Vilashini Somiah is an anthropologist who is a senior lecturer at the Gender Studies Programme at Universiti Malaya. She received her PhD from the National University of Singapore, an MA from Ohio University, an MRes from Universiti Malaya and a BA from the Universiti Malaya. She maintains a keen interest for underrepresented narratives of women, migrants and Borneans living in the interiors. She is the co-editor of “Sabah From the Ground: The 2020 Elections and the Politics of Survival (SIRD/ISEAS, 2021), and her first book, “Irregular Migrants and the Sea at the Borders of Sabah, Malaysia: Pelagic Alliance'' with Palgrave Macmillan (TBC 2022). Outside of academia, she writes ethnographic articles on the local socio-political landscape.

Dr. Farazila Binti Yusof, or Fara as she is affectionately known was born and raised in the scenic town of Muar, Johor, Dr. Farazila Binti Yusof has carved a distinguished path in the academic and engineering worlds. Known for her profound dedication and expertise, Fara’s journey from a curious village girl in Muar to an influential academic leader is a story of passion, dedication, and perseverance. Dr. Farazila embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor’s Degree in CAD/M Engineering, followed by a Master of Engineering Science at Universiti Malaya, and culminating in a Doctor of Engineering at Japan. Each step in her educational path fortified her foundation and fueled her commitment to advancing the engineering field. Currently serving as the Executive Director at the Centre of Foundation Studies in Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Dr. Farazila has held several pivotal positions within the university. Prior to her current role, she was the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department from 2021 to 2022 and the Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies at the Faculty of Engineering from 2019 to 2021. Her leadership roles are characterized by visionary guidance and a relentless pursuit of excellence in engineering education and research. Dr. Farazila is a renowned scholar in the fields of welding, joining, and additive manufacturing. Her academic contributions include supervising over 25 PhD candidates and 7 masters students, alongside publishing more than 120 refereed journal articles. Her work not only advances the state of engineering but also mentors the next generation of engineers and researchers. When she is not immersed in her academic and professional endeavors, Dr. Farazila enjoys traveling. Her travels are not just escapes but also another way for her to explore and understand the engineering marvels of the world, blending her personal interests seamlessly with her professional passions. Her vision in the future to become a leading expert in advanced manufacturing technology specifically in additive manufacturing which contributing to efficient, safer and sustainable manufacturing process as well as mentoring the next generation of technology professionals.

  Selvajothi Ramalingam is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Malaysian Languages and Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics (FLL), Universiti Malaya. He obtained a Ph.D. in Sociolinguistics in 2018, a Master of Modern Languages Studies in 2010; Bachelor in Arts and Social Sciences in 2001 at the University of Malaya. He also received a Diploma in Teaching from Tuanku Bainun Teachers Training College (Secondary School /Tamil Language) in 2002 and a Diploma in Translation from the Malaysian Translation Association and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka in 2014. His Ph.D. research topic is Language Shift and Maintenance among Tamils in Kuching, Sarawak. The main fields of interest are sociolinguistics, mother tongue education, indigenous study, translation, and language use in job interviews. He is a writer for the Form Three Tamil Textbook and Form Five Tamil Textbook, currently used by the Ministry of Education (MOE). He is an External Examiner for the Curriculum Review of the Malaysian Institute of Teacher Education (Institue Pendidikan Guru Malaysia) for the Tamil Language Degree Program under MOE. He is an advisor for a Government-funded project “Parents Assuring Students Success” organized by the Tamil Foundation of Malaysia. He is a Council Member of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka for multi-ethnic affairs (Malay language and literature) and a Committee Member of the Semai Language Research Project by the Curriculum Development Division of the Ministry of Education. He is also a panel member of the Malaysian Indian Research Centre of the Department of Indian Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya. As an administrative duty, he is a Coordinator for Unit Pembangunan of FLL.