ICMS Faculty Forum: Celebrating Scholarship Excellence and Grants

The recent ICMS Faculty Forum provided an opportunity to recognise the achievements of academic staff who have made significant contributions to research and education.  

In May, three scholars were honoured for their work, with awards presented by Associate Professor Betul Sekendiz, Associate Dean (Scholarship), who also shared insights into the institution’s approach to scholarship. 

Scholarly Practice Grant: Dr Jae Won Kang

Dr Jae Won Kang, Senior Program Manager for Sports and Property, received the Scholarly Practice Grant for the Term 1, 2026 round.  

His research focuses on the interdisciplinary applications of AI technologies in the property sector and includes collaborations with Western Sydney University. 

Dr Kang will present three papers at the 2026 Asian Real Estate Society and Global Chinese Real Estate Congress in Hangzhou, China.  

Reflecting on his research, Dr Kang highlighted the importance of engaging with international research communities and building collaborations.  

He also spoke about how his research informs his learning and teaching practices.  

“As a senior program manager, I ensure my role includes not only content-based aspects but also building strong connections with industry,” he explained. 

Scholarship Excellence Award: Dr Ahmad Usman Shahid

Dr Ahmad Usman Shahid, Program Manager for Business and Accounting, was awarded the Scholarly Excellence Award for his contributions to the advancement of field through high-quality peer-reviewed journal publications in 2025.  

Dr Shahid’s work reflects his commitment to advancing the field of business and accounting through sustainable and ethical practices and supporting the academic community at ICMS. 

Scholarship Excellence Award: Dr Richard Carter

Dr Richard Carter, Senior Lecturer of Hospitality Management and Strategic Management, was also recognised with a Scholarship Excellence Award for his contribution to the advancement of field through the publication of a high-quality scholarly book chapter in 2025.  

Dr Carter described the experience as a chance to revisit and reflect on his academic journey, offering a thoughtful perspective on the value of academic work. 

Defining Scholarship at ICMS

After presenting the awards, Associate Professor Sekendiz spoke about ICMS’s approach to scholarship, explaining how it aligns with the Institution’s mission and values.  

“TEQSA doesn’t really want to restrict how institutions define scholarship,” she said.  

“They expect institutions to come up with their own definitions that are unique to their own contexts.” 

At ICMS, scholarship is defined as activities by academic staff that aim to gain new knowledge, contribute to advancement of knowledge or professional practice, and disseminating these advances to benefit students, industry and communities.  

Sekendiz outlined the key areas of support for scholarship at ICMS, including gaining new knowledge through industry and academic conferences or training, advancing disciplineknowledge through original research, and contributing to professional practice through industry engagement. 

“Teaching informed by scholarship is where we integrate the knowledge we gain through scholarship into the classroom,” she said.  

“This helps our students achieve greater graduate outcomes, making them more employable as they move into the workforce.” 

Sekendiz also emphasised the importance of impact, noting that scholarship supports students in developing critical thinking skills and applied knowledge for professional practice.  

“Through our scholarship, we ensure we are current in our disciplines, which builds trust and confidence in the classroom,” she said.  

“Ultimately, we are shaping ethical, responsible professionals who will contribute to society.” 

Recognising Excellence in Scholarship

The awards highlighted the contributions of ICMS staff to research and education, as well as the institution’s commitment to creating a culture of scholarship.  

Associate Professor Sekendiz concluded by reflecting on the broader purpose of academic work.  

“We are playing a very key role in shaping society and how that’s going to look in the future,” she said.  

Learning and teaching informed by scholarship ensures critical inquiry and planning with an impact mindset. “Are (our students) going to be ethical professionals? Responsible leaders? This is how we achieve impact through the scholarship and the work we do in the background.”