Dr Yong Sook Lu working in Department of Economics and Applied Statistics at University of Malaya, MALAYSIA. She holds PhD (Economics, Lancaster University, United Kingdom), MEcon (Economics, UM, Malaysia) and BEcon (Analytical Economics, UM, Malaysia). Her research expertise includes Industrial Organisation, Microeconomics, Monetary Economics and Public Health. She has taught several courses at Undergraduate level including:  Microeconomics, Malaysian Economy, Introduction to Mathematical Economics, Industrial Economics, Macroeconomics and Health Economics (at University of Malaya); Principles of Economics, Microeconomics and Econometrics (at HELP University). She supervised over 50 UG projects including industrial placement projects (at University of Malaya); over 30 Masters Research Projects (at University of Malaya); and 4 PhD (under supervision).  Produced over 15 publications, including book chapters, articles in internationally refereed journals, policy briefs and reports. She has also reviewed several papers for journals and conferences. She has led research projects on: " A Regional Study on Social Protection coverage: ASEAN Countries " (SWRC Grant), "The Impact of Uncertainty on Economic Growth: The Case of ASEAN-5 " (University Grant), “Industrial Organisation and Classification of Firms Listed in Bursa Malaysia” (University Grant) and “Exploring CPI Basket for Identifying Minimum Essentials in Reference Budgets” (SWRC Grant). She is also a co-researcher for projects such as " Rural Women Empowerment through Entrepreneurship " (FRGS); “Malaysia Ageing and Retirement Survey” and “Belanjawanku" (SWRC Grant) and " Malaysia: Labelling Regulations on Natural Rubber Condoms and the WTO TBT Agreement " (Australian Government Aids). She is an Editor for Malaysian Journal of Economic Studies. She was awarded Certificate of Excellent Service (UM) 2016; Certificate of Excellent Service (UM) 2015; UM Excellence Award, Naib Canselor, 2013; Certificate of Excellent Service (UM) 2013; UM Excellence Award, Naib Canselor, 2011; Certificate of Excellence Service (UM) 2011; Best Oral Presentation at The University of Sheffield Postgraduate Research Workshop, University of Sheffield, 2008, (International); Research and Innovation Expo/Silver Medal (UM) 2007, (National); Certificate of Excellent Service (UM) 2006; Research and Innovation Expo/Silver Medal (UM) 2005 (National) and University Book Award (UM) 2001 (National).  

I'm a Senior Lecturer at the English Language Department, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics. After more than two decades of working in language, communication and skills development, I joined UM in 2019 to contribute to progressing the field of health(care) discourse in Malaysia and beyond. In my current role, I teach languages and linguistics courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level, while supervising and conducting research. Research Focus - Improving Health & Wellbeing by Applying a Discursive ToolkitI study matters related to language, health(care) and wellbeing, applying qualitative and discursive perspectives to address problems and inform practice in provider-patient interaction, health education and other related topics. I am particularly interested in analysis of real-life interaction, to answer questions on how people "do things" with language in health-related contexts. For example, how do doctors and patients collaboratively make decisions about treatment, manage chronic health conditions, and discuss concerns by interacting with each other in person or online? I'm also interested in communication in healthcare education, interprofessional discourse and patient education, alongside how people express and make meaning of health-related issues via their talk and stories. My current funded  projects include studies on professional socialisation of house officers (FRGS), patient experience of gum disease (IIRG, UM). Expertise -Enhancing Language and Communication in Diverse SettingsBeyond my research and academic duties, I help enhance language and communication in academic and professional settings, applying a diverse knowledge and skillset composed over 25 years of experience. Before joining academia, I was engaged in various positions mostly as a consultant/independent contractor, including as a language/content service provider for over 15 years and as a language/communication skills instructor for over 17 years. In these roles, I provided language consulting services and skills training for corporate and individual clients in Malaysia and internationally. I have a CELTA qualification and am a HRDF certified trainer. My work history is available at https://my.linkedin.com/in/ayeshah-syed-0468293 Professional Activities and LeadershipAt UM, I have been actively involved in advancement of research and academic practices. From 2022-2024, I led the research portfolio at the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics as the Deputy Dean of Research and Innovation, with other appointments including as the Protem-Deputy Head of the Medical Devices Centre of Excellence, UM and Taskforce member for UM's Programme Educational goals. Outside the university, I  am involved in professional associations related to languages and linguistics and social advancement, including Persatuan Bahasa Moden Malaysia (President, 2022-2024, Vice President-2024 - 2026, Exco member since 2013) and the citizens' movement organisation, the Association of Voices of Peace, Conscience and Reason (Exco member - since 2016, Treasurer-2025-present).Research Collaboration and Supervision Opportunities I welcome potential collaborations aligned with my expertise and also enjoy connecting with other researchers to learn about their work, gain insight into new contexts, fields and perspectives and explore how I might contribute to their research activities.  In terms of postgraduate supervision, I supervise projects that apply discursive approaches to address problems in health-related contexts, focusing on interaction. Note to potential supervisees: I have limited availability for 2025-2026 due to a heavy supervision load. 

Dr. Nikmatul Adha is currently the Director of the Corporate Performance Centre at Universiti Malaya. She holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). In 2011, she was awarded a doctoral degree from USM, specializing in social and physical planning. Dr. Nikmatul Adha began her career as a Research Officer at USM, later serving as a Research Executive at a private consultancy firm before transitioning into academia. Since 2004, she has been a faculty member at Universiti Malaya, where she teaches Urban Management, Community Development Planning, and various planning studio courses. She is also a Graduate Member of the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP). Her research interests include participatory urban planning, tourism planning, and community development planning. Dr. Nikmatul Adha has authored several books and academic articles related to her areas of expertise. She is frequently invited as a speaker and forum panellist at national conferences and has served as a visiting lecturer at Nanjing University Jinling College.