Dr. Hidayah obtained her first degree in Bachelor of Science with Islamic Studies specialized in Ecology and Biodiversity from Universiti Malaya in 2009, under Public Service Department Malaysia scholarship. She then continued her interest in Science Biology at the same university under the National Science Fellowship (NSF), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation scholarship where she obtained a Master of Science in Molecular Taxonomy in 2013. Afterward, she worked as a Research Assistant to expand her experience in the research world before she continued her PhD. In the year 2015, she received a scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia to pursue her PhD focusing on Bio-ecological and taxonomic studies of Malaysian dragonflies at Universiti Malaya. While completing her PhD, she becomes a recipient of short-term International Program Associates (IPAs) under the International Joint Graduate School Program RIKEN, by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Wako-Shi, Japan in 2016. RIKEN is Japan's largest comprehensive research institution renowned for high-quality research in a diverse range of scientific disciplines. While carrying out her PhD project at RIKEN, she was engaged in the Enzyme Research Team, Biomass Engineering Research Division, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science. The research she has conducted at RIKEN to date aims to demonstrate the micro joint wing properties in the suborder Zygoptera using combined techniques of laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) to explore resilin elasticity investigations and analyze of protein components. In 2018, she completed her PhD and started her career as a part-timer lecturer, and afterward, she has been appointed as Senior Lecturer in 2020 under Ecology Biodiversity Programme, Institute Science Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. She currently teaches Animal Behaviour & Ethology and Animal Structure, Function & Physiology subjects to undergraduate students. She has vast experience in teaching and learning starting as a demonstrator back in 2013 and involved in immense research field preliminary back to 2010 and became a reviewer in several peer-reviewed and high impact journals such as PLoS ONE.

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

Dr. Zulhadi Iskandar Radzi (ZI Radzi) is a battery scientist and Senior Lecturer at the UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), Universiti Malaya. He earned his PhD in Energy Conversion & Management from Universiti Malaya in 2024, where his research centered on manganese based cathode nanomaterials for lithium ion batteries, synthesized through low carbon footprint methods and engineered for fast charging and high power applications. Building on this foundation, his current work advances energy storage systems, nanomaterials, and sustainable battery manufacturing, with particular focus on electrode engineering, pouch cell development, and pilot scale production. Before entering academia, he developed his career at the International Battery Center Sdn Bhd (IBC), a pioneering Malaysian start up in battery energy storage established in partnership with NanoMalaysia Berhad. Rising to the role of Chief Operating Officer, he and the leadership team guided the transition of laboratory innovations into pilot and pre commercial production, drove the development of pouch cells, designed stationary battery packs, and introduced lean manufacturing practices. They also ensured compliance with international safety standards, including IEC 62133 and UN38.3, positioning IBC as a benchmark for Malaysia’s growing battery industry. Dr. Zulhadi’s contributions include three patents in advanced battery technologies that focused on sustainable solutions for electrode manufacturing. Alongside his patents, he has built a solid record of peer reviewed publications that strengthen his academic profile. Positioned at the intersection of academia and industry, he continues to champion Malaysia’s energy transition while enhancing the nation’s presence in the global battery ecosystem.