Prof Dr. Raymond Ooi is a quantum physicist with outstanding scholastic achievements. The novelty of his research is the unique combinations of different ideas or topics covering quantum optics, nonlinear optics, plasmonics, molecular spectroscopy, statistical physics of Bose-Einstein condensates and interactions with intense laser pulses. Prof Dr. Raymond Ooi is well recognized in his field, internationally and locally, evidenced by the international and national awards he has received. The Nobel Committee for Physics on behalf of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences invited him as a nominator for “The Nobel Prize in Physics for 2021”.  In 2025 he was elected a Fellow of OPTICA for the development of quantum theoretical framework (Heisenberg-Langevin theory) on nonclassical photon correlations in Raman and quantum plasmonic systems. He is the first Malaysian to be elected a Fellow by OPTICA, the leading global professional society for scientists, engineers, and professionals, which recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions in optics and photonics (the science of light). In 2013 he won the Malaysia Toray Science Foundation Science & Technology Award. He was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) in 2015, and has been actively contributing his knowledge, ideas and opinions through activities/events in the Academy. He is also an elected Fellow of Academy of Engineering and Technology of the Developing World (AETDEW). He was a Visiting Professor at Nanyang Technological University in 2015-2019. Raymond Ooi obtained his Dr.rer.nat (PhD) from Universitaet Konstanz, Germany in 2003. He spent 3 years as a postdoc at Texas A&M University, was a regular Visiting Scientist at Princeton University and Max-Planck Institut fuer Quantenoptik, and has collaborated with reputed leaders in quantum physics. He has contributed to the theory of strong fields interactions, particularly generalized Keldysh’s theory of photoionization while at KAIST and Korea University. In 2010, he made a sacrifice to return and develop quantum optics research for Malaysia, initiated "Quantum and Laser Science" research center at Universiti Malaya. Despite being a theorist, he recognizes the importance of experimentation and has secured a High Impact Research grant and single-handedly developed experimental lab on quantum and laser science, including Ultrafast High Intensity Femtosecond Laser and Optics facility. He was awarded the Long-Term Research Grant Scheme (LRGS) in 2020-2025 awarded by the Ministry of Higher Education. As the Principal Investigator he leads the national quantum communication research program. He was also engaged in several interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary project including brain research, green technology and poverty alleviation. He has 2 patents on harnessing green energy. Prof Dr Raymond Ooi has pioneered quantum optics and technology research and education in Malaysia, developed an undergraduate course on Quantum Optics and a postgraduate course on Quantum Technology. Besides being invited/plenary speaker at more than 35 international conferences, he regularly gave open public Seminars and Workshops to inspire students and the public on the wonders of quantum science and technology. Prof Dr Raymond Ooi is recognized globally, was invited a Guest of Honour at 6th Science & Technology Program (STEP) and Mustafa Prize Award ceremony, Tehran, Iran in 2019.  In 2018, he successfully initiated and chaired the first international conference on Quantum and Nonlinear Optics(QNO2018) attended by many luminaries in the field through the support of three external funds.  He served as a Judge for MIT Technology Review “Innovators Under 35 Asia Pacific” and editorial board member for the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A and the New Journal of Physics (IOP). He published a book “The Way of Creation, Nature & Life: Physics and Mathematics Perspectives”, and has written articles in the media, connecting science with recent issues, green energy and climate change.

Dr. Baskaran Angathevar is Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Department of Political Science, Public Administration and Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Malaya. He holds PhD (Science & Technology Policy Studies, Sussex, UK), MSc (Financial Management, Middlesex, UK), MPhil (International Studies, JNU, India), MA (History, Punjab, India), MA (Political Science, Madurai, India), and BA (History & Pol. Sci., Madurai, India). His reseaerch interests include Economics of Innovation, National Innovation Systems, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Environmental Sustainability in Organisations, with the main focus on multidisciplinary themes reltes to emerging and developing economies. He has led several research projects including: "Business Incubators for Social Enterprise, Social Inclusion, and Inclusive Growth", "Role of Social Enterprise in Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development in Malaysia", "Exploratory Study of the Solar Industry Ecosystem in Malaysia (University Grants); Developing Environmental Reporting Framework for the Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia: Using Q-Methodological Approach" (FRGS, Government of Malaysia) and "Catching-up along the Global Value Chain: models, determinants and policy implications in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution" (European Commission Grant). Currently leading projects on: "I-RECYCLE - MALAYSIA: Innovative Recycling of E-Waste for Critical Metals and Sustainable Economy in Malaysia" (WP5: Global Value Chain, Polocy Development, and Stakeholder Engagement), in colloboration with Queen's University of Belfast, UK; and Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) – Government of Malaysia: “Looking Beyond Digital Adoption among the SMEs in Malaysia: Developing a Framework for Enhancing Digital Utilisation and Resilience".  He has also contributed to reseaerch projects for UNESCO, the OECD, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), and United Nations Global Compact (Malaysia and Brinei). His previous work experience includes: Research Fellow, Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at Middlesex University Business School, London, UK (1999 to 2014); Senior Associate Research Fellow, SARChI Chair Programme, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. He has taught several courses at UG level including:  Entrepreneurial Economics, Small Entrepreneurship Development/ SME Development, Research Methodology (at University of Malaya); Business Decisions; Managerial Finance; Corporate Reporting; Research Project; Accounting for Business; Accounting Theories and Research Methods (at Middlesex University). PG courses: Entrepreneurship and Development, Sustainable Development and Environmental Management, Environmental Sustainability in Organisations, Globalization and Development, Poverty and Inequality, and Development Theory and Practice (at University of Malaya); Research Methodology, Financial Management for the Small Business; Entrepreneurial Finance; and Financial & Management Accounting (at Middlesex University). He supervised over 100 UG projects including industrial placement projects (over 50 at University of Malaya); over 150 Masters Dissertations and Research Projects (Over 50 Projects at University of Malaya); and 14 Doctoral completion (11 at University of Malaya).  Examined over 30 PhD Thesis for universities in the UK, Italy, Malaysia, and India. Produced over 150 publications, including 15 books, 30 book chapters, and over 50 articles in internationally refereed journals. Contributed to UNESCO Science Report 2015, OECD - Microenterprise Breakout Strategy in Malaysia and Oxford Analytica, UK - Indian National Innovation System. Reviewed research funding applications for Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Government of Malaysia, DFID-ESRC Growth Research Programme, UK and Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), and reviewed several papers for journals and conferences.  Led several research projects including: "Business Incubators for Social Enterprise, Social Inclusion, and Inclusive Growth", "Role of Social Enterprise in Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development in Malaysia", "Exploratory Study of the Solar Industry Ecosystem in Malaysia (University Grants); Developing Environmental Reporting Framework for the Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia: Using Q-Methodological Approach" (FRGS, Government of Malaysia) and "Catching-up along the Global Value Chain: models, determinants and policy implications in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution" (European Commission Grant). Currently leading projects on: "I-RECYCLE - MALAYSIA: Innovative Recycling of E-Waste for Critical Metals and Sustainable Economy in Malaysia" (WP5: Global Value Chain, Polocy Development, and Stakeholder Engagement), in colloboration with Queen's University of Belfast, UK; and Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) – Government of Malaysia: “Looking Beyond Digital Adoption among the SMEs in Malaysia: Developing a Framework for Enhancing Digital Utilisation and Resilience". He has research collaborative links in several countries including South Africa, China, India, Bangladesh, Italy, Finland, and UK. Actively involved in GLOBELICS, ASIALICS, and AFRICALICS research networks.  He was invited as expert speaker on innovation systems by several institutions including UNCTAD, Department of Science and Technology in South Africa, CASTED & IPM, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing), and invited speakers at universities in Denmark, Finland, China, India, and South Africa.  He is Co-Editor-in-Chief, African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development (AJSTID); Member, Editorial Board in: International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, Asian Journal of Technology Innovation, and Innovation and Development.         

Dr. Mohd Nashrul Mohd Zubir received his B. Eng. (Hons.) in Mechanical Engineering from University of Malaya (UM) in 2006. Upon graduation, he spent a short stint in SONY EMCS Malaysia as Design Engineer. He was then offered a scholarship under SLAB/SLAI fellowship program to pursue his postgraduate study in Monash University Australia where he obtained his MSc in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in 2010. Upon returning to Malaysia he further pursued his Ph.D. in heat transfer discipline at UM under similar scholarship program by which he was awarded the degree in 2015. Currently, he is an Associate Professor with University of Malaya (UM). His research interest spans from active and passive heat transfer enhancement, nanomaterial synthesis for heat transfer and gas separation applications, solar based renewable energy to fouling mitigation and desalination system. Dr. Nashrul currently has more than 100 ISI publications which mostly under Tier 1 and 2 ranking.