Dr. Mahani Haji Hamdan is a Senior Assistant Professor at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), specializing in Accounting and Finance. She holds various administrative roles, including Director of the Institute of Policy Studies. Her academic career spans over two decades, beginning as a Tutor and progressing to senior academic and leadership positions. Dr. Mahani has made significant contributions in public policy, corporate social reporting, and financial management research. In addition to her academic commitments, she actively engages in community services, such as consulting for Brunei’s public and private sectors. Her exemplary leadership and dedication to her field are reflected in her numerous awards and recognitions.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Mahani completed her Ph.D. in Management from Queensland University of Technology, Australia, in 2011. She also holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Leeds, and a BA (Hons) in Accounting & Financial Management from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom. She further enriched her academic journey through a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the prestigious Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley, USA, in 2015. Throughout her educational pursuits, Dr. Mahani has earned several accolades, including the Certificate of Best Research Higher Degree Student Award, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence.

Experience

Dr. Mahani began her career in finance as an Accounting Officer at the Employees’ Trust Fund, Ministry of Finance, Brunei, and later transitioned into academia. She joined Universiti Brunei Darussalam in 2004 as a Lecturer and steadily rose through the ranks to her current position as Senior Assistant Professor. Her leadership extends to roles such as Director of the Institute of Policy Studies and previously, Deputy Dean of UBD’s School of Business and Economics. In addition to teaching, she leads various research initiatives in public policy, finance, and management.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Mahani has been recognized with numerous awards throughout her career. In 1990, she was awarded the Best Student Award by Brunei SHELL. In 2010, she received the Certificate of Best Research Higher Degree Student Award from the Queensland University of Technology, Australia. Most recently, in 2024, Dr. Mahani was honored with the Outstanding Paper Award at the Emerald Awards for her research contributions. Her dedication to excellence in research and education has consistently earned her recognition in both national and international academic communities.

Research Focus

Dr. Mahani’s research interests include budgeting practices for SMEs, the adoption of International Accounting Standards (IAS), and public policy analysis in Brunei. She also explores performance management systems and corporate social reporting in relation to organizational justice. Additionally, she investigates sovereign wealth management and sustainable development policies. Her research often bridges the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical implementations, particularly in the public and private sectors of Brunei.

Publications

• “Post-Crisis Emerging Role of the Treasurer”
• “Is Brunei Ready to Adopt the International Accounting System?”
• “Sovereign Wealth Funds and Wealth Management in Brunei Darussalam”
• “Transformational Change in Brunei Higher Education”
• “Electricity Tariff Reforms, Welfare Impacts, and Energy Poverty Implications”
• “Working from Home, Covid-19, and Multi-Dimensional Model of Well-Being Theory”

Conclusion

Dr. Mahani Haji Hamdan is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her diverse academic expertise, leadership roles, and mentorship capabilities. Her experience in research across various disciplines and her contributions to public policy, supported by numerous awards and grants, position her as a leading figure in her field. To further strengthen her candidacy, increased international collaboration and more publications in top-tier journals may be beneficial.