Prof Dr Vikineswary started her academic career after completing her PhD in the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in 1989 as a lecturer.  She ventured into search, discovery and utilisation of indigenous microorganisms including actinomycetes and phototrophic bacteria for feed, feed or fine chemicals. Her research activities diversified and while studying the potential of mushrooms and in particular the white - rot fungi in environmental biotechnology, she had the opportunity to work with mushroom farmers.  Together with the growers, the Mushroom Research Association of Malaysia was founded in 2000 and as the founding  president she has highlighted the importance of mushrooms and the industry in Malaysia.  She is well known for the research conducted which includes systematic and bioactivity of marine actinomycetes, mushroom biology and their bioactive metabolites, phototrophic bacteria for bioremediation and as a live feed enhancer. She has  successfully trained 50 Masters and 20 PhD students and a number are currently pursuing their postgraduate studies under her supervision. Her research activities are sponsored by national and international grants including industrial funding.  Prof.  Vikineswary has won several awards for her research findings both in Malaysia and at International Exhibition.  She has collaboration with overseas scientists through CICHE, JSPS and EU programmes. She has published 265 papers in peer reviewed journals, proceedings, bulletins, chapters in books  and  books.  In recognition of her contribution in microbiology and active participation as member of the Malaysian Society for Microbiology she was elected as the first woman President of the Society in 2001. In 2014 she was nominated as one of the Top Research Scientist Malaysia by Academy Science Malaysia. In 2015 she was nominated as a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.

Dr. Syakirah Rifa’in@Mohd Rifain is a Senior Lecturer for Department of Arabic and Middle Eastern Languages at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, UM. She graduated from Islamic Science University of Malaysia in Arabic Language and Communication Studies. She obtained her Master in Modern Language Studies in Arabic Language, Universiti Malaya. She completed her PhD in Arabic Language at Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, UM. Her research interest area includes Balaghah, Pragmatic and Semantic. Currently, she is involved in research related to Arabic for Specific Purpose in University Malaya.

Faridah Othman is a registered Professional Engineer (PEng, Malaysia) and a Certified EIA Consultant (DOE, Malaysia).  She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Missouri (USA), Master and PhD from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK).  Her field of specialization is Water and Environmental Engineering. Her research interest includes water resources and management, water security, floods, river conservation and pollution control, water supply and sewerage, as well as hydro-environment. She has vast experience in computer modelling and simulations which includes flood, river and surface water quality. She is also interested in the Artificial Intelligence and Optimization models, along with  GIS and remote sensing application. She has over 25 years of teaching and supervising experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels., and successfully supervising more than 30 postgraduates inclusive of PhDs, Masters and Post Doctorate.  She has authored and co-authored more than 180 articles including journals, conferences and technical  reports in national and international publications.    She is a passionate and self-motivated researcher with a strong desire to build a career within the research  industry. In her career, she has been actively involved in numerous consultation projects with the relevant authorities and private companies, local and international.  Moreover, she is also doing research collaboration with industries, other universities, research institutions, and communities, to ensure that her research would benefit not only to the academic world but the nation, societies, and communities.