Born in Muar, Johor, Dr. Shafa is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Coordinator of Malay Studies at Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. She is a Guest Researcher affiliated with Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, Netherlands. Dr. Shafa was a Fellow at Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) for 2 years (2022-2023). Dr. Shafa experienced as Assistant Fellow (2006-2007) and College Fellow/Secretary (2008-2013) at Kolej Kediaman Tun Syed Zahiruddin (Ninth Residential College). In 2013-2019, Dr. Shafa lived in Leiden, Netherlands to continue her doctorate studies. Starting in January 2024 until present, Dr. Shafa serves as College Fellow/Treasurer at the same residential college.  Dr. Shafa obtained her Doctoral Degree from Leiden University, Netherlands on a thesis titled "Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice" under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Bernard Arps (promotor) and Dr. Suryadi (co-promotor) from Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, Netherlands. Dr. Shafa earned her Master of Malay Studies in Performing Arts and Bachelor of Science in Biohealth (Honors), both from Universiti Malaya. Dr. Shafa specialises in heritage/traditional music, Southeast Asia music history, alternative culture (including punk rock), arts community, popular media and music care. Currently, she is working on a project - music care for caregivers - with her team members from Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Business and Economics, Faculty of Creative Arts and Faculty of Education. This project is under IIRG grant (2022-2025). As an ethnographer whose research sites exist between the online and offline in hybrid fields, Dr. Shafa's interdisciplinary music and/or expressive culture research moves with performers, industry professionals and audiences. In 2023, Dr. Shafa published her book titled "Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice" (Publisher: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka). In 2016, Dr. Shafa with Associate Professor Dr. Salinah Ja'afar, Associate Professor Dr. Tengku Intan Marlina Tengku Mohd Ali and Datuk Dr. Zurinah Hassan (Malaysian National Laureate) published a book titled "Wacana Pantun Melayu" (Publisher: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka). In 2024, Dr. Shafa received Darjah Paduka Mahkota Perak (P.M.P.) in conjunction with Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah's 68th birthday. Dr. Shafa was awarded Anugerah Penggiat Seni (Seni Berbahasa) Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur in 2023, Anugerah Biduan Syair ASEAN in 2022 and Anugerah Bitara Syair Nusantara in 2021. Also, Dr. Shafa was awarded Skim Latihan Akademik Fellowships (2008-2011 & 2013-2016) from Universiti Malaya. Dr. Shafa is a traditional music practitioner in Malaysia and has recorded more than 300 songs. She experienced in performing music in Southeast Asian Countries, China, Tasmania and the Netherlands. Her videos of music performance can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/@syafasara/videos

Farid Wajdi Akashah is an Associate Professor at the Department of Building Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya, and a Senior Consultant at UPUM Sdn Bhd, specializing in fire safety, and building condition evaluations. In 2024, he was appointed as a Visiting Professor at the School of Architecture, Universidad de Navarra, Spain. He holds a Bachelor of Building Surveying from Universiti Malaya and a Ph.D. in Fire Safety Engineering from Ulster University. With over RM662,200 in research grants, his work has influenced fire safety policies, building codes, and risk mitigation strategies. He serves as one of Malaysia’s Representatives to ISO/TC 92/SC 4 Fire Safety Engineering and is a committee member for the National Standards Committee on Fire Safety and the Technical Committee on Passive Fire Safety Design under the Department of Standards Malaysia, contributing to both national and international fire safety standards. A lifetime member of IAFSS and MyRBS, he also serves on the UN-backed International Fire Safety Standards (IFSS) Coalition, supporting the Decade of Action for Fire Safety. A Registered Building Surveyor, MyCREST Qualified Professional, and certified Thermographer and NDT-UT Level I, he has led fire risk management, regulatory compliance audits, and building condition evaluations for projects exceeding RM6.88 million. Recognized with the Malaysian Young Building Surveyor Award (2016) and multiple Excellent Service Awards, he continues to advance fire safety, risk management, and regulatory improvements globally.

Dr Geetha Govindasamy obtained her PhD from  Monash University, Australia, M.A from the International University of Japan, M.Phil from Queens' College, Cambridge University, UK.  She is an expert on  East Asian international relations. She teaches  courses related to East Asian regional affairs. Generally, she publishes more on inter-Korean issues and East Asian interactions. Her publications  can be found in the local and international journals, UM Press and other reputable publishers. Thus far, she has been a recipient of various research grants from Korea Foundation, Sumitomo Foundation and local funding.  Her networking experiences include academic exchanges at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Korea University, Institute of Far Easter Studies (IFES), Kyungnam University and the Graduate Institute, Geneva (IHEID).  Dr Govindasamy was also invited to attend the Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) Exchange programe for acadermics in 2013 and in 2019, she was invited by the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan to be part of an academic tour to Tokyo and Okinawa.  Dr Govindasamy is a member of  Malaysian Scholars on Korea (MASK) and  the Malaysia-Japan Association (MAJAS) and simultaneously is the  Managing Editor of Wilayah: International Journal of East Asian Studies. At present, she is a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Peace and Cooperation.