The IMU University marked a proud milestone as Prof Dr Haslee Sharil Lim Abdullah, Dean of the School of Psychology and Social Sciences (SOPSS), was featured as both Keynote Speaker and Panelist at the highly regarded National Counselling Conference (NICHE 2025), held from 11 to 13 November 2025 in Negara Brunei Darussalam. Organised by the Brunei Darussalam Counselling Association (PERKAB), this year’s conference centred on the powerful theme “Counselling at Work: Humanising the Workplace.”
NICHE 2025 brought together renowned professionals from across Southeast Asia, including counsellors, HR leaders, academicians, government representatives, and industry practitioners. The three-day event focused on strengthening workplace mental health systems, promoting the Workplace Paracounselor model, and fostering emotionally intelligent and resilient organisations.
Prof Sharil opened the conference with his impactful address, “Humanizing the Workplace for Higher Productivity and Elevated Happiness.” Drawing from his extensive experience as an educator, counsellor, and leader, he emphasised that organisational success must begin with human well-being.
He highlighted how pressures within modern workplaces often lead individuals to become “victims of inhumanity,” reminding the audience that love, compassion, humility, and kindness are essential elements of meaningful work.
His signature AFG Trilogy: Acceptance, Forgiveness, and Gratitude offered a practical and compassionate framework for integrating emotional wellness into everyday organisational culture. The keynote inspired participants to reimagine workplace ecosystems where psychological safety leads to higher productivity and sustained happiness.
Beyond his keynote, Prof Sharil was also featured in a high-level panel discussion titled “Humanizing the Workplace: Turning Counselling Principles into Practice.”
Together with distinguished regional leaders, he explored:
- Practical applications of counselling principles in leadership
- Strategies for building resilient, compassionate organisational cultures
- The importance of psychological safety and emotional presence
- Approaches for empowering employees as first-line emotional support through the Workplace Paracounselor model
His contributions bridged theory and practice, offering actionable insights for organisations across Southeast Asia seeking to embed well-being into their systems and operations. Prof Sharil’s prominent role at NICHE 2025 reinforces IMU’s position as a regional leader in mental health, counselling education, and organisational well-being. His participation at NICHE 2025 underscores IMU’s role in contributing to regional discussions on workplace well-being and mental health. It also supports ongoing academic connections between Malaysia, Brunei, and neighbouring countries, while opening avenues for future collaboration and knowledge sharing. This engagement further reinforces the work of SOPSS in psychology and counselling within the region. NICHE 2025 showcased not only Prof Sharil’s expertise, but also IMU’s dedication to developing human-centered, resilient, and compassionate workplaces.
As organisations across the region continue to navigate rapid change, his message remains clear: Humanising the workplace is not a luxury; it is the foundation of productivity, happiness, and sustainable success.
Written by Dr Thulasimani Munohsamy, SOPSS, IMU University
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