A visit to UEH by Prof. Maryam Omari from Edith Cowan University, Australia

From 25^th to 27^th September 2019, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) was pleased to welcome Professor Maryam Omari - Executive Dean of the School of Business and Law from Edith Cowan University, Australia (ECU) to visit, work and exchange academic collaboration opportunities and research projects.

Prior to being Executive Dean of the School, Professor Omari held numerous leadership positions including Program Director MBA and Graduate Studies, Associate Dean International, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Human Resource Management Course Coordinator. She has also worked in various HR capacities including training and development, recruitment and selection, coordination of graduate programs, organizational development, program evaluation, project management; and strategic planning. In addition to this, Professor Omari has significant experience in the design, delivery, and evaluation of Executive Education and Management Development programs.

With this experience, Professor Omari has been credited with widespread academic prizes such as 2014 - Perth Convention Bureau Aspire Award ($5000); 2014 - ECU Research Impact Award ($2000); 2009 - The Vice-Chancellor’s award for Engagement in Teaching & Learning, Business Edge; 2009 - The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

This is the second time that Professor Omari has been to Vietnam but the first time in UEH, the Professor shared the feeling about UEH and expectations of the School of Business and Law (ECU) in the long-term cooperation with UEH.

- Professor, have you ever heard of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City? What is your impression of UEH so far?

The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City has appeared to be one of the leading institutions in Vietnam with impressive achievements since its establishment in 1976. The University is highly competitive in the national and international markets. Some of my colleagues are currently involved in research projects with your academics in the areas of leadership and employee behaviors in the public sector (in collaboration with academic staff from the Management Department and the Department of Government), work-related stress and employee engagement in Vietnam (in collaboration with lecturers from the International School of Business - ISB). These research relationships emphasize the mutually beneficial nature of our current partnership. This year, the School of Business and Law is proud to be one of the key sponsors (funding and consulting) for the 6th International Conference on Government Performance Management and Leadership.

- This is the first international conference organized by the School of Government and the first time School of Business and Law has sponsored a conference in Vietnam. Can you please share with us the reasons for your decision and what you expect from the conference sponsorship?

ECU’s vision sees us producing “World-Ready’ graduates. This comes about as a result of diversity in our academic profile, internationalization of our curriculum, and our collaborations with research partners around the world. Our School and indeed University, encourage research partnerships globally. We are very happy to have a Vietnamese academic staff member who has solid links with institutions in Vietnam, this has resulted in a new era of collaboration for us.

- Can you please share more about Edith Cowan University and the School of Business and Law?

Established in 1991, Edith Cowan University is a young university in its 28th year of operation, however, the institution’s history goes back to over 100 years. ECU is named after the first female parliamentarian in Australia, Edith Dirksey Cowan, her image appears on the Australian $50 note.

The School of Business and Law in its current iteration was created in January 2016 when I took over as the Executive Dean of the School.

Our University and School are well-known in Australia for the high quality of graduate satisfaction with our teaching and learning. Our research is on a sharp trajectory upwards with focus areas on Tourism and Hospitality: Wellness at Work: and Supply Finance, and Chain and Logistics Management to name a few. The School has grown significantly in size from 60 to 100 academics in the last 3 years, we have around 4000 students from 70+ nationalities.

- What do you expect for the future of UEH and Edith Cowan University’s School of Business and Law?

I believe our partnership will strengthen and grow on all fronts. We can learn from each others’ areas of strength and expertise, and develop strong links, not only in the research space but potentially teaching and learning and industry engagement going forward. It is the sponsorship of the School of Business and Law for GPML 2019 that kicks of the cooperation between two partners.

Professor Maryam Omari attended the 6th International Conference on Government Performance Management and Leadership

Professor Nguyen Trong Hoai - Vice President has given gifts to the sponsors of GPML 2019

Professor Omari also discussed expanding the partnership between School of Business and Law (Edith Cowan University) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City in the fields such as developing undergraduate and graduate academic programs, student exchanges, research activities.

Professor Maryam Omari discussed these cooperation opportunities with Professor Nguyen Dong Phong - UEH President and Associate Professor Tran Ha Minh Quan - Dean of International School of Business

The School of Business and Law (Edith Cowan University) commits to supporting the research capability improvement of UEH lecturers in current and future projects. UEH lecturers will support the School of Business and Law (Edith Cowan University)’s researchers to understand the context of organizational management in Vietnam and method of transferring new knowledge to enterprises through workshops and talk shows.

The visit from Professor Maryam Omari at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City has provided multiple benefits for research activities. Furthermore, this visit improves the collaborative relationship among lecturers of the Edith Cowan University in Western Australia and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City.

Sources: Department of Communications and Public Relations.