Dr Sithi V Muniandy is currently a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science. He received his DPhil in Mathematics (Oxford, UK, 1998) for his work on wavelet multiscale theory of turbulence, MSc in Theoretical Physics (UKM) and BSc(Hons) in Physics. He is actively involved in basic research covering broad field of statistical physics and quantum dynamics, namely anomalous transport phenomena in complex fluids, fluctuation in classical and quantum systems, dusty plasmas, decoherence dynamics of noisy quantum walk and quantum entanglement in noisy environment. Having served as the Deputy Dean (Research) at the Faculty of Science, Frontier Science Research Cluster Dean and Universiti Malaya Senate Member,  Dr Sithi advocates the importance of interaction across the arts, humanities and sciences, and started to explore applications of theoretical models and analytical tools from physics to system biology and social dynamics, working with biologists to understand emergence dynamics in mycelium network, animal movement ecology, collective behaviors, thermodynamics of ecosystem and soundscape ecology. Dr Sithi founded the Learning Enrichment Committee (LearnX@2015) at the Department of Physics, Universiti Malaya, where students are empowered to explore physics outside the syllabus using artscience approaches and competition-based peer-group learning. These include Physics Theatre – Atomystics, Entropic SDG through poetry, GIS Visual Science, Robotic IoT Drone (RiOD) Competition, 'Quantum Debate in Wayang Kulit' (shadow puppet) and 'Quantum Revolutions in Wayang Kulit' in celebration of International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ2025). Dr Sithi enjoys exploring emergence dynamics in soundscape ecology and Nature/wildlife photography. He uses Nature as the sourcebook for LearnX and coursework activities, reflecting on the complexities of life and the environment, and its implications on the  anthropic universe.

I am currently serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chinese Studies at Universiti Malaya. I completed my studies in Universiti Malaya (Bachelor Degree of Chinese Studies) and Peking University (Master Degree and Ph.D. of Chinese Philosophy). My research interests encompass Chinese philosophy and thought, with a particular focus on Daoism and Confucianism, the history of pre-Qin thought, the philology and hermeneutics of Chinese philosophy.

Started his research career in the think tank sector, Dr. Lee Chee Leong (Karl) is attracted to the rise of non-traditional diplomacy in the international order today. Such appeal has taken Dr. Lee into new research horizons that started with his Monash University's doctoral research on the Chinese sub-state diplomacy in China-ASEAN economic cooperation. With constructive supervision by Professor Helen Nesadurai and Associate Professor Kuik Cheng Chwee, Dr. Lee completed his doctoral thesis that unravels how a faraway and least developed sub-state of Guangxi managed to overcome its own hurdles, navigate the complexities within the Chinese state and become the frontline actor in China-ASEAN economic cooperation. Following his doctoral completion, Dr. Lee's research on non-traditional diplomacy has expanded into Taiwan’s quasi-state diplomacy in Southeast Asia. Such quest has led him spending at great length in comprehending the concept of soft power, a concept that finds its relevance to Taiwan, which has no official diplomatic with Southeast Asia but is heavily connected to the region and has to rely on soft power in its engagements with these Southeast Asian nations. Taking Malaysia as the first case study of Taiwan's soft power in the region, Dr. Lee is developing the third intervening variable correlating both Taiwanese soft power resources and outcomes, in his course of providing a dynamical explanation for such phenomenon. For the coming years, his research focus and publications will be on the different areas featuring Taiwan-Malaysia and Taiwan-Southeast Asia cooperation such as digital social innovation (DSI) for climate change, industry-based education/training programmes, smart cities, tourism, digital democracy, agriculture, public health and medicine, ornamental aquaculture and aquascape. To date, Dr. Lee was the recipient of several scholarships and fellowships in Malaysia and overseas: University of Malaya’s Graduate Fellowship (2010-2011); Monash University’s Merit Scholarship (2016-2019); Chinese Government Scholarship (2018-2019); and Taiwan Fellowship (2020). Prior to his appointment as Senior Lecturer at the Institute of China Studies (ICS), he was the Visiting Scholar at Guangxi University for Nationalities (GXUN) (2018-10992019), Taiwan Fellow at National Chengchi University (NCCU) (2020) and Associate Fellow at ICS UM (2016-2019).He welcomes any potential PhD candidate who would like to work on Taiwan-Southeast Asia relations, Taiwan's soft power in Southeast Asia and Taiwan-Malaysia DSI cooperation for climate change. He is also willing to discuss with potential doctoral candidates on proposals related to the Chinese sub-state (provincial) diplomacy toward ASEAN, China's soft power in ASEAN, Southeast Asian sub-state diplomacy, comparative cases of sub-state diplomacy around the world and conceptual innovation of sub-state diplomacy as well as soft power.