Dr. Adibi Md. Nor is a marine biologist and aquaculturist with over 20 years of experience in the fisheries sector. Beginning his career with the Department of Fisheries (DOF), he has dedicated his professional life to advancing sustainable aquaculture and marine science innovation. Currently, he serves as the Head of Biodiversity for Sustainable Economy, Centre of Excellence, and PhD Programme Coordinator at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Throughout his career as a policymaker, scientist, and business development leader with the agri/aquaculture company, he has developed a deep understanding of and a strong background in food security and agri/aquaculture, specialising in addressing the challenges and complexities of the global food system. This breadth of experience has shaped his insights into the flow of using scientific evidence in the policy-making process. To ensure sustainability and share his expertise with society, Dr Adibi has developed the Student Holistic Empowerment (SHE) academic course known as Nasi Lemak and Food Systems at Universiti Malaya. Dr. Adibi’s work focuses on integrating nature-based solutions into aquaculture and coastal resource management, emphasising harmony between economic growth and ecological resilience. His approach promotes the restoration and sustainable use of marine ecosystems — including seaweed cultivation, sustainable aquaculture, and Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) — as practical strategies to enhance livelihoods while protecting biodiversity. A strong advocate for community participation, Dr. Adibi works closely with local fishers and coastal communities to build inclusive aquaculture models that empower people through sustainable income generation. His efforts reflect a commitment to creating a biodiversity-driven economy, where ecosystem health underpins long-term economic stability and social equity. At Universiti Malaya, he leads research and policy dialogues that bridge science, sustainability, and development. Through his leadership, the Biodiversity for Sustainable Economy initiative seeks to translate research into action — fostering innovation that addresses the challenges of climate change, food security, and marine conservation. He has published widely on seaweed and fisheries research related to policy, biology, and value chain aspects. He was appointed as a reviewer for the International Journal of Food Science & Technology, the Journal of Aquaculture, Fish, and Fisheries, the Journal of Quality and Quantity, the Journal of Applied Phycology, the Journal of Socioeconomics and Development, and Botanica Marina in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. He was a consultant for international and local seaweed projects from 2019 until 2025 and a scientific advisor and business development planner for the Abalone Aquaculture Company in 2018. Driven by a belief that environmental stewardship and economic progress must go hand in hand, Dr. Adibi continues to inspire collaborative solutions for a sustainable blue economy. His work stands as a testament to the transformative power of biodiversity and nature-based approaches in shaping a resilient and inclusive future. Currently, he is actively pursuing innovation in seaweed cultivation as nature-based solutions (website: https://drcweedaquasolutions.com/). Endearingly, his social media pages (Facebook and Instagram) are called Dr C+Weed, which he started in July 2021 as a forum for conversing with and educating people about seaweed. Dr Adibi intends to make seaweed a superfood to combat global and local food security issues. His publications and research areas can be accessed at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Adibi_Nor Current Research Endeavours: Seaweed Cultivation for Blue Carbon: Advancing Sustainable Decarbonization Efforts. Evaluating Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Implementation Among Malaysian Aquaculturists, Using the Quantitative Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) Survey Technique.   Sea Grapes Seaweed Cultivation Offers Avenue Toward Greater Food Security, Healthier Diets, and Better Nutrition in Malaysia. Seaweed Cultivation for Climate Mitigation, Food Security, and Local Community Development in Abandoned Shrimp Ponds in Kota Kuala Muda, Kedah, Malaysia Food Security in Malaysia: The Effect of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Paddy and Rice Industry in Malaysia. The Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Approach Using Land-Based Farming System Between Seaweed and Marine Finfish. Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) on GlobalSeaweedSTAR program: Safeguarding the Future of the Seaweed Industry in Developing Countries.  Influence of Black Soldier Fly Larvae and Gracilaria sp. seaweed on Physiological and Fillet Quality of Tilapia, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS). Developing Regenerative Aquaculture in Southeast Asia. Seaweed Cultivation: A Nature-Based Solution to Climate Change and Food Insecurity. Revitalising the Malaysia Seaweed Industry through the Blue Economy.        

Professor Dr. Maya Khemlani David (Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya) received the Linguapax Award in 2007 and   is an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, United Kingdom and an Honorary Member of the Foundation of Endangered Languages. As a sociolinguist, Dr. David has a special interest in discourse analysis, languages in Malaysian minority communities, and the role of language in establishing and maintaining national unity within and across cultures. She is a Visiting Scholar, College for Women and also consultant (ELT) for Kinnaird College, both in Lahore, Pakistan. She also is Hon. Academic Consultant, London College of Clinical Hypnosis. She holds an Executive Diploma in Coaching and also in Counselling.  Her publications include Malaysian Indian: Sociocultural Assimilation towards the Malay Majority (2012, Tanjung Malim, UPSI), Leadership Discourse of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad (2010, Shah Alam, UPENA ), Code-Switching in Malaysia ( 2009,Frankfurt, Peter Lang) and The Sindhis of Malaysia: A Sociolinguistic Account (2001, London, ASEAN), and her co-edited and edited publications are National Planning and Language Shifts in Malaysian Minority Communities: Speaking in Many Tongues(2011,IIAS/ICAS, University of Amsterdam Press), Politeness in Malaysian Family Talk (2008, Serdang: UPM), Language and Human Rights: Focus on Malaysia (2007, Serdang: UPM), Language and the Power of the Media (2006, Frankfurt, Peter Lang), Language Choices and Discourse of Malaysian Families: Case Studies of Families in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2006, Petaling Jaya, Strategic International and Research Development Centre), Teaching of English in Second and Foreign Language Settings: Focus on Malaysia (2004, Frankfurt, Peter Lang) and Developing Reading Skills (2002, Kuala Lumpur: Melta/Sasbadi). Dr. David can be contacted at: mayadavid@yahoo.com Areas of Specialisation • Cross-Cultural Communication • Discourse Analysis • English for Specific Purposes • Language Maintenance and Language Shift • Language of the Elderly • Language and Human Rights

Dr. Seuk Wai PHOONG is an Associate Professor in the Department of Decision Science, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. She is a member of the Malaysian Mathematical Science Society (PERSAMA). Her research interests include applied statistics, econometrics, technology adoption, and education. She has led 10 research projects out of 26 research grants. She has published papers in various WoS and Scopus journals, such as Sage Open, Artificial Intelligence Review, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, PLOS One, International Journal of Mobile Communications, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, etc. She is also an academic editor for several journals, including PLOS One, Asian Journal of Business and Accounting, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications and SAGE Open. She teaches Business Statistics and Quantitative Analysis for Business at the undergraduate level; Research Methodology, Statistical Analysis, Operational Research and Theories and Issues in Business and Economics at the postgraduate level.