Conference Theme

The theme of BREC 2015 is "Developing as a Researcher by Playing Scholarly Roles." It has two key aspects:

1. Developing as a Researcher

   Researcher development is a key focus of research education. While most higher learning institutions focus on research output, at BREC we dare to shift the focus from research output to the researcher. Researcher development, in a broader sense, is more than learning research methods, understanding a technique, or mastering statistical software. It is about building professional, personal, and social competencies that trigger research ideas, facilitate collaboration, create support networks, and promote a culture of active participation within a research community.

2. Playing Scholarly Roles

   Very often a researcher is viewed as a person reading a lot, sitting in front of a computer, or contemplating nature’s mysteries, thus depicting a false image of a lonely individual who is obsessed with his/her own things. In the context of researcher’s development, there is a need to understand research as a social activity that requires constant interaction with the wider environment. A researcher should not be seen as an alien who is detached from the ground realities, but as an active member of society. One way to develop as an active researcher is to be engaged with various communities and organisations, both within and outside universities. Multiple forms of such engagement and their effect on researcher’s development will be discussed in the conference.

   One example of a scholarly role that should be played by any postgraduate student is to give and receive feedback. Researcher’s development does not happen in vacuum, it only happens when we interact with others, share our ideas, engage in meaningful discussions, and reflect upon our work in order to progress to the next stage. At BREC, we expect students to play this scholarly role by providing constructive feedback to each other. It is incorrect to think that students are and should always be feedback receivers, while senior academic members, including supervisors, are and should always be feedback givers. Giving and receiving feedback are like the two wings of a bird. They allow you to have a clearer and a broader view of the world you are researching.

   Supervisors are also invited to reflect on the importance of playing scholarly roles within the context of researcher’s development. From a researcher’s development perspective, the role of supervisors should not be limited to guiding a small number of students under their supervision. On the contrary, their support should be extended to as many students as possible within and outside their institutions. Attending BREC is a good opportunity for supervisors to contribute their parts by playing this simple and yet important scholarly role.

Who should attend?

All postgraduate research students at master and doctoral levels in business, management, education, and related applied disciplines are welcome to participate.

Students at any stage of their research studies are invited to share their work or work-in-progress with other participants at this conference.

• Those who are at an advanced stage are welcome to present full-length research articles and share their findings.
• Students who are at a beginning stage can share their work-in-progress and receive useful feedback.
• Students who have no research results to share yet, those who have not finalised the research objectives, research questions, and research design will also be given the opportunity to share their broad ideas and receive valuable feedback on how to move forward.
• Finally, those who are thinking of enrolling in a research degree program are also advised to participate so as to gain clarity about a research-based career in applied disciplines.

We also invite supervisors to make time and accompany their students. Your presence provides moral support to your own students. It also provides a unique opportunity to you to play your scholarly roles within the wider research community. By putting yourself at the disposal of others who need your support, you can make a positive impact on their development.

Submission and presentation

All participants are encouraged to submit either a Research Note (i.e., work-in-progress) or a full-length Research Article.

Sharing one’s research ideas and work-in-progress is fundamental to building a research culture. Such sharing will be encouraged in a relaxed and respectful environment. Participants will have the opportunity to practise giving and receiving feedback, which is vital for developing a researcher.

1. Presentation & Feedback

Presenters will be given 15 minutes to share their work, ideas and thoughts.
A discussant will be assigned to each presenter. The role of the discussant is to provide useful oral and written feedback to student (10 minutes). It will be followed by audience interaction for (5 minutes).
Supporting each other is crucial for researchers’ development; therefore we expect and encourage active participation from all students.

2. Submission Format

Please follow the following format before you submit your document. Submission Format.

3. Submission

Your work-in-progress, together with the Registration Form and Proof of Payment should be sent electronically, latest by 30 October 2015 to: brec@swinburne.edu.my

Organisers and Advisors

Conference Chairs

Rasid Hj Mail, Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Ismail Ait Saadi, Faculty of Business and Design, Swinburne Sarawak

Conference Convenors

Anbalagan Krishnan, Curtin Sarawak
Bertha Chin Lu Phin, Swinburne Sarawak
Corina Joseph, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak
D. P. Dash, Swinburne Sarawak
Ernest Cyril De Run, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
Firdaus Abdullah, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak
Kamisan Bin Pusiran, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Lew Tek Yew, Curtin Sarawak
Noor Fzlinda Fabeil, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Puah Chin Hong, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Conference Advisors

Industry & Community

Adi Badiozaman Tuah, Director, Sarawak Islamic Council Educational Services Bureau, Malaysia
Lelia Sim Ah Hua, General Manager, Sarawak Development Institute (SDI)

Academia

Alistair Anderson, Robert Gordon University, United Kingdom
Arsiah Bahron, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Banikanta Mishra, Xavier Institute of Management, India
C. Shambu Prasad, Institute of Rural Management, Anand, India
Christine Jubb, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Eva Dobozy, Curtin University, Australia
Gabriele Bammer, The Australian National University, Australia
Gerard de Zeeuw, University of Leuven, Belgium
Justo Diaz, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
Ken Friedman, Tongji University, China, and Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Mohd Rahimie Abd Karim, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Michelle K. McGinn, Brock University, Canada
Pamela Green, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Remali Bin Yusoff, Universiti Malaysia Sabah
Rick Szostak, University of Alberta, Canada
Santina Bertone, Swinburne University, Australia
Shad Saleem Faruqi, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
Snigdha Pattnaik, Xavier Institute of Management, India
Stephen Soldz, Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis, United States
Wallace ShungHui Wong, Swinburne University of Technology, Malaysia
Werner Ulrich, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
Wiebe E. Bijker, Maastricht University, Netherlands
Zakariya Belkhamza, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia

Organising Secretaries

Stella Chua, Swinburne Sarawak
Sarlona Jasnie Gindug, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Datu Tumanggong Datu Manong, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Ruby Salam abdul Latip, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia

Speakers

		Ms Lelia Sim Ah Hua General Manager Sarawak Development Institute lelia@sdi.com.my http://www.sdi.com.my/ Topic: Developing Researchers for the Real World: Some Insights From Two Decades of Providing Research Services Developing researchers for the real world requires more than just the ability to write research proposals and prepare research reports. What are the “extras” required?
		Professor Syed Azizi Wafa Faculty of Business, Economics, and Accountancy Universiti Malaysia Sabah sazizi@ums.edu.my http://www.ums.edu.my/fpep/ Topic: Strengthening the Backbone of an Academic Scholar Despite their knowledge and skills, sometimes academics are seen as weak persons by the broader community. This may be due to their risk-averseness, collectivism, and reserved communication behaviour.  How can academics change this image?

Guidelines for Session Chairs

Please click here for the guideline for Session Chairs.

Conference Fee and Registration

• Conference Fee: RM300 (inclusive of 6% GST)
• Last Date for Registration: 30 October 2015

The fee covers lunch, snacks, conference material, and access to all scheduled events. The fee does not include accommodation. Please complete the Registration Form and send it to brec@swinburne.edu.my  before 30 October 2015.

Program and Venue

Program: The program for BREC (2015) is now available and can be downloaded here.

Venue: Please note that venue has been changed to Centre for Postgraduate Studies, UniversitI Malaysia Sabah. You will find signage stands guiding you all the way from the main entrance to the centre.