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. Abubakar Abubakar Usman is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of International and Strategic Studies at Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia, where he specializes in globalization, development, and the politics of Africa and the Middle East. With a multidisciplinary academic background spanning International Relations, Diplomacy, and Islamic Finance, Dr. Usman is a prolific scholar whose work bridges theory and policy. Academic LeadershipDr. Usman currently serves as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, teaching Politics and International Relations of the Middle East. He has also been invited as a Guest Speaker at institutions such as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Nile University Nigeria, where he shared expertise on diplomacy, conflict resolution, and strategic studies. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking and real-world applicability, honed through roles as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and as an English instructor for Saudi Schools Kuala Lumpur. Research ContributionsA dedicated researcher, Dr. Usman has held prestigious fellowships, including as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at IIUM’s Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF), where he explored the intersection of Islamic finance and global development. As a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Africa Studies Circle at the Asia Middle East Centre for Research and Dialogue (AMEC), he fosters cross-civilizational dialogue and evidence-based policy recommendations. His research has been published in high-impact journals such as South African Journal of International Affairs, Global Society, and Contemporary Islam, and he has contributed chapters to Routledge and Palgrave Macmillan volumes on Islamic finance, African diplomacy, and human rights. Dr. Usman actively engages in peer review for Web of Science-indexed journals, including Security Journal and SN Social Sciences, and is currently developing two book projects: The Political Economy of Africa-Asia Relations (Routledge) and Coups in 21st Century Africa (Palgrave Macmillan). His doctoral thesis on Boko Haram’s media strategies and master’s research on Islamic finance as a development tool reflect his commitment to addressing pressing global challenges. Policy and Public EngagementBeyond academia, Dr. Usman is a sought-after commentator on African geopolitics, contributing to platforms like Africa@LSE, Daily Trust, and The Conversation. His analyses on ECOWAS, military coups, and Nigeria’s foreign policy have shaped public discourse. He has also served as an interpreter and translator for Malaysian government agencies, leveraging fluency in English, Arabic, and Hausa. Education and Honors PhD in International Relations (Globalization & Development), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Master of Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (CGPA: 4.00), UKM Master of Political Science (CGPA: 3.83), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) BA in Arabic/Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria Professional Affiliations Member, International Studies Association (ISA) Associate Member, International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS) For a full list of publications and research projects, visit his Google Scholar or ORCID profiles. Contact:Email: abubakar.usman@um.edu.my | Phone: +60 162417993Address: Department of International and Strategic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya

Azian bin Madun is a senior lecturer at the University of Malaya. He received his Phd in Finance from the University of Bath, United Kingdom in 2009. He has vast experience in the financial industry after serving the Malaysian stock exchange for ten years in the areas of finance and management research from 1993 to 2003. Since 2009 he has been teaching as well as undertaking research in the areas of finance and management as well as Islamic finance.