On 20th August 2021, Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School (AAGBS) and Faculty of Business & Management (FBM) of Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam successfully hosted a Live CEO Talk titled “Digital Transformation: The AirAsia Experience”. This program was organized by Malaysia Business School Deans’ Council, an entity under the Malaysia Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia.
The guest speaker was the distinguished Ms. Aireen Omar, the President (AirAsia Digital) from AirAsia. Ms. Aireen’s talk was moderated by Associate Prof. Dr. Siti Halijjah Shariff from AAGBS. The program was officiated by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International) (exercising the functions of the Vice Chancellor), YBhg. Professor Ts. Dr Hajah Roziah Mohd Janor.
Due to the covid19 pandemic, the much anticipated knowledge sharing session was conducted online live via the university’s YouTube channel. The program drew close to 400 participants ranging from students and staff of UiTM, public universities of Malaysia and international university partners from Indonesia, China, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Ms. Aireen in her talk shared much of AirAsia’s experience in navigating through the digital transformation particularly in harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the change in consumers’ travel appetite. The participants were in awe with AirAsia’s speed and agility in propelling its business in the digital space as well as how AirAsia faces and tackles business risks and the current challenges brought on by the pandemic.
The CEO talk such as this is one of the many activities that could bring the industry closer to the academia, benefitting university students and faculty members. It is in line with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education). The program seeks out exceptional and notable CEOs from the industry to share their experiences and knowledge in steering an organisation to success.
The university would like to thank Ms Aireen Omar for accepting the invitation to speak at the CEO Talk and Malaysia Business School Deans’ Council for placing its confidence in AAGBS and FBM to co-host the program.
