Dr.-Ing Nurdiana Nordin is a passionate chemist and interdisciplinary researcher who is driven by the mission to bridge cutting-edge science with real-world solutions. She earned her B.Sc. in Pure Chemistry (2012) and M.Sc. in Organic Synthesis and Computational Chemistry (2015) from the University of Malaya, supported by the SLAB scholarship. Her scientific journey continued in Germany at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), where she completed her Ph.D. in 2020 under the Bio-Interfaces International Graduate School (BIF-IGS). There, she honed her expertise in NMR technology, microfluidic device fabrication, and bioorganic analysis under the mentorship of leading experts from the Institute of Microstructure Technology (IMT) and the Institut für Biologische Grenzflächen (IBG). Throughout her career, Dr. Nurdiana has demonstrated a unique ability to merge fundamental science with technological innovation. From developing microscale biomedical systems to exploring metabolic pathways using micro-NMR platforms, her work reflects a deep commitment to impactful research. Now serving as a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, University of Malaya, she envisions building a dynamic research team focused on smart, sustainable solutions for societal challenges—particularly in the fields of healthcare, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Guided by Malaysia's national development goals and sustainable technology agendas, her team aims to harness advanced materials, biosensing tools, and green chemistry to create intelligent systems that benefit both industry and community. With an eye on translational impact, Dr. Nurdiana is committed to cultivating interdisciplinary collaborations and training the next generation of researchers who are not only skilled in science, but also grounded in empathy, innovation, and service to the nation.    

Dr. Fung Shin Yee is a biochemist, receiving her degree from the University of Malaya. She actively pursues her interest in natural compounds focusing on medicinal mushrooms. She obtained her PhD in Molecular Medicine in 2008 (University of Malaya) embarking on a joint project with University of Siena, Italy and is a recipient of a fellowship from the Embassy of Italy in Malaysia (2003-2004). Dr. Fung first joined the Department of Molecular Medicine (previously known as the Department of Biochemistry) in 2000 as a tutor; in 2008 and 2015, served as a senior lecturer and Associate Professor, respectively. She was promoted to be a Professor in 2021.  She leads the Medicinal Mushroom Research Group (MMRG) and has immense interest in Malaysia’s National Treasure, the Tiger Milk mushrooms (Lignosus sp.) amongst other medicinal mushrooms. Her innovative work with Lignosus sp. has won her several prestigious international and local prizes - including the much coveted Prix Du Salon International Des Inventions De Geneva and ITEX Gold awards ; and a number of Malaysian patents. Her interest also includes other prized medicinal mushroom such as the  Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Antrodia camphorata, Inonotus obliquus (Chaga), Sanghwang - to name a few. Her previous involvement with the Venom and Toxin Research Group (VTRG) in the Department of Molecular Medicine that works on snake venom toxinology has granted her a lucrative experience in the field of toxinology and toxicology; and has propelled her current research interest. Her research endeavours utilize a multidisciplinary approach in her methodology with multiple collaborators both local and international. Her work transcended from bench to bedside - a translational research that aims to bring the Malaysian medicinal gem to good use, promoting wellness to humankind. As a person constantly intrigue by the answers provided by nature for the problems faced in human health and social issues, she strongly believe that nature has many hidden secrets, which if one can tap into, will provide many solutions and platform from which to learn from. This has led her to her primary interest in natural compounds with healing properties. Her work has been published in many high impact articles in international journals and books. She is the Founder and CTO of Essenti Nutrien Sdn. Bhd. who specialises and pioneers the ACE Technology, well known for their flagship product, the xLr®. She is a Fellow with Royal Society of Biology (RSB), United Kingdom  and hold various leadership position. She is the Vice President of the Malaysian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSBMB) which is an adhering body to the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB) and The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB). She has also been elected into the Nomination Committee of the IUBMB. She also currently serves as the Vice President of The Organization for Women in Science (OWIS), part of the Organization for Women in Science of the Developing World (OWSD) - a UNESCO programme unit. She is a member with the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (Institut Kimia Malaysia, IKM).  

  Zuwati Hasim Associate Professor Department of Language & Literacy Education, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, WP, Malaysia Email: zuwati_hasim@um.edu.my   Zuwati Hasim is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Completed her PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Waikato, New Zealand, with a research focus on understanding ESL writing and its assessment practice through the sociocultural lens. She was formerly a Deputy Director at the Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, University Malaya (UMCCD) during which she managed programmes in collaboration with the agencies and institutions in building understandings (through dialogues) of certain topics of discussions along with the themes found in the UN/UNESCO International Days. Upon completion of her tenure at the UMCCD, she was then appointed as the Deputy Director at the International Institute of Public Policy & Management (INPUMA), Universiti Malaya where she managed the Master of Public Policy (MPP) programme, organized evaluation and training programmes, and developed collaborations with local and international agencies. Among the programmes managed were the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MPP Outbound Programme, and Education Policy Lab. She currently serves as Deputy Dean of Research and a Chief Liaison Officer at the Faculty of Education, Universiti Malaya. In the field of research, she has led several national research projects such a Bullying Phenomena Among Malaysian Students (lead consultant to MOHE & MOE), Evaluation of School-Based Assessment (funded by MOE), Digital Resilience & Cyberbullying (funded by MBPJ and UM), and Community English Support System (funded by MOE under IIRG). She has also collaborated in a few research projects funded by the government agencies such as MCMC (Click Wisely Project) and MPC (Behavioral Insights Research Project). Recently, she has been appointed as a research coordinator (2022-2024) by an international organization, Education International (in Brussels), for a Teacher-Led Learning Circles Project - Looking into Formative Assessment Practice. In 2023, she participated in the In-Person Exchange Program on Media and Information Literacy sponsored by the United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Office and hosted by the Global Launch of Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA in cooperation with FHI360. Her research work continues in which for 2024 she explores on Social Innovation in Education research projects that focus on three elements: communitize, industrialize, and internationalize higher education institution (HEI) - aligning with the university's vision.  Acknowledging her expertise - in the field of language, assessment, and education - she has been appointed as external examiner, curriculum evaluator, advisor, panel of expert, and reviewer by several higher learning institutions and government agencies, local and abroad. She was appointed as Lead Consultant for a nationwide research on bullying phenomenon in 2018. In 2023, she was consulted by the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) on revieweing the  CEFR Aligned Language Assessment instruments. In 2024 she is engaged as Lead Consultant to the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) focused on Developing and Validating MCQ Items for ELPA Reading Test Component.  Her research interests include language assessment, action research, pedagogy, teacher education, reflective practice, higher education, media and information literacy, and school-based assessment. Among her book publications are Barnard & Hasim (Eds.) (2018) English Medium Instruction: Perspectives from Southeast Asian Universities published by Routledge and Hasim & Barnard (Eds.) (2017) Pedagogical Research Practices in Higher Learning Institutions in Malaysia by UMPress.  For both publications and research, she has collaborated with academics, locally and internationally. She is also actively involved with community projects where her interest is to share knowledge and to bring about positive social change in practice and perspectives of the communities. To add, she is actively involved with Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and activities celebrated by UNESCO in which she was a programme director for the Celebration of UNESCO World Teachers’ Day 2017 through 2019 (Malaysia chapter), funded by the Malaysia National Commission for UNESCO and Education International. Some of her completed UNESCO projects were documented in Hasim & Chang (2016) Narratives of Intercultural Relationships & Understanding. In 2019, she was given the honor to coordinate inaugural Academia Day Celebration (National Level), hosted by the Malaysia Ministry of Education/Ministry of Higher Education & the University of Malaya. As part of the community contribution, she is actively participating in the Parent-Teacher-School and Community associated programmes. For local and international network recognition and effort, she was a guest researcher and a visiting scholar at the University of Muenster, Germany in 2017; an advisory panel for Zulfaqar Journal of Defence Management, UPNM; a member to International Literacy Association; a member of Qualitative Resarch Association of Malaysia; a member of Malaysia English Language Teaching Association; a member of Applied Linguistics Association New Zealand; an auditor to Malaysia Academic Movement Association (2017-2019); an evaluation expert for UPNM (2019); Testing & Evaluation trainer for ASWARA (2021); an adjunct Senior Lecturer at Asia E University (2020); a member of UM Academic Staff Association; a member of Malaysia Research Group United Kingdom (2006); a certified Microsoft Innovative Educator;  being appointed as a visiting lecturer at the Universitas Negeri Medan, Indonesia (2022-2023); and as an adjunct Associate Professor at Ningde Normal University in Fujian, China (2023-2025). She received an Award for Best Community Engagement Project from Universiti Malaya (2022); a Gold Award for Innovation Project from IPGM (2022); Award of Excellent Contribution as Reviewer from CALL-EJ (2018); Certificate of Excellence Service (2015) and granted a Professional Certificate for Entrepreneurship Educator (ProCEEd) from MOHE and UiTM (2022). With her expertise, she has contributed ideas and thoughts related to education through various recognized local media platforms (printed, telecast & online) such as The Star, News Straits Times, Radio IKIM, Berita RTM, Selamat Pagi Malaysia (RTM), Bernama TV, Berita Harian, Utusan, etc.