Curtin University Malaysia to lead IJBEL’s global platform

Jason Tan (second left) and Professor Vincent Lee (second right) exchanging the signed Memorandum of Agreement, which was witnessed by Amelia Roziman (centre).

KUCHING, 20 January 2026: Management and operations of the International Journal of Business, Events and Legacies (IJBEL) has officially been handed over from Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) to Curtin University Malaysia, marking a key milestone in strengthening academic-industry collaboration in the business events sector. 

The formal handover was marked by an official agreement signing between BESarawak’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Jason Tan Chin Foo and Curtin University Malaysia’s Pro-Vice Chancellor, President and Chief Executive, Professor Vincent Lee Chieng Chen, which was witnessed by BESarawak’s CEO, Amelia Roziman. 

“The transfer of ownership reinforces BESarawak’s legacy principles of continuity and sustainability, enabling legacy-driven business events to evolve as a field of study,” said Jason Tan. “We will continue to support the journal through advocacy, promotion, and guidance to ensure that IJBEL lives on as shared, global intellectual capital.”

“This Memorandum of Agreement with Business Events Sarawak marks an important step in strengthening academic–industry collaboration to advance research, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership in business events and legacy studies. Through IJBEL, Curtin University Malaysia is proud to provide a credible, internationally aligned platform that brings together academic research and industry perspectives, while enhancing the visibility and impact of business events across academia, industry, and government,” stated Professor Vincent Lee. 

Established in 2022, IJBEL is the world’s first open-access journal focused on how business events create economic, social, environmental and cultural legacies. With the handover, Curtin University Malaysia will be assuming full managerial and operational responsibility while BESarawak will continue to be recognised as the Founding and Strategic Partner, reflecting its pivotal role in conceptualising and establishing IJBEL.