Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia have experienced various transitions to
cope with the accelerating pace of globalisation. With the increasing number of
potential students within the country and beyond the national borders, HEIs must be
visible. One way to gain visibility depends on the impactful research and development
activities of that particular institution. Academics are the main drivers for these R&D
activities, which will generate a certain amount of budget or income for the universities.
Therefore, the university requires self-driven academics to act as institutions'
representatives in developing their reputation at national and international levels