Date: 19 April 2023 (Wednesday)

Time: 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Platform: IDK 8

Synopsis;

The event was held on 19 April 2023 (Wednesday) from 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm at IDK 8 Block I, jointly organised by the Centre for Economic Studies, Department of Economics and Financial Economics Society, Faculty of Business & Finance, UTAR. It was organised by Dr Chen Fanyu, Chairperson of CES, UTAR) and along with eight other staff members. It also involved 225 participants and the speaker (Mr Low Thiam Huat). The key outcomes of the event include providing insights to students and staff on the latest economic developments. Additionally, the speaker shared knowledge and experiences related to meeting the expectations of graduates in the job market. Lastly, the event was successfully held, receiving positive feedback from both students and staff.

Workshop: The Newly Formed Kerajaan Perpaduan Malaysia: Perspectives Of Socio-Political Economics, Institutions As Well As Taxation

Speaker: Professor Dr Wong Chin Huat, Mr. Lau Zhong Yan, Mr. Wong Tai Seng, Professor Dr Wong Chin Yoong

Date: 9 February 2023 (Thursday)

Time: 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm

Platform: IDK 8

Synopsis;

The event was held on the 9 February 2023 (Thursday) during 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm at IDK8, and was organised by Dr Chen Fanyu, Chairperson of CES, UTAR) and along with nine other staff members. Besides that, it involved 203 participants and the speakers (Professor Dr Wong Chin Huat, Mr. Lau Zhong Yan, Mr. Wong Tai Seng, Professor Dr Wong Chin Yoong). Key outcomes of the event include raising awareness among the UTAR community and the public about the economic prospects of the newly formed Kerajaan Perpaduan Malaysia, specifically focusing on socio-political, institutional, and taxation aspects. The event also served as a platform to nurture potential economic research activities, particularly within the Malaysian context. Additionally, it facilitated fruitful interactions among academics, students, industry players, and the public.

Talk: Management of Exchange Reserves Some Practical Perspectives

Speaker: Tan Sri Muhammad Bin Ibrahim

Date: 5 July 2022 (Tuesday)

Time: 12.30 pm - 2.00 pm

Platform: IDK 7, Block I, UTAR Kampar Campus

Synopsis;

The event was held on the 5 July 2022 (Tuesday) from 12.30 pm - 2.00 pm through Microsoft Teams, organised by Dr Chen Fanyu, Chairperson of CES, UTAR), 13 other staff and 11 students. It also involved 175 participants and the speaker (Tan Sri Muhammad Bin Ibrahim). In addition, the event's key outcomes include the speakers discussing various monetary policies and exchange rates used in past and current economies. Moreover, the speakers also shared some experienced working in Bank Negara Malaysia. The speakers also share how to manage international reserves, the international reserve framework and the rating agency's role. Besides this, the speakers provided some valuable suggestions and their experience to all our participants. Lastly, the event was successfully held to receive good feedback from students and staff.

Seminar: Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Seminar 2022 (Theme : China-Malaysia Cooperation under the Epidemic and Sino-US Relations)

Speaker: 钟大荣 (Zhong Darong),刘惟诚，莫福文，罗传钰，Wong Chin Yoong, 翟崑and 陈韦亦

Date: 10 June 2022 (Friday)

Time: 10.00 am - 12.00 pm

Platform: LDK3 and Zoom

Synopsis;

The event was held on 10 June 2022 (Friday) from 10.00 am - 12.00 pm at LDK 3, Kampar Campus as well as through Microsoft Teams, jointly organised by the Centre for Economic Studies, Belt and Road Strategic Research Centre-BRISRC (UTAR), Belt and Road Activity Centre (UTAR), The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Guanxi Academy of Social Sciences. It also involved 120 participants and 7 speakers. In addition, the event’s key outcomes include the speaker sharing the latest China-Malaysia Cooperation under the Epidemic and Sino-US Relations with researchers and students. Besides speaker also discussed the changes in Malaysia’s political situation and analysis of its trends, prospects of China-Malaysia economic and trade cooperation in the post-epidemic Era, the impact of Sino-US competition on Malaysia and the development of Sina-Malaysian relations. Lastly, the event was successfully held to receive good feedback from students and staff.

CES Research Talk on: Research on Effecting Factors of Agricultural Product Price in China

Speaker: Visiting Scholar Dr. Zhuang Yan

Date: 21 November 2019 (Thursday)

Time: 11.00am – 12.00 pm

Venue: H210

Synopsis;

There are three parts of this talk. Firstly, introduction to Heilongjiang province Harbin City and Harbin University of Commerce. Secondly, sharing the research results on the factors affecting the price fluctuation of agricultural products in China. In this part, the research process and results will be explained from the vertical and horizontal perspectives. Lastly, some research issues she will focus on during her visit.

Medical Tourism in Malaysia: Synopsis

Speaker: Dr. Lai Yew Wah

Date: 18 September 2019 (Wednesday)

Time: 10.00am – 12.00 pm

Venue: IDK3, UTAR Kampar Campus

Synopsis:

The medical tourism industry is a rapidly growing sector in Malaysia, both in terms of the healthcare travelers it attracts and the revenue it generates. The government viewed it as an engine of growth, particularly after the Asian financial crisis in 1997 which resulted in lower demand, excess capacity and increased cost in private healthcare facilities. Since then, Malaysia has been successful in positioning itself as an important medical hub. Affordability, decline in transportation costs, availability of accredited medical facilities, qualified healthcare workforce, service quality, reduction in search costs and ease of adjustment are among the contributing factors to this success. Besides, the policy environment pertaining to facilitation, service liberalization, promotion and regulation is also conducive for the development of the medical tourism industry