(from left to right) Ms Lai Thong Yan, Associate Dean, FAFB, Dr Henly Pahilagao, Director, College of Accounts & Business, Far Eastern University-Alabang, Philippines, Associate Professor Dr Ersa Tri Wahyuni, Associate Professor in Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Padjadjaran, Mr Low Boon Tiong, Deputy Dean, FAFB, Dr Chow, Prof Dr Rozainun Haji Abdul Aziz, Dean, Faculty of Business, UNITAR Malaysia, Associate Professor Dr Koh Sze Kee, Director of Programmes, Singapore Institute of Technology, Associate Professor Dr Sekar Mayangsari, Head of Master of Accounting Programme, Universitas Trisakti, Indonesia, and Ms Lee Yi Ling, Programme Leader, FAFB.
TAR UMT successfully hosted the ASEAN Accounting Educators Summit (AAES) 2026 in collaboration with the ASEAN Accounting Educators Workgroup (AAEW) on 17 July 2026. The summit carried the theme ‘The Digital Green Ledger: Driving ASEAN’s Sustainable Future through Tech-Enabled Accounting’, reflecting the growing importance of digital transformation and sustainability in accounting education and professional practice.
AAES 2026 brought together accounting educators, researchers, industry professionals and representatives of professional bodies from across the ASEAN region to exchange ideas, strengthen regional partnerships and discuss emerging developments in accounting education and the profession. The summit served as a significant platform for promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation in preparing future-ready accounting graduates.
In her welcoming remarks, Dr Chow Poh Ling, Dean of the Faculty of Accountancy, Finance and Business (FAFB), expressed appreciation to all delegates and collaborators for their support in making the summit possible. She emphasised that quality accounting education extends beyond academic excellence and must be built upon innovation, collaboration, and a shared commitment to preparing graduates who can thrive in an ever-evolving global environment. She also highlighted the vital role of AAES in fostering meaningful dialogue and inspiring new approaches to teaching, research, and professional engagement across the ASEAN region.
Professor Dr Rozainun Haji Abdul Aziz, President of AAEW, highlighted that the accounting profession is now at a defining crossroads where accountants are increasingly expected to contribute to environmental stewardship through ESG reporting, carbon accounting and technology-enabled governance. She stressed the importance of transforming accounting curricula to equip graduates with digital capabilities and analytical skills necessary for a sustainable future.
The summit featured a comprehensive programme comprising keynote addresses, workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Keynote sessions explored topics such as the evolving ethical role of accountants in digital reporting environments, AI governance from a practitioner’s perspective and ethical digital practices for future accountants. Speakers from professional bodies and industry organisations shared valuable insights on how technology is reshaping accounting practice and education.
Keynote sessions discussed the Evolving Ethical Role of Accountants in a Digital Reporting Environment, Ethical Digital Practice of Future Accountants, as well as AI Agents: Transforming Accounting into Governance for Growth, while another workshop on Digitisation and AI Tools in the Accounting Profession provided participants with practical exposure to emerging technologies. The summit concluded with a panel discussion titled ‘Smart Accounting for a Sustainable World: Balancing Innovation and Ethics’, where panellists from academia, professional bodies and industry deliberated on the opportunities and ethical challenges arising from rapid technological advancement. The programme also included a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony between the ASEAN Accounting Educators Workgroup and Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) - Philippines, reinforcing the commitment of participating institutions and organisations towards deeper academic and professional collaboration across the region.
On 18 July 2026, TAR UMT also hosted the AAEW Annual General Meeting 2026, attended by representatives from member institutions across ASEAN. The meeting provided an important forum for discussing the workgroup’s strategic directions, collaborative initiatives, governance matters and future activities aimed at advancing accounting education within the region. The AGM reaffirmed AAEW’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing curriculum relevance and promoting sustainable and technology-enabled accounting education.
Beyond the formal sessions, delegates participated in networking activities and a cultural programme that fostered stronger professional relationships and cross-border friendships among participants from different ASEAN countries. These interactions further strengthened the spirit of regional collaboration that underpins both AAES and AAEW.
The panellists and moderator for one of the forums: (from left to right) Dr Amirul Shah Md Shahbudin (Ph.D (Lancaster), M.SC. (Southampton), B.SC. (Sacramento)), Senior Lecturer, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Ding Kaili (CPA (AUST.)), IT Audit Manager, Forvis Mazars, Dr Lillian Koh (Doctor of Philosophy, PhD in Learning Environment), Founder, FinTech Academy, Ryan Peh (FCMA, CGMA), Director, Business Solution Architect, Oracle Corporation Malaysia Sdn Bhd, and Calvin Wong (FCCA, C.A.(M), MSC (UOL)), Business Relationship Manager, ACCA Maritime Southeast Asia.
TAR UMT students' performances at the summit
