Muhammad Izzul Syahmi Zulkepli has been a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Shariah and Economics, Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya, since July 2024. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Shariah (Shariah and Economics) from Universiti Malaya in 2018, followed by a Master's Degree by research at the same institution in 2020, focusing on Islamic banking. He then pursued a PhD at Universiti Malaya, specializing in the application of fintech in Islamic banking operations, and successfully completed it in 2023. Driven by a passion for expanding knowledge, he is dedicated to learning, exploring, and sharing insights in the fields of Islamic economics, Islamic banking, Islamic finance, and Islamic fintech. His academic career has seen significant contributions, including the publication of a book, several book chapters, and numerous articles in highly indexed and other reputable journals. Additionally, he has presented his research at various local and international conferences, further cementing his expertise and thought leadership in his field.

  Dr Faizul Azli Mohd Rahim is a Professor at the Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. He graduated with BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying from the University of Salford, UK in 1997, and received MSc IT in Property & Construction from the same university in 1998. He graduated with a Phd from the University of Liverpool in 2011 in the area of project risk management. Since his appointment at the University of Malaya, he had been teaching various subjects such as data analysis, construction economics, project management and IT in construction. He also hold various administrative positions such as the Head of Departments and Deputy Dean (Research & Value Creation & Enterprise) for the faculty. He had published in various local and international journals. He had been reviewing various international journal papers as well as being the examiners for undergraduate programmes and postgraduate research study. His research interest mainly construction economics, IT in construction and project risk management.   

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