40th CONVOCATION E- BOOK (17NOV2024)

42 43 EMERITA PROFESSOR BIOGRAPHY OF PROF. DR. MALIAH SULAIMAN A Legacy of Passion and Purpose With a career marked by unwavering dedication and a commitment to advancing both Islamic accounting and environmental accounting, Dr. Maliah has left an indelible mark on academia and the accounting profession. Her illustrious journey, now crowned by her conferment as Emerita Professor, stands as a testament to the power of knowledge, ethics, and purpose in transforming the industry and inspiring future generations. Dr. Maliah holds a PhD from the University of Otago (NZ) and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK). Her career began with a clear mission: to bring an ethical framework to accounting and sustainability, especially through the lens of Islamic principles. Over the years, she has established herself as a thought leader in fields such as Environmental Accounting, ESG Reporting, Islamic Accounting, and Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA).Through her teaching and research, she has fos- tered frameworks that emphasize ethical governance, social responsibility, and sustainability. Her global perspective, gained from roles at distinguished institutions such as the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), University of Otago, Curtin University of Technology, University of Sharjah, Selcuk University and Universiti Muhammadiyyah, has enriched her contributions. Dr. Maliah’s leadership at IIUM as Head of the Department of Accounting and Dean of the Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences provided a platform for her to shape the next generation of Islamic accounting professionals. Among her many academic accomplishments, she established the Islamic Accounting and Accountability Research Unit in 2007, underscoring her commitment to advancing research that integrates Shariah- compliant financial practices. Her book, Accounting for Islamic Banks, and her research on financial reporting for Islamic institutions, such as Baitulmal, Waqf, and Zakat, have been instrumental in providing structured guidelines for these entities. Her contributions in this field were also recognized through her roles with the Malaysian Accounting Standards Board (MASB) and as a member of the Accounting Standards Advisory Committee for Islamic Accounting Standards for Baitulmal, Zakat, and Waqf (PPIBZW). Her insights have been instrumental in advancing the development and standardization of reporting practices for these critical institutions. Dr. Maliah’s influence extends far beyond Malaysia. She has worked internationally to shape accounting education standards, notably leading the IIUM consultancy team to develop an internationally recognized Bachelor of Accounting program for Kabul University, Afghanistan. Her commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility is evident in her international work, including her service on task forces such as the Geneva-based International Standards Organization’s Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) and the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants’ (CAPA) CSR initiatives. Her national roles include membership on the National Committee on Material Flow Cost Accounting (SIRIM) and involvement with the Malaysian Productivity Centre’s MFCA task force, underscoring her commitment to integrating sustainable practices within accounting. Dr. Maliah has received numerous accolades in recognition of her pioneering work. She was awarded fellowships from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and her influence in Islamic finance earned her a place among the 100 Most Influential Women in Islamic Business and Finance in 2019 and 2020. Her articles on corporate governance and environmental sustainability, published with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and the highly respected International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), earned her Bronze and Silver Medals, as well as the prestigious IFAC Article of Merit Award. After an extraordinary tenure, she retired from IIUM in 2020, having significantly influenced Islamic accounting education and research. Even in retirement, Dr. Maliah remains a vital figure in academia and the profession. She serves as an Honorary Professor at University Selangor and as the Director and Advisor at the Centre of Excellence for Islamic Accounting and Auditing at Salihin International, the largest Bumiputra-owned accounting firm in Malaysia. She plays a vital role in advancing accounting education in Malaysia, serving on the education board of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) and as a trustee of the Malaysian Accountancy Research and Education Foundation (MAREF), where she is dedicated to shaping and inspiring future generations of accountants. Through her role as an educator, Dr. Maliah has imparted her values to students, advocating a philosophy that her success is measured by the success of those she teaches. Her commitment to mentorship, her pioneering research, and her ethical approach to education continue to influence scholars and professionals alike. Dr. Maliah’s legacy as a professor, mentor, and advocate for Islamic accounting standards remains a guiding light, inspiring her peers and students to pursue excellence, integrity, and purpose.