IIUM Graduate School of Management

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Month: May 2026

Built at IIUM, Proven in the Corporate World

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GSM Alumni Stories: Where It All Began At IIUM Graduate School of Management, we celebrate alumni whose journeys reflect excellence, resilience, and continuous growth. Amirul Naim, MBA Class of 2024, takes pride in completing both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia. His time at the university instilled in him strong discipline, critical thinking, and a commitment to lifelong learning. These foundations have translated into outstanding performance in the corporate world. In 2021, Amirul was honoured with the Young Maybanker of the Year award—an achievement he attributes to the skills, values, and resilience developed throughout his journey at IIUM and applied in his professional career. His story stands as a testament to how a strong educational foundation can shape impactful and future-ready leaders.Here are the thoughts shared by him on our MBA programme.  1. Where were you in your career before joining GSM, and where are you now? I started working in 2020, so MBA was when I was about to get into middle management within my organisation. Currently, I am in the middle management section, managing a team and leading projects. 2.What part of the GSM experience had the biggest impact on you? Learning from lecturers with real corporate experience, I gained valuable insights into effective team management and how to bring out the best in every team member. 3. How did GSM shape your values, mindset, or leadership style? It instilled discipline, accountability, and the ability to stay adaptable in challenging situations. More importantly, it taught me that leadership is about responsibility and setting the right example for others. Because of that experience, my leadership style today focuses on clarity, trust, and empowering the team so we can perform and grow together 4. Why would you recommend this programme to working professionals? It’s an environment that allows holistic learning to learn essential skills relevant at corporate workplace. 

Alumni Spotlight: YBhg. Dato’ Shaharrudy Bin Othman Conferred Prestigious State Award

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IIUM Graduate School of Management is filled with immense pride to celebrate the outstanding achievement of one of our esteemed alumni, YBhg. Dato’ Shaharrudy Bin Othman, on being conferred the prestigious Darjah Dato’ Paduka Mahkota Perlis (D.P.M.P). This noble title represents a monumental milestone in a career defined by unwavering dedication, integrity, and exceptional service to the nation. Legacy of Leadership and Public ServiceDato’ Shaharrudy, a graduate of the Class of Master of Management (2018), currently serves as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Compliance at the Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negeri Malaysia (LHDN). This state recognition reflects not only his personal excellence but also his profound leadership in public service. His strategic contributions continue to strengthen corporate governance and national development, embodying the core values of responsibility and stewardship. We are certain that this well-deserved recognition will inspire our current students and the broader alumni community to strive for excellence, take on bold leadership roles, and contribute meaningfully to the progress of our global society. On behalf of the entire IIUM GSM faculty, staff, and student body, we extend our heartiest congratulations to YBhg. Dato’ Shaharrudy Bin Othman. We pray for his continued good health, wisdom, and success as he guides LHDN toward greater heights and continues to serve the nation with distinction. Congratulations, Dato’! You make the entire IIUM family proud.

Half-Baked Work Was Never An Option: The Mindset That Set Him Apart

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GSM Alumni Stories: Where It All Began 🎓 At IIUM Graduate School of Management, every alumni has a story and for our MBA Class of 2016 graduate, Saiyid A Syakir Al-Edrus, FCCA, it’s a story of professionalism shaped through consistency and high standards. During his time pursuing an MBA at IIUM Graduate School of Management, Saiyid described himself as a typical student. However, his peers often entrusted him with the role of group leader and editor for assignments, recognising his “strict quality control and eye for detail.” For Saiyid, it was never just about completing tasks, it was about upholding professionalism. He believed in delivering work that was complete, refined, and of high quality. As he puts it, submitting half-baked work was never an option, just as he would not deliver anything less than his best to his bosses and clients today. This mindset, nurtured during his MBA journey, continues to define his professional approach and commitment to excellence. Below is the thought shared by him on our MBA programme. 1. Where were you in your career before joining GSM, and where are you now? I was a Tax Specialist in Axiata Group Bhd in May 2013 when I was accepted. Currently I am a licensed tax agent and Executive Director of boutique tax firm, Morison LC Tax Sdn Bhd. 2.What part of the GSM experience had the biggest impact on you? Networking with fellow experienced students from various backgrounds and expertise (eg engineering, IT, marketing, management etc). The diverse views from fellow students helped me in understanding nuances of leadership among astute peers and taking lead in group studies and projects.  3. How did GSM shape your values, mindset, or leadership style? GSM provided the Islamic grounding, where each action is an ibadah and governed with ethics, which starts from niat or intention. From there, my personal values of “Integrity, Honesty & Compassion” and leadership naturally form a style of compassionate, attentive yet firm approach when I lead my department today.