‘Being a university student is about knowledge creation and finding solutions to problems, are you innovative enough, are you creative enough? Through research, knowledge is developed,” this is the sentiment by Dr. Kepha Pondi, PhD, the guest speaker for the Inaugural Research Forum organized by the School of Accounting and Finance (SOAF).

SOAF hosted a highly successful Inaugural Research Forum, on Thursday 13^th March 2025. This event was organized by Dr. Rengalwar Srinivasan, Dr. Thirumal Raman and School of Accounting Student Association Staff Advisor and Senior Lecturer Mr. Manikandan Sathyamoorthy, which brought the SOAF students together for an informatic discussion about research.

The highlight of the event was the guest speaker’s address delivered by Dr. Kepha Pondi, PhD, and the esteemed Dean, School of Research and Postgraduate Studies at Pacific Adventist University (PAU). Dr. Pondi’s address captivated the student with his thought-provoking perspectives on the importance of research and knowledge development as a university student, particularly in the areas of accounting and finance. His expertise and vision for advancing undergraduate research motivates the students to think critically about research and problem solving and their impact on industry practices.

Members of the Research Forum of SOAF are keenly listening to the speech of the Guest Speaker

Dr. Pondi’s presentation, which focused on the importance of interdisciplinary research in tackling global financial challenges, was one of the key takeaways of the forum. He emphasized on the role of research in developing policies and practices in the finance and accounting sectors. His call to action for students to be researchers to break the traditional boundaries and collaborate across disciplines to find solutions. “Research is a collaborative effort for knowledge development,” he said.

The event also included a closing remark of research from the head of Research, IBSUniversity, Dr. Promise with the announcement of a national research that will be hosted by IBSUniversity.

This Inaugural Research Forum organized by the School of Accounting and Finance, supports the vision and mission of IBSUniversity to create a vibrant research community that is actively engaged in advancing knowledge and making a meaningful impact. The event provided a glimpse into the exciting future of research and innovation within SOAF and demonstrated the strength of its academic community and involvement of students.