As a Senior Lecturer at the prestigious University of Malaya, I bring a wealth of expertise in parliamentary behavior and foreign affairs studies, with a particular focus on Malaysia-China Relations, the South China Sea dispute, defense analysis, and international relations. I earned my Doctor of Law degree from Xiamen University, where my doctoral thesis delved into the intricate dynamics of Malaysia-China relations, specifically from the unique perspective of Malaysian parliamentary proceedings. This in-depth analysis provides a nuanced understanding of the diplomatic intricacies between the two nations. My dedication to advancing knowledge is reflected in my scholarly contributions. My academic journey has been guided by a passion for unraveling the complexities of international relations, providing insights that not only enrich the academic community but also inform policymakers and stakeholders. Through my research, teaching, and commitment to academic excellence, I aim to make enduring contributions to the understanding of parliamentary behavior, foreign affairs, and the intricate tapestry of Malaysia's international relationships.
show more »Hesham Al-Mekhlafi has a PhD in public health (2008), master’s degrees in medical science (parasitology) (2004) and in applied statistics (2012) as well as a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratories (1997). Since early 2000s, he has been actively engaged in research on the molecular epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases including malaria, neglected tropical diseases, NTDs (such as soil-transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis and dengue fever), and waterborne parasites. He joined the department of parasitology, University of Malaya (a regional leading dept. in parasitology research) for seven years (2009–2016) as a senior lecturer and promoted to associate professor. In 2016, he joined Jazan University, Saudi Arabia and promoted to full professor in 2022. He re-joined Universiti Malaya in 2023. He has taught several courses in parasitology, epidemiology, biostatistics, and research methodology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has established passionate research teams that involved diligent postgraduate students, enthusiastic colleagues, and inspiring national and international collaborators. The research dedicated to helping vulnerable rural and aboriginal communities in Malaysia and other countries including Yemen, Nigeria and Libya against the NTDs, malaria and other infectious diseases. He has published more than 150 articles in high-impact ISI & Scopus indexed journals; with h-index of 41 (WoS). Hesham has been a member of several academic, scientific and administrative councils and committees. He also enjoys reviewing scientific manuscripts, research proposals, plans and strategies, theses and reports, etc. He is a member of the editorial boards of several renowned journals, and a regular reviewer for many peer-reviewed journals as well as a panel member of assessors for various national and international research grant schemes and postgraduate programs.
show more »Dr. Fong Chng Saun is a senior lecturer at the Institute for Advanced Studies at Universiti Malaya. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science and Technology from University Putra Malaysia in 2016. Recognizing his academic excellence, he was offered the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree at Universiti Malaya, where he completed his PhD in Environmental Science, specializing in Urban Ecosystem Management, in 2021. Dr. Fong's primary research interest lies in urban ecosystem management with a significant emphasis on the urban heat island effect in tropical cities. His expertise extends to various domains including environmental science and technology, sustainable development, and atmospheric-related research such as air pollution monitoring and its health impacts. His work in these areas has garnered him recognition as a finalist for the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) Chrysalis Award in 2020 and a place among the top 100 Scientists of Malaysia in the same year. Beyond his core research, Dr. Fong is proficient in using automated weather stations and IoT systems for continuous environmental monitoring. He has also made significant contributions to outdoor thermal comfort assessments, the study of heat stress and related illnesses, 3D urban microclimate modeling and simulation, air quality assessment, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), environmental pollution assessment, and climate resilience and adaptation. Dr. Fong has been prolific in his academic contributions, regularly publishing technical research articles, reviews, books, and book chapters in reputable journals. He serves as an invited reviewer for high-impact journals such as Science of the Total Environment, Sustainable Cities and Society, Energy & Buildings, Sustainability, and Urban Science. His notable research projects include studies on the urban heat island phenomenon in tropical cities, evaluating walkability indices to promote sustainable transportation at Universiti Malaya, and spearheading a carbon neutrality acceleration initiative centered on greenhouse gas emission analytics. Currently, he is involved in the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Respiratory Health (RESPIRE) Air Quality Study, which explores the impact of environmental and air quality indicators on asthma health outcomes in Greater Kuala Lumpur. Dr. Fong is also deeply involved in the field of planetary health, addressing the interconnections between human health and the health of our planet. His research on future cities focuses on creating sustainable urban environments that can withstand the challenges of climate change and urbanization. This includes investigating the effects of urban design and greening on human health and the environment, developing strategies for urban heat mitigation, and promoting resilience and adaptation to extreme weather events. He is currently leading the Institute for Advanced Studies-Universiti Malaya Planetary Health (IAS-UMPH) as Program Director. In addition to his research, Dr. Fong actively collaborates with various governmental bodies, private sectors, NGOs, and researchers from local and international universities. His dedication to the field of atmospheric technology has earned him membership in the Malaysian Board of Technologists. He is also a member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities' Sustainable Urban Design Working Group and the Landscape and Human Health Working Group. He is also appointed as the Living Labs coordinator under Universiti Malaya Sustainable Development Center and a member of the Universiti Malaya Climate Change Committee for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES). Dr. Fong welcomes all forms of collaboration, especially those closely linked to urban sustainability and well-being, aiming to foster healthier and more sustainable future cities.
show more »RECENT PUBLICATION
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Abdullah, Muhammad Fazrin; Jauhari, Iswadi; Sabri, Mohd Faizul Mohd; Ghazali, Nik Nazri Nik (2025). A Novel Vertical Axis Parallel Turbines System for in-pipe Hydropower Generation: Conceptual Design and Preliminary Experiment. Energy Sources Part a-recovery Utilization and Environmental Effects
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Shaharudin, Mohd Rizaimy; Zailani, Suhaiza; Tan, Keah-Choon; Cross, James; Hotrawaisaya, Chattrarat (2025). Fostering Closed-loop Supply Chain Orientation by Leveraging Strategic Green Capabilities for Circular Economy Performance: Empirical Evidence from Malaysian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturing Firms. Environment Development and Sustainability
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Wong, Li Ping; Alias, Haridah; Tan, Sik-Loo; Sia, Thiam Eng; Saw, Aik (2025). An Exploration of Death Anxiety of Family Members of Silent Mentor Body Donation Program. Omega-journal of Death and Dying
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Altarturi, Hamza H. M.; Nor, Adibi Rahiman Md; Jaafar, Noor Ismawati; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2025). A Bibliometric and Content Analysis of Technological Advancement Applications in Agricultural E-commerce. Electronic Commerce Research
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Zhao, Yang; Hamidi, Mashitah; Abd Wahab, Haris (2025). Challenges of Palliative Care in Advanced Cancer Patients in The Chinese Mainland: a Qualitative Study. Omega-journal of Death and Dying
TOTAL PUBLICATIONS AS OF DATE 2026
LATEST AWARDED GRANT
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Developing Ethical Competence for Net Zero Leadership: a Participatory Campus-based Approach
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Smart-care@pasum: An Integrated Student Performance and Well-being Monitoring System Towards a Sustainable and Caring Campus
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Enhancing Evacuation Safety Through a Fire Safety? Sustainability Checklist and Escape-route Visibility Improvements in UM?s Legacy Residential Colleges
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Protecting and Conserving Fireflies Population in Universiti Malaya
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Citizen Scientists in The Field: Monitoring and Mapping of Fauna Diversity in Rimba Ilmu, Universiti Malaya
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Neuroscience-driven Sustainability Learning Towards a Net Zero Campus
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Islamic Green Financing Framework for a Net Zero University: Modelling Shariah-compliant Funding for UM?s Decarbonisation Pathway
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Integrating Soil Carbon Stocks and Water Quality Dynamics for Climate-responsive Landscape Management
