Feng-Hsu Lee, a Taiwanese composer, has received numerous awards, among them, the first prize of the Washington International Competition for Composition (2012), the runner-up of the Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute (2010), the Anthony and Carolyn Donato Prize of the Eastman School of Music (2008), the second prize in the Literature and Arts Creation Award of the Ministry of Education in Taiwan (2008), the first prize of the Taipei Percussion Composition Competition (2002), the first prize of the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra International Composition Competition (2001), etc. Until now, he has accepted commissioned works from the Council for Cultural Affairs Taiwan, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, Evergreen Symphony Orchestra, YinQi Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Association of Vocal Artists of R.O.C., Central Connecticut State University Chamber Players, Performance 20/20 of the Hartt School, Taipei Century Choir, Tabernacle Women’s Choir, Taiwanese Choral Society of Rochester, Chiasong Ensemble, Sharing Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Youth String Orchestra, Lien Percussion, Sylvanus Ensemble, Composition VII Saxophone Quartet, Ensemble Yeon, The Woven Sounds, and Oboe Duo Agosto. Currently he works as a senior lecturer in Department of Music, Faculty of Creative Arts at Universiti Malaya. He holds the degrees of music composition from The Hartt School (DMA), Eastman School of Music (MM), National Taiwan Normal University (MFA) and Soochow University (BL, Music), studying with Larry Alan Smith, Stephen Michael Gryc, Robert Carl, David Macbride, Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon, Carlos Sánchez-Gutiérrez, and Gordon Shi-Wen Chin. For more information, please visit his website: http://fenghsulee.com

Started his research career in the think tank sector, Dr. Lee Chee Leong (Karl) is attracted to the rise of non-traditional diplomacy in the international order today. Such appeal has taken Dr. Lee into new research horizons that started with his Monash University's doctoral research on the Chinese sub-state diplomacy in China-ASEAN economic cooperation. With constructive supervision by Professor Helen Nesadurai and Associate Professor Kuik Cheng Chwee, Dr. Lee completed his doctoral thesis that unravels how a faraway and least developed sub-state of Guangxi managed to overcome its own hurdles, navigate the complexities within the Chinese state and become the frontline actor in China-ASEAN economic cooperation. Following his doctoral completion, Dr. Lee's research on non-traditional diplomacy has expanded into Taiwan’s quasi-state diplomacy in Southeast Asia. Such quest has led him spending at great length in comprehending the concept of soft power, a concept that finds its relevance to Taiwan, which has no official diplomatic with Southeast Asia but is heavily connected to the region and has to rely on soft power in its engagements with these Southeast Asian nations. Taking Malaysia as the first case study of Taiwan's soft power in the region, Dr. Lee is developing the third intervening variable correlating both Taiwanese soft power resources and outcomes, in his course of providing a dynamical explanation for such phenomenon. For the coming years, his research focus and publications will be on the different areas featuring Taiwan-Malaysia and Taiwan-Southeast Asia cooperation such as digital social innovation (DSI) for climate change, industry-based education/training programmes, smart cities, tourism, digital democracy, agriculture, public health and medicine, ornamental aquaculture and aquascape. To date, Dr. Lee was the recipient of several scholarships and fellowships in Malaysia and overseas: University of Malaya’s Graduate Fellowship (2010-2011); Monash University’s Merit Scholarship (2016-2019); Chinese Government Scholarship (2018-2019); and Taiwan Fellowship (2020). Prior to his appointment as Senior Lecturer at the Institute of China Studies (ICS), he was the Visiting Scholar at Guangxi University for Nationalities (GXUN) (2018-10992019), Taiwan Fellow at National Chengchi University (NCCU) (2020) and Associate Fellow at ICS UM (2016-2019).He welcomes any potential PhD candidate who would like to work on Taiwan-Southeast Asia relations, Taiwan's soft power in Southeast Asia and Taiwan-Malaysia DSI cooperation for climate change. He is also willing to discuss with potential doctoral candidates on proposals related to the Chinese sub-state (provincial) diplomacy toward ASEAN, China's soft power in ASEAN, Southeast Asian sub-state diplomacy, comparative cases of sub-state diplomacy around the world and conceptual innovation of sub-state diplomacy as well as soft power. 

Dr. Farazila Binti Yusof, or Fara as she is affectionately known was born and raised in the scenic town of Muar, Johor, Dr. Farazila Binti Yusof has carved a distinguished path in the academic and engineering worlds. Known for her profound dedication and expertise, Fara’s journey from a curious village girl in Muar to an influential academic leader is a story of passion, dedication, and perseverance. Dr. Farazila embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor’s Degree in CAD/M Engineering, followed by a Master of Engineering Science at Universiti Malaya, and culminating in a Doctor of Engineering at Japan. Each step in her educational path fortified her foundation and fueled her commitment to advancing the engineering field. Currently serving as the Executive Director at the Centre of Foundation Studies in Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Dr. Farazila has held several pivotal positions within the university. Prior to her current role, she was the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department from 2021 to 2022 and the Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies at the Faculty of Engineering from 2019 to 2021. Her leadership roles are characterized by visionary guidance and a relentless pursuit of excellence in engineering education and research. Dr. Farazila is a renowned scholar in the fields of welding, joining, and additive manufacturing. Her academic contributions include supervising over 25 PhD candidates and 7 masters students, alongside publishing more than 120 refereed journal articles. Her work not only advances the state of engineering but also mentors the next generation of engineers and researchers. When she is not immersed in her academic and professional endeavors, Dr. Farazila enjoys traveling. Her travels are not just escapes but also another way for her to explore and understand the engineering marvels of the world, blending her personal interests seamlessly with her professional passions. Her vision in the future to become a leading expert in advanced manufacturing technology specifically in additive manufacturing which contributing to efficient, safer and sustainable manufacturing process as well as mentoring the next generation of technology professionals.