Otorhinolaryngologist/Head & Neck Surgeon (subspecialized in Rhinology & Endoscopic Sinus/Anterior Skull Base Surgery)Deputy Dean of Student Affairs (Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya)Interim Medical Director of University Malaya Specialist Centre (July-September 2021)Head of Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Malaya Medical Center (2018-2022)Chair of Conjoint Board of Universities for Otorhinolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery Malaysia (2021-2022)UM Health Task Force Leader (Facilities) - (2021-2022)Chair of Task Force Facilities for JP-UMHMC (UM Health Management Committee) (2022-present)Member of Medical & Dental Advisory Committee University Malaya Specialist Centre (2018-2022)Member of Medical Advisory Committee Faculty of Medicine.  

I am a Professor and Deputy Dean of Research at the Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya. I am a registered Professional Engineer (PEng) with the Board of Engineers Malaysia and an ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer (ACPE). I previously served as the President of the Malaysian Thermoelectric Society and held administrative positions including Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering (2016-2019). I also serve as a program examiner for the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC), Malaysia, contributing to the quality assurance of engineering education in the country. My research focuses on energy materials, electronics packaging (solder alloys) and MEMS. I have published over 200 ISI-indexed journal articles, 2 books, and 10 book chapters. My work has garnered over 4,600 citations with an h-index of 35. I hold 7 patents related to my research areas. I have been invited to deliver 7 keynote talks at international conferences and 15 invited talks at local and international conferences. I have secured research grants totaling RM13.6 million and led projects worth RM1.6 million. I have served as an examiner for 29 PhD theses (16 international) and 25 Master's theses (1 international). My expertise is also recognized through my appointment as a reviewer for more than 35 journals and my role as an evaluator for national and international research funding applications. I have supervised more than 30 postgraduate students (specifically 19 PhD, 15 Master's completed, and 10 ongoing). 

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