UKM-GSB Launches ALFA To Build Leadership, Strengthen Professional Networks

BANGI, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Graduate School of Business (UKM-GSB) has launched the UKM-GSB Alumni Leadership and Fellowship Association (ALFA) as a platform for graduates and alumni to share expertise, foster leadership qualities and strengthen their professional networks.

The Dean of UKM-GSB, Prof Dr Zafir Khan Mohamed Makhbul, explained that ALFA will also act as a catalyst for strategic partnerships between alumni, industry leaders and the university itself through the sharing of intellectual insight, industrial expertise and professional connections.

“ALFA was established to fortify alumni bonds and build a network across the nation, creating a vibrant ecosystem for ongoing professional and leadership development. 

“We hope this new association will further elevate the UKM-GSB brand on the global stage and build public confidence in the significant contributions our school makes to both industry and the community,” he told Bernama following the launch.

The inauguration of ALFA took place during the UKM-GSB graduates' appreciation dinner, celebrating the academic success of new graduates and formally welcoming them as the association's newest members.

Prof Zafir highlighted that UKM-GSB has secured a range of international accolades, including its full accreditation by The Alliance on Business Education and Scholarship for Tomorrow (ABEST21), maintained since 2015, and the recent 2024 International Kaizen Award.

Furthermore, the institution has held full accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 2018.

This accreditation has now been successfully extended for another six years, through to 2031, which is a testament to the school’s sustained commitment to providing world-class graduate education in business management.

“UKM-GSB has also been listed in the 151-200 band of the QS Global MBA Rankings 2026, establishing it as the second-best business school in Malaysia and the 23rd best in Asia. This achievement confirms that the MBA programmes we offer are of the highest quality and are competitive on a global scale,” he said.

He added that UKM-GSB continues to expand its academic network through memberships in the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and the Asia-Pacific Association of Business Schools (AAPBS).

The school has also forged strategic partnerships with Emerald Group Publishing and the Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals (CIIF).

“As a result, two of our academics, Prof Ts Dr Mohd Helmi Ali and Associate Prof Dr Abdullah Mamun, have been recognised among the world's top 2 percent of scientists for 2025 in a study conducted by Stanford University and Elsevier. This demonstrates the calibre and global impact of our research community,” said Prof Zakir. 

Meanwhile, ALFA president Muhammad Hazwan Hussein said the association will also open up concrete career and business opportunities for graduates.

He explained that the association's members work across corporate, entrepreneurial and government sectors, giving graduates direct insight into the job market and making their degrees more valuable.

“We plan to roll out several key programmes for our graduates and alumni. These will include a Leadership Series with top industry figures, dedicated mentoring sessions and a Leadership Summit that will convene renowned local and foreign figures,” Muhammad Hazwan said.

“We will also leverage UKM-GSB’s global alumni network, tapping into industry leaders from regions like Indonesia, China and the Middle East to provide international exposure and create tangible collaboration opportunities,” he added.

To date, over 4,500 alumni have registered as members of the association. 

-- BERNAMA