Professor Ramesh Singh has contributed immensely to the development and enhancement in science & technology in Malaysia, particularly in the field of ceramics engineering. Amongst his significant achievements include the development of an ageing resistant zirconia for steam environment, production of a novel nanostructured hydroxyapatite bioceramic derived from eggshells and bovine bones for orthopedic applications, and more recently is the tailoring of a novel electrical-conducive ceramic that is able to conduct electric current at room temperature without compromising on the mechanical properties. His work has attracted great interest from the industres locally and internationaly. He has provided solutions to industrial problems and have developed new materials/products that exhibits enhance performace and reliability. He has published more than 300 research articles in various ISI/WoS- and Scopus-listed publications and his research group has secured more than RM15 million of research funding for numerous projects relating to materials development, advanced manufacturing and machining. Prof. Ramesh has filed numerous patents for his inventions and received many accolades as a distinguished scholar. He was the recipient of the prestigious IEM Young Engineer Award, MTSF Science & Technology Award 2014 and won more than 55 awards at international/national exhibitions pertaining to his research and inventions. He was recognized as the top 12 "Malaysia Engineer Stars" by the Institution of Engineers Malaysia for his notable contribution in the field of engineering education and advancement in ceramics engineering in the country. Prof Ramesh is a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering Council, UK, a Chartered Professional Engineer with Engineers Australia, a Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia and Fellow of five prominent professional societies. i.e. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers UK, Institution of Engineers Australia, Institution of Engineers Malaysia, Institute of Materials Malaysia and Malaysia Scientific Association. He is on the international Editorial Board of Ceramics International (a Web of Science, Tier 1, Elsevier Publication), the Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (a Scopus-listed publication), Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Institute of Materials Malaysia and Journal of Industrial Technology. Besides research excellence, Prof. Ramesh is also a distinguished professor in mechanical and materials engineering in the country. He is serving in numerous capacities as external assessor, professional mentor, resource person, external examiner, advisor and engineering accrediation panel. He holds a joint appointment as an Associate Director with the Engineering Accreditation Departmment, Board of Engineers Malaysia for his notable contribution in upholding the standards and quality of engineering education in Malaysia.      

Asyraf Isyraqi Bin Jamil is a Senior Lecturer at Islamic Education Programme, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Previously, he worked as Substitute Teacher at Sek. Men. Keb. Sg. Layar, Sungai Petani, Kedah and Instructional Designer for Arabic language courses at Al-Madinah International University (MEDIU), Shah Alam, Selangor. He was born in Kedah on April 30, 1984 (29 Rajab 1404 AH). His educational journey started at Islamic primary school of Ma'had al-Tarbiyyah al-Islamiyyah Dar al-Ma'arif, Sungai Petani, Kedah. Then, he attended Islamic secondary schools of Da'irah al-Ma'arif al-Wataniyyah (DMW), Kepala Batas, S.P.U., Pulau Pinang as well as Maktab Mahmud, Alor Setar, Kedah to complete his secondary education. He received the Arabic Language Certificate from Pusat Bahasa Arab, Nilam Puri, Kelantan and Diploma of Islamic Studies from Madrasah al-Hidayah and Majmak Ilmi Ali (MINDA), both in Sungai Petani, Kedah to start his educational journey at higher level. He continued his study and graduated with honors from al-Azhar University (Tafahna al-Ashraf Branch), Egypt and Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia, both in Islamic Studies. He was then offered to further study under scholarship of IPTA Academic Training Scheme from Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia and University of Malaya, before embarking on his career at the university itself. He is now a PhD-graduate from University of Malaya with areas of expertise in thought, institution, history, administration, and comparative of Islamic education. Born as a Malaysian, he is absolutely a native speaker of Malay language. He also speaks Arabic and English, both as his second intermediate languages. Moreover, he has the basic knowledge pertaining Persian, Turkish, and Mandarin languages.

Dr. Abubakar Abubakar Usman is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of International and Strategic Studies at Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia, where he specializes in globalization, development, and the politics of Africa and the Middle East. With a multidisciplinary academic background spanning International Relations, Diplomacy, and Islamic Finance, Dr. Usman is a prolific scholar whose work bridges theory and policy. Academic LeadershipDr. Usman currently serves as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, teaching Politics and International Relations of the Middle East. He has also been invited as a Guest Speaker at institutions such as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Nile University Nigeria, where he shared expertise on diplomacy, conflict resolution, and strategic studies. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking and real-world applicability, honed through roles as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and as an English instructor for Saudi Schools Kuala Lumpur. Research ContributionsA dedicated researcher, Dr. Usman has held prestigious fellowships, including as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at IIUM’s Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF), where he explored the intersection of Islamic finance and global development. As a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Africa Studies Circle at the Asia Middle East Centre for Research and Dialogue (AMEC), he fosters cross-civilizational dialogue and evidence-based policy recommendations. His research has been published in high-impact journals such as South African Journal of International Affairs, Global Society, and Contemporary Islam, and he has contributed chapters to Routledge and Palgrave Macmillan volumes on Islamic finance, African diplomacy, and human rights. Dr. Usman actively engages in peer review for Web of Science-indexed journals, including Security Journal and SN Social Sciences, and is currently developing two book projects: The Political Economy of Africa-Asia Relations (Routledge) and Coups in 21st Century Africa (Palgrave Macmillan). His doctoral thesis on Boko Haram’s media strategies and master’s research on Islamic finance as a development tool reflect his commitment to addressing pressing global challenges. Policy and Public EngagementBeyond academia, Dr. Usman is a sought-after commentator on African geopolitics, contributing to platforms like Africa@LSE, Daily Trust, and The Conversation. His analyses on ECOWAS, military coups, and Nigeria’s foreign policy have shaped public discourse. He has also served as an interpreter and translator for Malaysian government agencies, leveraging fluency in English, Arabic, and Hausa. Education and Honors PhD in International Relations (Globalization & Development), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Master of Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (CGPA: 4.00), UKM Master of Political Science (CGPA: 3.83), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) BA in Arabic/Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria Professional Affiliations Member, International Studies Association (ISA) Associate Member, International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS) For a full list of publications and research projects, visit his Google Scholar or ORCID profiles. Contact:Email: abubakar.usman@um.edu.my | Phone: +60 162417993Address: Department of International and Strategic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya