Dr. Mohamad NorTaufiq Nor Hashim is a scholar specializing primarily in Malay etymology, with further expertise in Malay language and culture, and the history of the Malay language. He obtained his PhD in Malay Linguistics from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2022, after completing a Master of Arts in 2018 and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in 2017, also in Malay Linguistics at USM. His research explores the intersections of etymology, language, culture, and history, and he has published academic works in these areas. Together with lecturers from Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), he co-developed Easy Malay, an interactive smart application designed to support Chinese learners in acquiring Malay vocabulary more effectively. His international academic experience includes serving as a Lecturer at Xi’an International Studies University (2020–2025), Yunnan University (2021–2023), and Tianjin Foreign Studies University (2019–2020), as well as a Visiting Lecturer at Yunnan Uniasia International Education Center (2023). Beyond academia, he also worked as Public Relations (PR) at the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce (MAYCHAM) Xi’an, China (2024–2025), where he contributed to strengthening bilateral and academic collaborations between Malaysia and China.

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.

Dr. Atifah binti Ahmad Yusoff, who holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, an M.A. in Islamic Thought from Universiti Malaya, and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Process Plant Engineering from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Aqidah and Islamic Thought, Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya. Dr. Atifah’s academic and research expertise spans Comparative Religion, Islamic Thought, and Contemporary Ideologies, with a strong specialisation in socio-religious harmony. She has led and contributed to multiple funded research projects, including as Principal Investigator for the Pembangunan Model Pedagogi Interaksi Antara Penganut Agama Dalam Pendidikan Islam Sekolah Menengah di Sabah (2024–2027, UM Research Excellence Grant) and as Co-Researcher for the Implementasi Konsep Tasamuh Dalam Pendidikan Madani Ke Arah Perpaduan dan Keharmonian Masyarakat Madani Multi-Etnik di Malaysia (2024–2026, UM Global Transformation Research Grant). She was also part of the research team for the Kajian Persepsi, Faktor dan Implikasi Islamofobia Dalam Kalangan Masyarakat Malaysia (2025) and the Piagam Harmoni Malaysia project with Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia (2023–2024). Her scholarly contributions include publications on the Socio-Religious Harmony Index (SRHI), which were presented at international conferences and published in reputable journals such as the Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. She has also written extensively in mass media on issues of religious harmony, moderation, and moral development, with articles appearing in platforms such as Berita Harian, Bebas News, Sumber Kini, and UMResearchPlus. In the professional sphere, Dr. Atifah is actively engaged with institutions and dialogue initiatives that promote interfaith understanding. In 2025, she was appointed Associate Member of the Universiti Malaya Centre for Civilisational Dialogue (UMCCD) and has participated as a resource person in national focus group discussions and harmony outreach programs. She has also served as a moderator in both international and university-level conferences. Dr. Atifah has supervised postgraduate and undergraduate research in areas closely tied to socio-religious harmony, including sectarian violence, interfaith pedagogy, and moral awareness. Her academic service includes reviewing journal articles, evaluating Ph.D. theses, and advising on national-level publications. Her work reflects a deep commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence in Malaysia’s multi-religious society, bridging scholarly research with practical engagement to address contemporary challenges in interfaith relations and Islamic thought.