Research Forum on Microfinance and Poverty Alleviation: Is it a myth? by Dr Senthil Kumar T, Associate Professor and Programme Head of Postgraduate Programs, School of Accounting and Finance, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Malaysia on January 27, 2023.

A Research Forum on ‘Microfinance and Poverty Alleviation: Is it a myth?’ was organised from 3.30 to 4.50 PM on Friday, Jan 27, 2023, for second-year MBA students. Dr Senthil Kumar T, Associate Professor and Programme Head of Postgraduate Programmes, School of Accounting and Finance, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Malaysia, explained the theoretical foundation related to the concept of microfinance and the empirical research studies done so far. Describing the objectives of his recent research, he said that it was primarily focused on measuring the impact of microfinance on borrowers’ poverty in the countries of Malaysia and Bangladesh. Dr Senthil Kumar T explained that the research findings revealed that there was a significant difference between the borrowers’ and non-borrowers business revenue, fixed assets, health, confidence and honour. He concluded that microfinance had a more positive impact on poverty compared to other sources of capital such as unorganized lenders and based on the research findings, the final recommendation was for the continuance and support of microfinance. Dr Senthil Kumar T. answered the queries raised by the students and faculty members related to the research outcomes. The programme was organized by Dr K.R.Senthilvelkumar and Dr P. Thamarai Selvi.