Dr. Sharifah Muhairah Shahabudin is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Public Administration and Development Studies at the Faculty of Business & Economics, University of Malaya. She earned her PhD from the same university’s Faculty of Economics and Administration in 2014, following a Master of Science in Administration from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UITM) and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Canterbury University, New Zealand. Her research focuses on socioeconomics, social stratification, gender, youth development, and entrepreneurship, with numerous publications in both local and international journals, as well as media contributions in these areas. She is also an active member of the Gender Budget Group, an initiative led by Engender Consultancy and Women’s Aid Organisation to advance gender-responsive budgeting in national policy. Before joining academia, Dr. Sharifah spent a decade in various professional roles, including as a Research Assistant with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Malaysia, where her work on the *Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship* project sparked her interest in research, ultimately leading to her doctoral studies. Her commitment to development issues continues to drive her research and publications today.

Dr. Muhamad Fazly Abdul Patah has been a distinguished member of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Malaya since 2012. Dr. Fazly obtained his BEng and PhD from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. His primary research focus is on the production of sustainable chemicals and energy alternatives, specifically through the conversion of low-value materials and waste into valuable products such as char/biochar, liquid fuels, and hydrogen-rich gases. Dr. Fazly’s contributions to the field of chemical engineering and sustainability are substantial. His pioneering work in thermochemical processing and waste upcycling has established him as a leading researcher in the development of sustainable energy solutions. His publications and media appearances reflect the significance and applicability of his research, which continues to influence both academic and industrial practices. Dr. Fazly is actively engaged in supervising Masters and PhD research students, contributing to advancements in engineering and environmental sustainability. He has been involved in over RM 5.0 million worth of research projects, leading multiple national and international initiatives. The projects span several key areas including: Thermochemical Reaction: Including torrefaction, pyrolysis, gasification, combustion, and liquefaction processes. Chemical Upcycling: Transforming plastics, biomass, rubber, and municipal wastes into higher-value products. Ozone Gas Applications: For sterilization and water treatment. Catalysis and Chemical Reactions: Optimization of chemical reactions and reactor design. Hydrodynamic Simulation: Utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for fluid flow simulation. Liquid Atomization/Spray: Both with and without reaction. Bioreactor Design: Development for mass production of medicinal mushrooms. Dr. Fazly remains an active researcher and collaborator, contributing to multiple projects aimed at advancing sustainable technologies and improving environmental management. For further details on his research or collaboration, please contact Dr. Fazly via email at fazly.abdulpatah@um.edu.my or visit him at the University of Malaya.

Dr. Nur Hairani Abd Rahman has been a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Administration at Universiti Malaya since 2017. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Universiti Sains Malaysia, a Master of Public Administration from Universiti Malaya, and a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Dr. Nur Hairani is highly regarded for her expertise in social policy, with particular focus on social care, governance, social inclusion and exclusion, inequality, and well-being. Beyond her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Nur Hairani plays an integral role in academic leadership. She currently serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Public Administration and Governance and sits on the Editorial Board of the Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. Her membership in the Social Policy Association in the United Kingdom further amplifies her influence on an international level. In addition to her academic contributions, Dr. Nur Hairani is actively engaged in administrative roles, including coordinating both the Outbound Mobility Program and the Master of Public Administration Program. She is also a member of various faculty and university committees, where she contributes to policy development and strategic planning. Nationally, Dr. Nur Hairani serves as a Field Expert for the Malaysian Research and Development Classification System (MRDCS) under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI). She has also been involved in consultancy projects aimed at poverty eradication, funded by Malaysia’s Economic Planning Unit. Her international experience includes serving as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Messina in Sicily, Italy. In 2023, she was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, allowing her to join the University of California, Berkeley, as a Visiting Scholar. Dr. Nur Hairani’s dedication to her field has earned her numerous accolades, including the Excellent Service Award (2022) and the Certificate of Excellent Service (2021) from Universiti Malaya. She was also recognized with the Best Presenter Award at the Asian Universities Alliance & Universitas Indonesia (2021). Her research has been published in high-impact journals indexed in Web of Science and Scopus, including Public Policy and Administration and Ageing International. For more information on Dr. Nur Hairani Abd Rahman’s work, please visit her profile at UM Expert, or reach out to her directly at nurhairani@um.edu.my.