Wawasan Open University (WOU) marked another milestone in academic collaboration by serving as a co-host of the recently concluded 5th International Conference on Business Sustainability and Innovation (ICBSI 2026).

Organised by the Graduate School of Business (GSB), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), the conference was held at the Olive Tree Hotel, Penang, on 1 and 2 October 2026.

Embracing the theme “Leading Sustainable Business in the Era of Global Transformation”, the two-day hybrid conference featured 89 research papers addressing emerging issues and identifying opportunities for collaboration.

The conference brought together academics, researchers, industry practitioners, and scholars from local and international institutions. Representatives from fellow co-host institutions were also present, reflecting the strong international collaboration underpinning the conference.

USM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) Professor Datin Dr. Noor Hazlina binti Ahmad officiated the conference alongside GSB Dean Associate Professor Dr. Fathyah Hashim and ICBSI 2026 Chairperson Dr. Noor Fareen Abdul Rahim. WOU was represented by Associate Professor Dr. Tan Saw Fen, Deputy Director of the Centre for Research and Innovation.

The conference featured Dato’ Adissadikin Ali, Managing Director of RHB Islamic Bank as the keynote speaker.

WOU and USM mark their collaboration at ICBSI 2026 with an exchange of souvenirs. From left: AP Ts. Dr. Teoh Ai Ping, Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation & Industry Community Engagement, Graduate School of Business; AP Dr. Tan Saw Fen; AP Dr. Fathyah Hashim, Dean, Graduate School of Business; and Dr Noor Fareen Abdul Rahim, Conference Chair.

A key highlight for WOU was the achievement of Dr. Leong Choon Hang, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) graduate from the Class of 2025, who received one of the five Best Paper Awards presented at the conference.

His award-winning paper, “Critical Success Factors for Online Collaboration Tools and the Moderating Effects of Personality Traits on the Operational Performance of SMEs in the Klang Valley”, was based on research conducted under the supervision of Dr. Kan Wen Huey from WOU’s School of Business and Administration.

A proud moment for WOU and a stellar achievement for Dr. Leong Choon Hang as he receives the Best Paper Award from Prof. Datin Dr. Noor Hazlina Ahmad, flanked by AP Dr. Teoh, AP Dr. Fathyah, and Dr. Noor Fareen.

This accolade highlights WOU’s research and innovation efforts in empowering both faculty and postgraduate students to produce impactful insights for the business and academic community.

WOU’s academic community comes together at ICBSI 2026. From left: Leow Hong Huat (WOU DBA student); Dr. Parimala Devi Dhivandram, SBA Senior Lecturer; AP Dr. Tan, Dr. Kan, Wong Lai Fang (WOU DBA student), and Dr. Leong.