Daniel Chow Ung T’chiang (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya. He was the former Deputy Dean (Research and Development, 2020-2022) and the former Deputy Dean (Research, 2022). His areas of interest include English for Specific Purposes and Critical Genre Analysis. He is currently involved in research projects on Professional Discourses and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Daniel is the Treasurer of the Malaysian Association of Applied Linguistics (MAAL), an affiliate of the International Association of Applied Linguistics (AILA), and the Treasurer of the AILA 2024 World Congress.

Fumitaka Furuoka is a Japanese economist who has lived in Malaysia since 1987. From 1991 to 1999, he worked as a senior assistant at the Consulate General of Japan in Penang. Fumitaka then moved to academia and has taught economics for 25 years at three Malaysian public universities, namely, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and Universiti Malaya. His academic expertise is in the field of applied economics which involves applying economic and econometric theories to address real-world critical economic issues and problems. As an applied economist, he aims to provide insights from his research for hammering out effective policies that foster sustainable development, enable a reduction of regional disparities, and move society towards achieving economic and social justice.  In his research in the field of applied economics, he focuses on economic equity between countries (i.e., the problem of inequality of economic development level in different countries), as well as economic equity within countries (i.e., the problem of inequality of income distribution in a specific country). Regarding economic equity between countries, he has conducted extensive research on diverse and pertinent global economic issues, such as poverty reduction, unemployment, economic growth/development, and renewable energy. In 2006, he published a book on Japanese foreign aid titled New Challenges for Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) Policy. The book examines how Japan’s aid policy can contribute to reducing poverty and improving the well-being of developing countries, particularly Southeast Asian economies. As to economic equity within countries, the main focus of Fumitaka's research is promoting “employment for all” which is closely aligned with Target 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He strongly believes that employment for all, including people with disabilities, is the basic foundation for a sustainable and more humane economy (Ekonomi Madani). This belief has led him to write a book on employment for people with disabilities entitled Disability and Employment: Towards a Humanistic Economy. The book was published by Springer in 2024. This research direction has a strong practical orientation, and Fumitaka considers work in this area to be of ultimate importance for achieving economic equity and providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities. In short, his research aims to identify barriers and initiate policies that promote and enable economic inclusion, employment, and justice for all.

  Prof Dr Vikineswary started her academic career after completing her PhD in the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in 1989 as a lecturer.  She ventured into search, discovery and utilisation of indigenous microorganisms including actinomycetes and phototrophic bacteria for feed, feed or fine chemicals. Her research activities diversified and while studying the potential of mushrooms and in particular the white - rot fungi in environmental biotechnology, she had the opportunity to work with mushroom farmers.  Together with the growers, the Mushroom Research Association of Malaysia was founded in 2000 and as the founding  president she has highlighted the importance of mushrooms and the industry in Malaysia.  She is well known for the research conducted which includes systematic and bioactivity of marine actinomycetes, mushroom biology and their bioactive metabolites, phototrophic bacteria for bioremediation and as a live feed enhancer. She has  successfully trained 50 Masters and 20 PhD students and a number are currently pursuing their postgraduate studies under her supervision. Her research activities are sponsored by national and international grants including industrial funding.  Prof.  Vikineswary has won several awards for her research findings both in Malaysia and at International Exhibition.  She has collaboration with overseas scientists through CICHE, JSPS and EU programmes. She has published 265 papers in peer reviewed journals, proceedings, bulletins, chapters in books  and  books.  In recognition of her contribution in microbiology and active participation as member of the Malaysian Society for Microbiology she was elected as the first woman President of the Society in 2001. In 2014 she was nominated as one of the Top Research Scientist Malaysia by Academy Science Malaysia. In 2015 she was nominated as a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.