Fumitaka Furuoka is a Japanese economist who has lived in Malaysia since 1987. From 1991 to 1999, he worked as a senior assistant at the Consulate General of Japan in Penang. Fumitaka then moved to academia and has taught economics at three Malaysian public universities, namely, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), and Universiti Malaya (UM) for more than 25 years. His academic expertise is in the field of applied economics, which involves applying economic and econometric theories to address real-world critical financial issues and problems. As an applied economist, he aims to provide insights from his research to inform the development of effective policies that foster sustainable development, reduce regional disparities, and move society toward achieving economic and social justice.  In his research in the field of applied economics, he focuses on economic equity between countries (i.e., the problem of inequality of economic development level in different countries), as well as economic equity within countries (i.e., the problem of inequality of income distribution in a specific country). Regarding economic equity between countries, he has conducted extensive research on diverse and pertinent global economic issues, such as poverty reduction, unemployment, economic growth/development, and renewable energy. In 2006, he published a book on Japanese foreign aid titled New Challenges for Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) Policy. The book examines how Japan’s aid policy can contribute to reducing poverty and enhancing the well-being of developing countries, particularly those in Southeast Asia. As to economic equity within countries, the primary focus of Fumitaka's research is promoting “employment for all” which is closely aligned with Target 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He firmly believes that employment for all, including people with disabilities, is the basic foundation for a sustainable and more humane economy (Ekonomi Madani). This belief has led him to write a book on employment for people with disabilities entitled Disability and Employment: Towards a Humanistic Economy. The book was published by Springer in 2024. He also wrote another book, co-authored with Dr Yosuke Uchiyama, on employment for people with disabilities, entitled "Youth and Employment: Creating a Productive and Dynamic Society," which was published by the same publisher in 2025. This research direction has a strong practical orientation, and Fumitaka considers work in this area to be of ultimate importance for achieving economic equity and providing employment opportunities to people with disabilities or young people. In short, his research aims to identify barriers and initiate policies that promote and enable economic inclusion, employment, and justice for all.

Dr. Siti Patonah binti Mohamad is a senior lecturer at the Applied Science with Islamic Studies Programme, Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya. She holds a PhD (Humanities (Religion)) from Universiti Malaya and has a Master of Islamic Studies (MIs) from the same institution. She also holds a Bachelor of Applied Science with Islamic Studies (Biohealth) with Honors from Universiti Malaya. Dr. Siti Patonah's research interests primarily focus on neurodivergent individuals, specifically persons with autism (PWA), and the mental health of PWA's caretakers. Her research integrates Islamic principles and practices to better understand and support this marginalized group. For example, she studies the Quranic reading style of PWA and works on developing a biopsychosocialspiritual model of coping for Muslim parents of PWA to help them handle their stress. She is also interested in multidisciplinary research, particularly in areas such as Islam and Science, as well as Islamic psychology. Dr. Siti Patonah has contributed to the field by publishing several articles related to her studies and has received awards in seminars and conferences she has attended. In addition to her research activities, she is actively involved in teaching both foundation and degree-level students, sharing her expertise and knowledge in her areas of study. Dr. Siti Patonah's work demonstrates a commitment to bridging the gap between Islamic principles and scientific research to improve the lives of individuals with autism and their families.

Dr Hany Mohamed Aly Ahmed was born in Göttingen, Germany in 1980. He is an Egyptian and was graduated from Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University (ASU), Egypt, with a Bachelor's Degree in Dental Sciences (B.D.S.) in 2002. He started his clinical postgraduate program in Endodontics with a Higher Dental Diploma (H.D.D.) degree in 2006, and he is registered as a Dental Specialist in the field of Endodontics by the Egyptian Dental Syndicate in 2012. Dr. Ahmed continued his postgraduate studies, and joined a Master Degree program (M.Sc.D.) at the School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2009 which was converted to Ph.D. in 2011. In July 2023, he has been promoted to Consultant of Endodontics by the Egyptian Dental Syndicate. Dr. Ahmed has been granted a number of awards for his research on the application of Portland cements in Endodontics including the IADR (SE Asian division) for the best laboratory research in 2014. He has also been granted several awards, in Malaysia and Singapore, as a supervisor for several elective research projects. Dr. Ahmed has published more than 120 articles in recognized international journals such as Journal of Endodontics and International Endodontic Journal. In 2012, Dr. Ahmed has introduced a new classification for endoperio lesions, which was published in ENDO, and with experts from Brazil and UK, he has also introduced a new system for classifying the root and root canal morphology in 2016, in addition to accessory canals and dental anomalies in 2018. With an expert from Australia, he has also introduced the PROUD guidelines (Preferred reporting items for root canal morphology in the human dentition), published in the European Endodontic Journal. Dr Ahmed has delievered a number of scientific and clinical lectures and workshops in several countries such as Australia, Austria, Italy, Vietnam, Thailand and Egypt. He was also invited as a Keynote Speaker by the European Society of Endodontology which was held in Vienna, 2019, Budapest 2022, Helsinki 2023 and Paris 2025 and he also lead a number of workshops related to root and canal morphology. Currently, he is an associate professor of Endodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, and he leads a number of grants in Malaysia related to root canal morphology and endodontic bio-materials. He has received two awards from the UM - Excellent service certificate (2019) and Excellent service award (2022). In 2021, he has obtained the membership diploma from the Faculty of Dental Trainers, Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh), and he became a fellow of the International College of Dentists, USA. Recently, he was granted the Membership Diploma from the Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow (MFDS RCPS), and the Fellowship from the Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons, England (FDS RCS). Dr Ahmed has also been listed in the top 2% Scientists worldwide, Stanford university report from 2022 to 2025 (single year) and career-long (2025). He is a scientific reviewer and editorial board member in national and international journals. He is an editorial board member of the International Endodontic Journal (The official publication of the British Endodontic Society). He also is the Deputy Editor-In- Chief of the European Endodontic Journal. He is one of the editors for the book entitled "Endodontic Advances and Evidence Based clinical guidelines" published by Wiley in 2022.