Curriculum Vitae

DR. SONIA KUMARI A/P SELVARAJAN

Senior Lecturer
  • Department of Political Science, Public Administration and Development Studies
    Faculty of Business and Economics
  • soniakumari
  • 0379673727

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Sonia Kumari is Senior Lecturer at Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Malaya. She holds PhD (Financial Development and Economic Growth, UNIMAS, Malaysia), MEcon (Public Policy, UKM, Malaysia) and BEc (Management Economics, UKM, Malaysia). 

Her research expertise includes, Financial Development ; Financial Integration; Financial Inclusion; Sustainable Finance; Climate Finance; and Financial management of small businesses, with main focus on multidisciplinary themes related to emerging and developing economies.

Her previous work experience includes: Associate Economist at the Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM) ; Visiting Research Fellow at Bocconi University, Milan, Italy; Visiting Research Fellow at Instituto Complutense de Estudios Internacionales (ICEI), Complutense University of Madrid, Spain; Lecturer at Help University, Malaysia. 

She has taught several courses at Undergraduate level including:  Microfinance and Social Enterprise, Analysis of Development Projects, SME Development, Agriculture Business Management, Agriculture Development, Development Economics and Research Methodology (at University of Malaya); Principles of Business Management, Principles of Macroeconomics and Principles of Microeconomics (at Help University).

Postgraduate courses: Sustainable Finance (Universiti Malaya). 

She supervised over 50 UG projects including industrial placement projects (at University of Malaya); over 15 Masters Research Projects (at University of Malaya); and 1 Doctoral completion (current PhD supervision = 8).  

Produced over 30 publications, including book chapters, articles in internationally refereed journals, policy briefs and reports. She has also reviewed several papers for journals and conferences. 

She has led research projects on: "Financial Inclusion and Inclusive Growth" and "Government Supports And Food Operator's Performance In Klang Valley" (University Grant). She is also a co-researcher for projects such as "Role of Social Enterprise in Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development in Malaysia" (University Grants); Developing Environmental Reporting Framework for the Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia: Using Q-Methodological Approach" (FRGS, Government of Malaysia) and "Catching-up along the Global Value Chain: models, determinants and policy implications in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution" (European Commission Grant). She has research collaborative links in several countries including South Africa, China and Bangladesh. 

She is an Associate Editor for Journal of Institutions and Economies.

 

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • PHD, (Economics)
    Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas)
  • MA, (Economics)
    Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
  • BA, (Economics)
    Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Committee Members
    13 Nov 2021 - 13 Nov 2023 (Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics)
  • Coordinator
    12 Aug 2022 - 03 Oct 2023 (Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics)
  • Committee Members
    08 Nov 2021 - 01 Sep 2023 (Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics)
  • Ahli JawatanKuasa
    07 Aug 2018 - 06 Aug 2021 (University Malaya)
  • Ahli Jawatankuasa Kurikulum (Ijazah Dasar)
    07 Aug 2018 - 06 Aug 2021 (Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Economics & Administration)
  • Programme Coordinator
    02 Feb 2019 - 31 Jan 2021 (Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Economics & Administration)
  • AJK Keselamatan dan Kesihatan (JKK)
    09 Feb 2019 - 14 May 2020 (Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Economics & Administration)
  • Programme Coordinator
    14 Feb 2019 - 05 May 2020 (University Malaya)
  • ketua editor
    28 Jun 2018 - 01 Jul 2019 (Faculty of Economics & Administration Dean's Office, Faculty of Economics & Administration)
  • Wakil Jabatan penyediaan Analisis dan Laporan Penilaian Program Sarjana Muda Ekonomi
    22 Jan 2018 - 28 Feb 2019 (Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Economics & Administration)
  • Wakil Jabatan "Employer Survey"
    22 Jan 2018 - 31 Jan 2019 (Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Economics & Administration)
  • AJK FEA Advancement Unit
    25 Jan 2018 - 24 Jan 2019 (Faculty of Economics & Administration Dean's Office, Faculty of Economics & Administration)
  • AHLI JAWATANKUASA
    12 Oct 2018 - 20 Jan 2019 (Faculty)
  • Coordinator
    21 Jul 2018 - 22 Jul 2018 (University Malaya)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF INSTITUTION AND ECONOMIES, BOARD MEMBER
    2022 to 2024 (National)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • Best Presenter Award
    UNIMAS, 2016 (University)
  • Best Paper Award
    UNIMAS, 2016 (University)

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
WoS
  1. Thi Thu Cuc Nguyen; Thi Hoai Phuong Nguyen; Thi Bich Thuy Nguyen; Selvarajan, Sonia Kumari; Baskaran, Angathevar (2022). The impact of opportunity factors on fraudulent behavior in the Vietnamese stock market, JOURNAL OF ASIAN ECONOMICS. 79. doi:10.1016/j.asieco.2022.101451
Scopus
  1. Baskaran A., Dong T., Selvarajan S.K. (2022). Microfinance and Women s Empowerment in Myanmar, Institutions and Economies. 14(2), 59-90. doi:10.22452/IJIE.vol14no2.3
  2. Nguyen T.T.C., Nguyen T.H.P., Nguyen T.B.T., Selvarajan S.K., Baskaran A. (2022). The impact of opportunity factors on fraudulent behavior in the Vietnamese stock market, Journal of Asian Economics. 79. doi:10.1016/j.asieco.2022.101451
Others
  1. Ab-Rahim, R., Subramaniam, V.P.R., & Selvarajan S.K. (2020). Market structure and efficiency performance on ASEAN banks. Asia-Pacific Management Accounting Journal, 15(2), XXX-XXX.
  2. Chandran VGR, Nourani, M., Sonia K. & Baskaran A. (2020) Selective Research Funding Policy and Catching up the Ladder in University Research Performance in Malaysia, Managerial and Decision Economics, https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.3252
  3. Selvarajan, S. K. (2020). Driving development: revisiting Razak s role in Malaysia s economic progress [Book Review]. Asia Pacific Business Review , doi: 10.1080/13602381.2020.1745480
  4. Selvarajan, S. K., & Ab-Rahim, R. (2020). Financial Integration and Economic Growth: Should Asia Emulate Europe? Journal of Economic Integration, 35(1), 191-213
  5. Selvarajan, S. K., & Ab-Rahim, R. (2019). Economic liberalisation and Malaysian economic growth: the convergence club of Malaysia and ASEAN. Int. J. Economic Policy in Emerging Economies, Vol. 12 (6), 503 522.
  6. Selvarajan, S.K. (2019). Book Review Carol Realini and Karl Mehta, (eds.), Financial Inclusion: At the Bottom of the Pyramid, Institutions and Economies, 11(1): 129-131.
  7. Subramaniam, V.P R., Ab-Rahim, R., & Selvarajan, S. K. (2019). Financial Development, Efficiency and Competition of ASEAN Banking Market, Asia Pacific Social Science Review, 19(3), 185-202.
  8. Ab-Rahim, R. Selvarajan, S.K., Md Nor, N. G. & AM Dayang-Afizzah. (2018). Convergence clubs of economic liberalization in ASEAN, China, and India. Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia, 52(3), 137-151.
  9. Selvarajan, S. K., Ab-Rahim, R., & Md-Nor, N. G. (2018). Trade and Investment Convergence Clubs in East Asia Pacific. Institutions and Economies, 10(4), 91-108
  10. Selvarajan, S.K., Ab-Rahim, R., & Awg-Marikan, D.A. (2018). Does financial liberalization foster economic growth? Empirical evidence from ASEAN-6 countries. International Journal of Engineering and Technology, 7 (x), xxx-xxx.
  11. Selvarajan, S. K., & Ab-Rahim, R. (2017). Economic liberalization and its link to convergence: Empirical evidence from RCEP and TPPA countries. International Journal of Business & Society, 18(3), 439 - 460.
  12. Selvarajan, S. K., & Ab-Rahim, R. (2015). The Nexus between Economic Liberalisation and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from ASEAN, China, and India.
Books
  1. Selvarajan S.K. (2024). Navigating Sustainability: RCEP's Initiative for Sustainable Development Across Asia in 50 Years of Friendship, Jointly Working Towards the China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future.
Chapter in Books
  1. Chandran, V. G. R., Baskaran, A., & Selvarajan, S. K. (2022). Building the Solar Energy Market in Malaysia. Innovation Systems, Economic Development and Public Policy: Sustainable Options from Emerging Economies, 336.
  2. Selvarajan S.K (2023). Does Size Matter? Understanding a Nation's Income in Economics Made Simple For The Pandemic Era. Lim Thye Goh Et al. (Page 59-84). Universiti Malaya Press.
  3. Selvarajan, S.K. (2023). Advancing the ESG Agenda in China and Malaysia. In Neo, C.H. (1st ed.). Walk Along the Road: Ten Years of BRI (pp. 77-80). Vinlin Press Sdn. Bhd.
  4. Selvarajan, S.K. (2022). Financial Inclusion for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals in ASEAN: Prospects and Perils. In Rasiah, R., Krishnan, G., Rani, A, O. (Ed.) Financing Sustainability Critical Issues with East Asian Experiences. (pp.57-78). UMPress
Article in Proceeding
  1. Han, J. L. M., Foo, K. W. T., Rasep, R. M., & Selvarajan, S. K. (2017). Wage premiums in the digital economy: Evidence from Malaysia. Paper presented in the BNM Economics Research Workshop 2017 (pp. 1-31)
Other Publications
  1. Gopi Krishnan, Sonia Kumari, Chandran VGR & Keshminder J.S. (2024), Strengthening the Climate Financing Ecosystem in ASEAN, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community ASEAN Policy Brief, ASCC Research and Development Platform, Policy Brief #1, pp.1-11 - Policy Paper
  2. Krishnan, G., Selvarajan S.K., Subramaniam, S., Keshminder J.S. (2024). Accelerating Public Sector Support for Climate Financing in ASEAN. ASCC Research and Development Platform, pp. 1-11 - Policy Paper
  3. Selvarajan S.K. (2022, April 11). Accelerating Sustainable Finance in China and Malaysia. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/search-scholar-series/2022/04/11/accelerating-sustainable-finance-in-china-and-malaysia - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  4. Selvarajan S.K. (2022, August 1). Advancing the ESG agenda in China and Malaysia. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/search-scholar-series/2022/08/01/advancing-the-esg-agenda-in-china-and-malaysia. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  5. Selvarajan S.K. (2022, March 7). Catalyzing Financial Connectivity through the Belt and Road Initiative. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/search-scholar-series/2022/03/07/catalyzing-financial-connectivity-through-the-belt-and-road-initiative - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  6. Augustin Robin. (2021, Dec 16). Digital banking licences a gamechanger for micro SMEs. FMT. Available at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/12/16/digital-banking-licenses-a-gamechanger-for-micro-smes/. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  7. Selvarajan, Sonia Kumari. (2021, Dec 20). China encourages green financing in Malaysia through BRI . The Star. Available at https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/columnists/search-scholar-series/2021/12/20/china-encourages-green-financing-in-malaysia-through-bri. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)
  8. Tan Eu Chye, Kuppusamy Singaravelloo, Roza Hazli Zakaria & Sonia Kumari Selvarajan (2021). Malaysian Informal Sector: How are they covered against main contingencies?. KWSP. https://www.kwsp.gov.my/documents/20126/153714/Social_Protection_Insight_Vol.5_2021.pdf/ddae99a2-bddd-4aee-4fbb-f85b1b3eddbf?t=1637510821637 - Policy Paper
  9. Selvarajan, S.K. (2020). Covid-19: Digital financing may become a useful tool. Retrieved from https://focusmalaysia.my/opinion/covid-19-digital-financing-may-become-a-useful-tool/. - Mass Media(Newspaper,Radio,Tv,Popular Magazine)

RESEARCH PROJECT

National
  1. 2018 - 2019, SSRC
    RESEARCH ON THE MALAYSIAN INFORMAL SECTOR ( Consultant)
International
  1. 2018 - 2022, International Funding
    Catching Up along the Global Value Chain: models, determinants and policy implications in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution ( Consultant)

PAPER PRESENTED

INVITED SPEAKER
  1. Financial Integration and Economic Growth: Should Asia Emulate Europe?, Conference on Economic Integration in Asia and Europe: Lessons and Recommended Policies for the special issue of Journal of Economic Integration (JEI), Asian Development Bank (International) (28 Oct 2019 - 29 Oct 2019)
POSTER PRESENTER
  1. The Middle-Income Trap in Malaysia: Evidence from Convergence Club between ASEAN, China and India Countries., UNIMAS Innovation & Technology Expo 2017, Research & Innovation Management Centre, UNIMAS (National) (17 May 2017 - 18 May 2017)
  2. Is Trump's Victory a Blessing in Disguise? Evidence from TPPA and RCEP, UNIMAS Innovation & Technology Expo 2017, Research & Innovation Management Centre, UNIMAS (National) (17 May 2017 - 18 May 2017)
  3. Market Liberalization in ASEAN, UNIMAS R&D Expo, UNIMAS (University) (14 Apr 2015 - 15 Feb 2018)
PRESENTER
  1. Efficiency evaluation of academic institutions: A case of Malaysian Universities, 17th International Schumpeter Society, Department of Economics, Seoul National University (International) (02 Jul 2018 - 04 Jul 2018)
  2. Trade and Financial Convergence Club in East Asia Pacific. , The International Conference of Applied Economics and Policy (ICAEP), University of Malaya (International) (21 Aug 2017 - 22 Aug 2017)
  3. The Nexus between Financial Liberalization and Economic Growth in ASEAN-6., Asia International Multidisciplinary Conference, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (National) (01 May 2017 - 02 May 2017)
  4. Trade and Financial Convergence Club in East Asia Pacific, Borneo Business Research Colloquium 2016 (BBRC), UNIMAS (University) (07 Dec 2016 - 08 Dec 2016)
  5. Economic Liberalization Convergence in ASEAN, China And India, The 18th Malaysian Finance Association Annual Conference (MFAC) 2016 and the 7th Islamic Banking, Accounting And Finance Conference (IBAF) 2016, Islamic Banking, Accounting And Finance  (National) (29 May 2016 - 31 May 2016)
  6. Economic Liberalization and Economic Growth in ASEAN, China And India, Asian Academy of Management International Conference, Universiti Sains Malaysia (International) (02 Oct 2015 - 04 Feb 2018)
  7. Market Liberalization and Convergence Among Developing Economies. , The International Borneo Business Conference, UNIMAS (International) (20 Aug 2014 - 21 Aug 2014)
  8. Analysis of Malaysia's Human Development Index, Prosiding Perkem VI, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.  (University) (11 May 2011 - 12 May 2011)

ACADEMIC/PROF. SERVICES

Evaluation
  1. (2024) Unveiling The Nexus Between Government Guarantees and The Ripple Effects of Economic Landscapes, National, (Reviewer)
  2. (2021) Review: Financial Literacy and Quality of Life: a Moderated Mediation Approach of Fintech Adoption and Leisure, International, (Reviewer)
  3. (2021) Review The Manuscript, "Does Recomposed Institutions Quality Alleviate Extreme Income Inequality?, National, (Reviewer)
  4. (2021) Review Paper No. Rajs-2021-0170 ICT Impact and Firm Size: Empirical Results from Vietnam, International, (Reviewer)
  5. (2021) Reviewing Manuscript # Id 29912, National, (Reviewer)
  6. (2018) Sesi lawatan latihan industri bagi 3 orang pelajar , (Internal Examiner)
  7. (2018) Effects of Structural and Agency Factors on the Success of Social Enterprises in Malaysia , (Internal Examiner)
  8. (2018) The Contribution of Financial Development on Income Inequality and Poverty: Empirical Evidence from the ASEAN Economy, (Reviewer)
  9. (2018) A study of Microfinance and Empowerment of Women in Myanmar, (Internal Examiner)
  10. (2018) Is there Convergence Club within ASEAN? , (Reviewer)
  11. (2018) An Evaluation of Financing Without Collateral to Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia: A Conceptual Framework , (Reviewer)
Contribution to external organisation
  1. (2022) Guest Lecture, International, (Research Fellow/Associate)
Contribution to event
  1. (2022) Moderator for 2 Sessions in a Conference, International, (Panelist/Moderator)
Media appearance
  1. (2022) Promoting Financial Inclusivity Through Cashless Payments, National, (Interview)
  2. (2021) Interview With Fmt Malaysia, National, (Interview)

SUPERVISION

Postgraduate Student
PhD/ Doctoral
  1. (2020) RESEARCH ON THE DETERMINANTS OF UNIVERSITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN CHINA AND MALAYSIA, HAI ZHU
  2. (2020) Development Model of Entrepreneurial University and Research on Transformation and Development of Local Undergraduate Universities, Xiaoying Chen
  3. (2020) a study on the impact of collaborative innovation networks on business performance, Hongwei Li
Master
  1. (2019) To be confirmed, SAARANI A/P VENGADESEN
  2. (2018) Government assistance towards firm s performance among SMEs in Klang Valley, Azim Bin Azhar
Under Graduate Students
  1. (2018) Financial Inclusion and Growth in Asia
  2. (2018) Financial development and inequality in Malaysia
  3. (2018) Financial development and growth in ASEAN

TEACHING

Bachelor
  1. (2022) EIC3005 - Agricultural Development
  2. (2022) EIC3002 - Analysis of Development Projects
  3. (2019) EIC2003 - Microfinance and Social Enterprise
  4. (2019) EIC3008 - Agriculture Business Management
  5. (2019) EIC3012 - Growth and Distribution
  6. (2018) EIA1004 - Development Economics
  7. (2018) EIC3008 - Agriculture Business Management
  8. (2018) EIC3012 - Growth and Distribution
  9. (2018) EREE3304 - Agribusiness Management
  10. (2018) EREE3311 - Growth and Distribution