Curriculum Vitae

PERSONAL DETAILS

Associate Professor Dr Sotheeswari A/P A Somasundram


BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Sothees has extensive experience in academic management and leadership which includes her current role as the Head of Department for the School of Management & Marketing at Taylor's University. Prior to that, she was the Dean of the Business School at INTI International College Subang. Some of her key achievements include:

Contributed to the increase of student enrollment numbers for postgraduate programmes in Taylor's University in 2020.

Led the team at School of Management & Marketing, Taylor's University in curriculum design for post graduate programmes in 2020

Doubled the student enrollment numbers to 2000+ as the Dean of the Business School at INTI International College Subang

Co leader in the design of a strategic Graduate Talent Programme which propelled the Business School at INTI International College Subang to achieve the graduate employability rates of 96% within 2 years from a low of 70%. 

Led the Business School at INTI International College Subang to become the leading school in the execution of real projects from the industry and various strategic immersion programmes with over 30 Employers for the business school.

Led the team at the Business School at INTI International College Subang in the design work of number of new curriculum initiatives including new programmes that contributed towards the growth of student enrolment numbers.

Dr. Sothees also actively undertakes research and scholarly activities. In addition to presenting papers at national and international conferences, she has also published papers in peer-reviewed journals. She has worked on many research grants, worth more than half a million ringgit, related to urbanization, ageing society and economics


Dr. Sothees is a dedicated and passionate individual who believes that good quality higher education transforms people's lives and benefit society and businesses at large. She has more than 20 years’ experience in higher education with extensive experience in curriculum design, new programme creation and academic management.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
(Role),(Level),(Duration)
  • Head of Department, School of Management and Marketing, Taylor's University, 01/01/2020 to present
  • Senior Lecturer I, Faculty of Business & Law, 18/08/2014 to present
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION
(Qualification),(Institution)
  • PHD In Economics, UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA, Malaysia
  • Master of Economics, UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA, Malaysia
  • Bachelor of Economics (Hons) Economic Statistics, UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA, Malaysia
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
(Organisation),(Role),(Duration),(Level)
  • Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Affilate Member, 2020 to 2022 (International)
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
(Area)
  • Entrepreneurial Studies
  • Urban And Regional Economics
  • Economics of Religion
RESEARCH INTEREST
(Research Area)
  • Entrepreneurial Education
  • Urban Liveability
  • Economics of Religion
PUBLICATIONS
(Title of publication in APA style)
Book Chapter
2021
  • Somasundram, S., Habibullah, M. S., Sambasivan, M., & Rasiah, R. (2021). Antecedents of Religious Tolerance in Southeast Asia. In Social Capital and Subjective Well-Being (1st ed., pp. 1–20). Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75813-4_7
     
2020
  • Somasundram, S. (2020) Impact of E-Commerce on the Urban Landscape. In: Ree Chan Ho (ed.). Strategies and Tools for Managing Connected Customers 1st edition [online]. (no place) IGI Global Publication. pp. 34–45.
     
2019
  • Somasundram, S., Habibullah, M.S., Lee, C. (2019). Economics of Religion: A Theoretical Review In W.N.W Azman Saini, N.A.M. Naseem, Law, S.H., Bani, Y. (Ed.), RESEARCH IN APPLIED MACROECONOMICS (pp. 145-161). Universiti Putra Malaysia Press.
     
Article in Journals
2022
  • Ehigiamusoe, K.U, Lean, H. H. & Somasundram, S. (2021). Unveiling the non-linear impact of sectoral output on environmental pollution in Malaysia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 1-24 [SCIE, Q2, IF: 4.223] (ISI-Indexed)
     
  • Sharif Nia, H., She, L., Somasundram, S., Khoshnavay Fomani, F., Kaveh, O., & Hosseini, L. (2022). Validity and Reliability of Persian Version of the 12-Item Expectations Regarding Aging Survey. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 00914150221084650. (SCOPUS-Indexed)
2021
  • Rasiah, R., Somasundram, S., Tee, P.L., and Turner, J.J. (2021). Teach less, learn more: Transforming students’ learning experience and enhancing graduate work readiness through innovative learning curriculum. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 2(1).
     
2020
  • Rasiah, R., Bilong, F.M., Turner, J., Waheed, H., Somasundram, S. and Kelly, T.P.L.. A Structural Equation Modelling Study of the Determinants of Retirement Preparedness. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 11(6), 1-24. (ISI-Indexed)
     
2019
  • Rasiah, R., Somasundram, S. and Tee K.P.L. (2019). Entrepreneurship in Education: Innovations in Higher Education to Promote Experiential Learning and Develop Future Ready Entrepreneurial Graduates, Journal of Engineering Science and Technology. Special Issue on SU18, 99 - 110. (ISI-Indexed)
     
  • Ramayah, M.; Rasiah, R.; Somasundram, S.; and Turner, J. (2019). The Macroeconomic Determinants of Environmental Degradation: A Dynamic Panel Estimation Study of the Environmental Kuznets Curve for Carbon Emissions, Mining of Mineral Deposits, 13(4), 42-52. (ISI-Indexed)
     
2018
  • Rasiah, R., Somasundram, S., and Subramaniam, G. (2018). A Multivariate Cointegration Analysis of the Macroeconomic Determinants of Carbon Emissions in Malaysia. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, . (SCOPUS-Indexed)
      
  • Somasundram, S., Sambasivan, M., Rasiah, R., & Tee P. L (2018). Ranking the Challenges of the Urban Community in Malaysia. Institutions And Economies, 10(4), 69-89. (SCOPUS-Indexed)
     
2017
  • Somasundram, S., Sirag, A., Rasiah, R., & Habibullah, M. S. (2017). Religious Oppression: Government Regulations and Social Hostilities. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 4(4), 39–49. http://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2017.vol4.no4.39 (SCOPUS-Indexed)
     
Article in Proceeding
2016
  • Somasundram, S. & Habibullah, M.S., 2016. Motives for Demand for Religion: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis. In E. S. Lim, C. H. Law, & H. H. Lean, eds. Proceedings of Second International Conference on Contemporary Economic Issues. School of Social Sciences, USM, pp. 64–71.
     
Other Media(Tape,Video,Internet)
2018
  • Somasundram, S. (2020, July 24). Social Hostility toward Religion: Politicization of Religion? An expression of nationalism? A combination of both? Retrieved November 16, 2020, from https://www.religiousstudiesproject.com/response/social-hostility-toward-religion-politicization-of-religion-an-expression-of-nationalism-a-combination-of-both/
     
RESEARCH PROJECT
(Project title),(Role),(Duration),(Level)
  • A fundamental study on the environmental impacts of the agricultural, industrial and financial sectors in Malaysia, Project Leader, 2020 to 2023 (National)
  • Detailed design of Perak integrated river basin phase 1 - Lenggong flood mitigation plan phase 1, Hulu district, Project Leader, 2020 (Private)
  • An Assessment on Attachment to World Heritage Site: A Case Study of Lenggong Valley, Hulu Perak, Malaysia, Project Leader, 2020 to 2023 (National)
  • A fundamental study on the environmental impacts of the agricultural, industrial and financial sectors in Malaysia, Co-researcher, 2020 to 2023 (National)
  • The macroeconomic determinants of environmental degradation: A dynamic panel estimation study of the environmental Kuznet's curve for carbon emissions, Co-researcher, 2018 to 2019 (Taylor's University)
  • Investigating the antecedents of happiness among university students in Malaysia: A structural equation modeling approach, Co-researcher, 2018 to 2019 (Taylor's University)
  • The Economics of Liveable and Sustainable Cities in the Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley , Project Leader, 2017 to 2020 (Taylor's University)
  • The antecedents of retirement preparedness: Are Malaysians personally and financially prepared for their Golden Years?, Co-researcher, 2017 to 2021 (Taylor's University)
SUPERVISION
(Title of Thesis),(Name of Candidates),(Academic Level),(Role)
COMPLETED
  • PERSONAL AND REGIONAL ANTECEDENTS OF LIFE SATISFACTION AND ITS IMPACT ON ECOLOGICAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUTH IN GREATER KUALA LUMPUR, RABI'AH ABD RAHMAN  (Co-supervisor (Internal))
ONGOING
  • MALARVILLY RAMAYAH  (Main Supervisor)
  • JAYASUTHA A/P MATIAH  (Co-supervisor (Internal))
  • GEETHA RAANI A/P S.KRISHNAPILLAI  (Main Supervisor)
  • WENG WEI  (Main Supervisor)
  • LO CHEE HOE  (Main Supervisor)
  • YE WEIXUAN  (Co-supervisor (Internal))
  • CHANG YEN HENG  (Main Supervisor)
PRESENTATION
(Title),(Event),(Date Presented),(Organiser),(Level)
ORAL PRESENTER
  • Empirical Analysis of the Determinants of Religious Unaffiliation Using the Economics of Religion Approach, Seminar FEP 2018, 10/07/2018 to 10/07/2018, Faculty of Economics and Management, Universiti Putra Malaysia (National)
  • Entrepreneurship in Education: Re-designing Higher Education to Develop Future Ready Entrepreneurial Graduates , Taylor's 10th Teaching and Learning Conference 2017, 30/09/2017 to 01/10/2017, Taylor's University (National)
  • Motives for Demand for Religion: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Proceedings of Second International Conference on Contemporary Economic Issues, 02/11/2016 (International)
OTHERS
  • A Multivariate Cointegration Analysis of the Macroeconomic Determinants of Carbon Emissions in Malaysia, Terengganu Multidisciplinary International Conference (TEMIC) 2018, 31/03/2018 to 01/04/2018, UiTM  (International)
AWARDS AND STEWARDSHIP
(Name of Award/Stewardship),(Award Category),(Awarding Institution),(Year Awarded),(Type of Award)
  • Best Presenter for the Seminar FEP 2018, Conference, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), 2018 (Best Presentation)
COURSE ATTENDED
(Course Title),(Course Mode),(Date/Duration),(Level)
  • TBS Research Workshop AMOS Part 2 (Invited participants only), Research, 06/05/2017 to 06/05/2017
  • TBS Research Workshop:AMOS Part 1(Invited participants only), Research, 08/04/2017 to 08/04/2017