PROF. DATUK DR SITI ZAWIAH BINTI OMAR Emeritus Professor

Professor Dr. Shireene Ratna Vethakkan obtained her MBBS from the University of Malaya, and Masters of Internal Medicine from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. She then underwent endocrine training at the University of Malaya Medical Centre and a fellowship at the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne. This was followed by an MD(Doctorate of Medicine-Research) at the University of Melbourne focusing on the evaluation of islet-function and insulin-sensitivity post-islet transplantation in patients with Type 1 diabetes. Her expertise lies in the fields of diabetology and reproductive endocrinology, in particular human islet-transplantation, lipotoxicity and beta-cell function. She is skilled in the evaluation of beta-cell function/insulin sensitivity utilizing computer modelling and the IVGTT, and can also conduct clamp studies. She was Head of the Division of Endocrinology&Diabetes , Department of Medicine, University of Malaya from 2012-2022. She holds several grants and has a passion for clinical research in the field of diabetes in pregnancy and metabolic associated steatotic liver disease.  She has published papers in the  Bristish Journal of Obstetrics & Endocrinology, Clinical Endocrinology, Diabetes Research & Clinical Practice, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Journal of Clinical Lipidology,Clinical Nutrition,Transplantation, Endocrine Practice, Diabetic Medicine and Journal of Diabetes Investigation. She has also supervised to completion many PhD, Masters of Science, Masters of Medicine students and Endocrine Subspecialty Fellows.  Dr. Vethakkan is also an experienced consultant endocrinologist/physician and runs several busy clinics including the combined antenatal endocrine clinic at the University of Malaya Medical Centre. 

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.