I hold a PhD in Politics and International Relations from the University of Aberdeen, UK. My doctoral thesis investigates the interplay between political modernisation and ecological modernisation in a developing country. It engages with modernisation theories while highlighting country-specific dynamics and offers theoretical and empirical insights into how the lack of political institutionalisation affects environmental decision-making, particularly in Malaysia. I am an Associate Fellow of the UK’s Advance HE. I worked as a teaching assistant in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Aberdeen for two academic years, during which my teaching experience spanned interdisciplinary modules in Politics, International Relations, and Sociology. Prior to entering academia, I served as Editor-in-Chief of an independent news website in Malaysia. I have authored, co-authored, edited, or co-edited four books on civil society, social movements, and environmental movements in Malaysia and Singapore. My current research areas include political modernisation, development, and institutionalisation, as well as environmental governance and misgovernance.

Dr. Tang Li Yoong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya (UM). Her academic expertise encompasses Renal Nursing, Nursing Research and Statistics, Nursing Education, and Clinical Nursing. She has extensive experience supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students in both clinical settings and nursing research, and has made substantial contributions to nursing education and professional practice. Since 2018, Dr. Tang has served as an Assessor for the Nursing Board Malaysia, where she plays a key role in curriculum evaluation and accreditation visits to public and private nursing institutions nationwide. Through this role, she ensures that nursing education programmes comply with professional, regulatory, and quality assurance standards, while remaining responsive to the evolving needs of the healthcare system. Dr. Tang’s research portfolio demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing nursing education, patient safety, and healthcare quality. She has led and co-led several funded research projects, including studies on online learning in nursing education (PV039-2021) and psychosocial and behavioural interventions for infection prevention in intensive care units (TR001A-2020). She is currently the Principal Investigator of a Green Health and Sustainability research project, which aims to integrate sustainable practices into nursing education and healthcare delivery in alignment with global sustainability goals. In addition, she has contributed as a co-researcher to multiple university- and nationally funded research grants. In terms of academic leadership and administration, Dr. Tang has held several key positions, including Head of the Department of Nursing Science (January 2024–December 2025), Programme Head for the Bachelor of Nursing Science (2013–2023), and member of the Public University Nursing Board. She has also served as course coordinator for core nursing courses, notably Nursing Research and Statistics, reflecting her commitment to academic excellence and curriculum quality. Dr. Tang is actively engaged in departmental and university-level task forces and committees, contributing to policy formulation, curriculum enhancement, and academic governance. She is a dedicated postgraduate supervisor, providing active supervision to Master’s and PhD students, and a mentor to early-career researchers, supporting research capacity building within the nursing profession. In summary, Dr. Tang Li Yoong is a distinguished nursing academic and leader whose expertise, leadership, and scholarly contributions have significantly advanced nursing education, research, and clinical practice in Malaysia and internationally.

Dr. Zaira Zaman Chowdhury is working as a Senior Lecturer in  Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), a potential National HICOE and UM COE. Earlier, she was appointed as Senior Research Fellow under the same institution. She has completed her Post Doctoral Research Fellowship from 1/10/2013-31/03/2015 in Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), University Malaya. Previously, she was appointed as Research Officer in Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), University Malaya from 1/04/2013 to 30/09/2013.  She has started her career with University Malaya from November 2008 Research Assistant in the Department of Chemistry under supervision of Prof. Dr. Sharifuddin Mohd. Zain. She received her PhD in Environmental Analytical Chemistry from University of Malaya in 2013, whilst MSc. In Polymer Engineering and Technology from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2003, and BSc. in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Technology from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2001 and Bachelor in Education (BEd.) in 2007 from Royale University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She has completed her training in Environmental Analytical Chemistry from TAFE, Sydney, Australia. She has received Cambridge International Diploma for Teacher & Trainers (CIDTT) from Cambridge University, UK with “Distinction” in 2006-2007. She has experience in the development of fiber polymer composites, waste water treatment and adsorbent preparation for batch and fixed bed adsorption system. She has worked for synthesis of micro and nano structured carbon and biomass processing using catalyst. She has conducted some research to illustrate the catalytic application of carbon as well as extraction of nano and micro dimensional cellulose. She has contributed more than 117 papers in ISI & Scopus top ranking journal with 95 international Conference Proceedings. At present she is guiding 12 PhD and 11 Mphil scholars. She has 49,715.65 RM International Grant achieved from International Industries and Universities. As a Principal investigator, she had 163,336 RM earlier. At present  (2021) she had internal funding of 3,56,000 RM and external funding of 3,37,215.86 RM as PI and co-researcher.  She has 2 International Patent having H index 25.Dr. Zaira has received several esteemed award such as Dr. Zaira has received several esteemed award such as International Education Excellence Award in nanotechnology 2021 from CPAC from UK, , Distinguished  Researcher Award in  Nano-catalyis and Water Treatment, Excellent Scientific Award in 2020 for "Carbon Chemistry and Water Treatment, IMRF Brezileius Award in Nanotechnology and Catalysis 2019, India; Best Researcher Award in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 2019, India; ISPA Gunasekaran Award 2018, India; Best Scientist Award in Nanotechnology 2018,  India; Elsevier’s Atlas award in 2015, Gold Award and Silver Award from Malaysian Inventions and Design Society (MINDS) and University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP, 2013). She has received CIMA Appreciation Award from Malaysian Inventions and Design Society (MINDS) and University Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP, 2013). Recently she has received Bronze Award from International Engineering Innovation and Invention Exhibition (IENVEX), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP 2014). In 2016, she has received best paper award on Fourth Generation Nanoantioxidant Synthesis from New Zealand.