[11st Talk] Asst. Prof. Dr. Loo Yew Liang: Advancing Your Research Proposal: Identifying and Articulating Strategic Research Gaps
Upcoming Event
| Introduction | The “Bridging Ideas: Research Workshop Series” is a significant academic initiative meticulously planned and executed by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Graduate School, and the Institute of International Education of New Era University College. It aims to provide current postgraduate students with a series of highly practical and effective research methodology guides. Through systematic course design and the integration of resources from multiple fields, the workshops not only help students master core research skills but also focus on enhancing their ability to address challenges encountered during the research process. Whether it is in the stages of topic selection, application of methodologies, data analysis, or thesis writing, the workshops strive to offer comprehensive support, making their research journey smoother and more fruitful. This series serves as a vital resource to empower students and ensure their academic success. |
| Speaker | Asst. Prof. Dr. Loo Yew Liang Asst. Prof. Dr. Loo Yew Liang earned a bachelor's degree in Information Technology, followed by a master’s and PhD in International Business, all from Universiti Utara Malaysia. He is currently an assistant professor and programme coordinator for the Doctor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration (MBA) at New Era University College. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Loo has gained extensive practical experience in various industries, holding significant roles such as Assistant Sales & Marketing Manager at Teguh Harian Sdn. Bhd., International Business Manager at Gano Excel Industries Sdn. Bhd., and Inside Sales Account Manager (INTEL Campaign) at Teledirect Telecommerce Sdn. Bhd.. His combined expertise in academics and industry has enabled him to build a bridge between education and practical applications, providing students with valuable and insightful perspectives. |
| Topic | Advancing Your Research Proposal: Identifying and Articulating Strategic Research Gaps Participating in the “Advancing Your Research Proposal: Identifying and Articulating Strategic Research Gaps” workshop provides newly enrolled postgraduate candidates with a strong and strategic foundation for their master and PhD journey. Through focused and interactive sessions, participants will develop the ability to craft persuasive research proposals by clearly articulating research problems, refining research objectives, and convincingly justifying methodological choices as key elements that reviewers and proposal committees expect. The workshop features guided practice sessions with experienced facilitators and interdisciplinary peers, offering timely and constructive feedback to help participants sharpen their arguments and strengthen proposal coherence. In addition, institutional expectations are clarified through discussions of common evaluation criteria and analyses of exemplary research proposals, transforming abstract guidelines into practical, and actionable strategies. Gain the skills, structure, and confidence to present your research proposal with clarity, coherence, and academic impact. |
| Information | Date: 28 January 2026 (Wednesday) Registration: Please click the following link to register by 25 Jan 2026: https://acesse.one/7a8KM |
Lecture Postscript
On 28 January 2026, the Institute of International Education successfully conducted a workshop entitled “Advancing Your Research Proposal: Identifying and Articulating Strategic Research Gaps,” delivered by Asst. Prof. Dr. Loo Yew Liang. The workshop formed part of the ongoing academic initiative, “Bridging Ideas: Research Workshop Series,” jointly organized by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the Graduate School, and the Institute of International Education of New Era University College.
Designed to give newly enrolled postgraduate students a strong and structured start to their academic journey, the workshop aimed to build confidence, clarity, and strategic direction in research planning. It specifically served postgraduate candidates from Chinese Studies, Education, Southeast Asian Studies, Business Studies, and Art, Design, and Creative Media. The central objective was to equip participants with the essential competencies required to develop a persuasive and well-structured research proposal.
During the session, Dr. Loo highlighted the importance of clearly defining research problem statements, formulating precise research objectives, and providing sound justification for methodological choices in ways that align with reviewers’ expectations. He further clarified institutional evaluation standards by outlining common assessment criteria and presenting examples of successful proposals, thereby translating abstract guidelines into practical, actionable checkpoints for students.
Beyond technical proposal development, the workshop also emphasized the cultivation of critical thinking skills, confidence building, and effective presentation strategies for proposal defence sessions. With the participation of 35 postgraduate students, the workshop was warmly received and concluded with attendees’ preparation with the equipment of tools, frameworks, and mindset needed to meet academic standards and progress successfully in their PhD journey.
