Mohammad Tariqur Rahman, Ph.D., is a Professor and Deputy Executive Director (Research and Innovation) at the International Institute of Public Policy and Management (INPUMA), University of Malaya (UM). Earlier, he served as a Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Science and Associate Dean of Continuing Education at the Faculty of Dentistry at UM. He holds a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, and M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Dhaka. He began his academic career at the Biotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, and was the Founding Chairman of the Department of Pharmacy at East West University, Dhaka. Before serving at the Department of Biotechnology, International Islamic University Malaysia, Prof. Tariq conducted postdoctoral research in Neuroscience at the University of Fukui. Prof. Tariq published extensively in the fields of oral microbiology, immunology, metallo-biochemistry, stem cell biology, and scientometrics. He has served in editorial roles, including Executive Editor of Annals of Dent UM, Chief Editor of Bangladesh Journal of Microbiology, and Associate Editor of Biological Trace Element Research. He was the Founding President of the Malaysian Society for Oral Microbiologists and Oral Immunologists (MySOMOI). In addition to academic publishing, Prof. Tariq is the author of Healthy Living in Islam: A Postmodern Perspective (ISBN: 978-99917-87-09-01), the lead editor of Immunology of Dentistry (ISBN: ISBN: 978-1119-89-30-04), and Handbook of Dental Education Technology (eISBN: 978-981-97-0275-6). He also contributes opinion pieces to news portals in Malaysia and Bangladesh.

Senior Lecturer | Researcher in AI, Big Data, Construction Management and Sustainable Construction Dr. Zafira Nadia Maaz is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Quantity Surveying, Universiti Malaya, specializing in artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and digital governance for the built environment. Her research focuses on AI-driven decision intelligence, data driven decision making, data governance, carbon management, and digital transformation in construction. She has played a key role in Construction 4.0 initiatives under the Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), contributing to the digitalization and modernization of construction practices through Big data. She has secured multiple government-funded and industry-funded research grants and collaborated with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Works Malaysia, RISM, CIDB, IEM, and JKR. She actively published in WoS and Scopus journals as well as co-authored several industry report, offering insights into Malaysia’s digitalization and data analytics in construction landscape. In 2023, she was invited to present her research on data analytics and AI at the University of Cambridge, a prestigious engagement funded by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. She is also the youngest female recipient of the RICS Young Achiever Award in Southeast Asia, distinction that acknowledges her contributions to advancing big data and AI applications in quantity surveying and the built environment. Beyond her academic and research pursuits, she is known for her open-minded and progressive approach to leadership, fostering a collaborative and innovative learning environment for students and professionals alike. She is deeply passionate about translating research into practical solutions that drive the construction industry forward through AI, data-driven governance, and sustainability.

Faridah Che Husain, is a Senior Lecturer at the Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya. She obtained all her academic qualifications from Universiti Malaya, namely a Bachelor’s Degree in Japanese studies, a Master of Arts in Civilizational Studies, and subsequently a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Islamic Studies. Her areas of expertise encompass civilizational studies, ethics, philosophy and contemporary issues, ethnic relations, as well as Malay and Islamic arts. In addition, she also examines aspects of ethics, morality, and character from an Islamic perspective, with particular emphasis on the integration of cultural and religious values within a plural society. As a scholar, she is actively engaged in academic writing, teaching, and research, adopting a multidisciplinary approach grounded in humanistic values. Her expertise not only contributes to the advancement of knowledge at the university level but also strengthens academic discourse on Malay-Islamic civilization in the global context.