Nurul Asmaa Akmal is currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at the Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Universiti Malaya, where she specialised in socio-cultural and labour studies with a particular focus on the Malaysian cleaning sector. Her academic trajectory bridges the intersections of social sciences, cultural studies, and contemporary labour realities, positioning her as an emerging scholar in socio-economic and 3D (dirty, dangerous, difficult) work research. Her research interests are diverse yet interconnected, encompassing waste management, Malay cleaners, 3D workers, social labelling, quality of life, and sustainability issues aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). She has published several journal articles and presented research internationally on waste management and the lived experiences of workers in low-skilled and marginalised sectors. In addition to labour studies, Dr. Nurul Asmaa Akmal is actively engaged in the field of Malay language pedagogy, particularly in teaching Malay as a second or foreign language. Her areas of interest include communicative approaches, situational Malay (Malay situational learning), and the integration of cultural context into language acquisition. Her commitment to language education reflects her passion for expanding global appreciation of the Malay language and enhancing the learning experience of foreign students. Her scholarship also extends to Malay socio-cultural studies, including research on adat, traditional practices, and kearifan tempatan (local wisdom). She explores how cultural heritage, belief systems, and community-based knowledge shape identity, resilience, and the continuity of Malay civilisation in both rural and contemporary urban contexts. This includes work related to cultural rituals, community traditions, and intergenerational transmission of values. Furthermore, her academic involvement includes the field of Malay economics and entrepreneurship, where she examines traditional and modern economic practices, entrepreneurial characteristics among Malay communities, and socio-cultural factors influencing business sustainability. Her insights contribute to discussions on economic empowerment, resilience, and the evolving landscape of Malay entrepreneurship in Malaysia’s socio-economic development. Through her wide-ranging scholarly contributions, Dr. Nurul Asmaa Akmal remains committed to advancing knowledge in labour studies, socio-cultural research, language pedagogy, Malay entrepreneurship, and sustainability, while actively engaging in community-oriented initiatives in line with Universiti Malaya’s mission of academic excellence and societal impact.

I am a Family Medicine Specialist who has a deep interest in research related to hypertension, respiratory diseases in primary care, and telemedicine. I am commited to the field of hypertension is evident through my active involvement in various activities and societies related to hypertension. I have a remarkable track record of active participation and leadership roles in organizations, which reflects my dedication to advancing the field. Since 2022, I served as a Council Member of the Malaysian Society of Hypertension (MSH), vice president of the Malaysian Society for World Action on Salt, Sugar, and Health (MyWASSH) since 2024.  One of my most significant achievements is my active participation in organizing hypertension-related screening campaigns, particularly in collaboration with the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and the May Measurement Month (MMM). I had been actively involved in hypertension screening campaigns in my hospital since 2015.  I serve as the key leader for the Asthma Right Care Initiatives, launched by the International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG), which focuses on promoting appropriate asthma management by addressing SABA overreliance in our setting. Additionally, I lead the teleconsultation services in my clinic, where we have implemented quality improvement projects to ensure continuous enhancement of our overall services.

Dr. Julian Wong Joon Ip is a psychiatrist and medical lecturer with the Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. He graduated with Honours in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) (Hons) from Monash University and later obtained his Master of Psychological Medicine (MPsy.Med.) from Universiti Malaya. Dr. Wong is actively engaged in undergraduate and postgraduate education, clinical practice, and academic research. He serves as a practicing psychiatrist at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. His clinical interests include psychiatric comorbidities, with a particular emphasis on consultation-liaison psychiatry, community-based mental health services, and psychotherapy. He is currently part of both the consultation-liaison psychiatry team and the Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) at UMMC. Dr. Wong is a certified Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) clinician, having completed a training program by Dr. Gregg Jacobs (University of Massachusetts Medical School). He has also completed Pre-Core Training in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) under Dr. Samuel Cheng at Changi General Hospital and is embarking on a 3-year Core Training program in ISTDP as a subspecialty focus from 2026 to 2029. He is also a certified TMS clinician, having completed the International Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Certification Course in London, organised by the Academy of Brain Stimulation. Dr. Wong actively promotes mental health literacy and wellness in the community. He frequently speaks at public forums, conferences, and symposia (locally, regionally, and internationally) to discuss latest evidence based clinical practices, promote mental wellness and improve mental health literacy in the community.