PooBalan received bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Technology Malaysia, Skudai in 1999; Master’s degree (MSc) in Advanced Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bristol, England, UK in 2005 and Ph.D. degree (fluid mechanics & heat transfer) from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK in 2010. He also served as postdoctoral-Research Assistant at the University of Aberdeen in 2010 to work on the research related to nuclear power plant thermal-hydraulic related problems. PooBalan has industry experience as Process and Product Engineer at AIWA Electronic Sdn Bhd, Johor, Malaysia and Venture Electronic Sdn Bhd, Johor, Malaysia from year 2000-2004. PooBalan has received professional engineer certifications of Chartered Engineer (CEng) from the Institution of Mechanical Engineer (IMechE), UK and IR (PEng) from Board of Engineer Malaysia (BEM). PooBalan expertise is within the field of study related to fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermal fluid, pump characteristics & application and heat exchanger. PooBalan is presently working on project related to aeration technology for aquaculture, development of venturi nozzle for mixing of water & air, development of micro-nano bubbles generator, development of compact heat exchanger based on open-type metal foam. PooBalan has a patent and a copyright on micro-bubble generator nozzle and technology for water aeration & mixing. PooBalan is also actively involved with community related project such as knowledge-transfer programs and activities on urban aquaculture farming. A model of an urban aquaculture farming has been developed at Sect 3, Petaling Jaya residential house and at Broga Hill, Semenyih based on effective & suitable aeration technology and Biofloc (healthy microorganisms).

I’m a Senior Lecturer at the International Institute of Public Policy and Management (INPUMA), Universiti Malaya. Before I was appointed a senior lecturer, I was a visiting fellow under the UKM–Nippon Foundation Programme at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), UKM, where I also served as a junior research fellow. Following my tenure at UKM, I was appointed as a Special Task Officer to the then-President of the Senate, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Utama Dr Rais Yatim, at the Parliament of Malaysia. In this role, I gained invaluable first-hand experience in policy discussions, bill drafting, governance processes, and diplomatic engagement. My primary research focuses on national security and foreign policy, Latin American politics, and the development and cultivation of a culture of peace in Costa Rica, examined through a constructivist framework. I have spent significant time conducting fieldwork, attending conferences, and establishing networks in Mexico and Costa Rica to deepen my understanding of Latin American politics and its wider implications for international relations. My academic interests also extend to global political dynamics from a postcolonial perspective, with a particular emphasis on debates surrounding Orientalism and Occidentalism. My work bridges theoretical insights with practical applications, fostering a nuanced understanding of the interplay between history, culture, international relations, and public policy. I am eager to supervise students within these areas of research and interest as well as those who seek to explore connections between Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Dr. Zainah Ibrahim is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She received her Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering from Middlesex University, UK;  Master Degree in Structural Engineering from Liverpool University, UK, and obtained her Ph.D. in the field of Structural Engineering from Sheffield University, UK. She has over 20 years of teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Her research interests include structural dynamics, structural health monitoring, nonlinear dynamic system identification, structural vibration and control, repair and strengthening of existing concrete structures, and concrete materials.