Dr. Zulhadi Iskandar Radzi (ZI Radzi) is a battery scientist and Senior Lecturer at the UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), Universiti Malaya. He earned his PhD in Energy Conversion & Management from Universiti Malaya in 2024, where his research centered on manganese based cathode nanomaterials for lithium ion batteries, synthesized through low carbon footprint methods and engineered for fast charging and high power applications. Building on this foundation, his current work advances energy storage systems, nanomaterials, and sustainable battery manufacturing, with particular focus on electrode engineering, pouch cell development, and pilot scale production. Before entering academia, he developed his career at the International Battery Center Sdn Bhd (IBC), a pioneering Malaysian start up in battery energy storage established in partnership with NanoMalaysia Berhad. Rising to the role of Chief Operating Officer, he and the leadership team guided the transition of laboratory innovations into pilot and pre commercial production, drove the development of pouch cells, designed stationary battery packs, and introduced lean manufacturing practices. They also ensured compliance with international safety standards, including IEC 62133 and UN38.3, positioning IBC as a benchmark for Malaysia’s growing battery industry. Dr. Zulhadi’s contributions include three patents in advanced battery technologies that focused on sustainable solutions for electrode manufacturing. Alongside his patents, he has built a solid record of peer reviewed publications that strengthen his academic profile. Positioned at the intersection of academia and industry, he continues to champion Malaysia’s energy transition while enhancing the nation’s presence in the global battery ecosystem.

Kim-Leng Goh is appointed as Honorary Professor at the Department of Economics and Applied Statistics, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Malaya after his retirement from his professorial position at the same department. He received his degrees of Bachelor of Economics (Statistics) and Master of Economics from the University of Malaya, and PhD from Monash University (Australia). During his service, he held various academic administrative positions. He was the Deputy Dean of Higher Degree of FEA from September 2016-January 2018, and he held the same position from 2007-2012. He was the Head of Department of Applied Statistics, FEA from 2006-2007 and in 2020. From 2013-2016, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Global Planning & Strategy Centre under the Chancellery to assist the university in strategic planning and world university rankings. He served as the Editor of Malaysian Journal of Economic Studies (indexed in Scopus and ESCI) for about 20 years. He is an Advisor to the Capital Markets Review, and an editorial board member of the International Journal of Services, Economics and Management. He was also an editorial board member of the International Journal of Modelling in Operations Management. His areas of expertise include econometrics, financial econometrics, modeling and applied finance. He has published about 90 papers in refereed academic journals. He is currently supervising 5 PhD candidates, and more than 20 PhD candidates under his supervision have completed their studies.  

Dr. Syed Bahari Ramadzan Bin Syed Adnan is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Physics Department, Faculty of Science. He completed his Ph.D. in the subject of Material Science. His research is dedicated to advancing inorganic materials for energy storage applications. He specializes in ceramic electrolytes and electrodes for lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and magnesium-ion batteries, with a particular focus on sustainable materials. His research has garnered significant attention, evidenced by over 556 citations, an h-index of 14, and an i10-index of 24 on Google Scholar (as of 2024). This impact is further solidified by a publication record of 39 research papers, a granted research patent (A method for synthesizing nano ionic sodium zinc silicate"), and the successful acquisition of six research grants (as Principal Investigator) from Universiti Malaya (RU grants) and the Malaysian government (FRGS). Notably, his research on developing a clay-based battery electrolyte also received media coverage in 2023, highlighting its public significance. He has also excelled in research competitions, securing two gold medals in the Material Technology Challenge 7.0 and Pre-University Matriculation Innovation Competition in 2022, and a bronze medal in the Invention, Innovation, and Design Exposition (iiDeX) in 2015 and 2022. Beyond research, he has  been actively involved in the society and academic community, serving in roles such as Committee Member in Institute Fizik Malaysia, Member of Malaysian Solid-State Science and Technology as well as in the National STEM Association and Associated Chief Editor in an international STEM journal.His leadership experience, including serving as Deputy Director (Research and Development,2017-2022) and Acting Director in PASUM (2018), as well as participation in numerous department and faculty committees, demonstrates his contributions to the university and the broader community. This engagement, combined with awards like the Excellence Service Award in 2018 and 2021, attest to the recognition of his contributions. Moreover, his involvement in local and international collaborations as well as industry attachments demonstrates his ability to secure external funding and potential for future research excellence.