Dr Cheng Sit Foon is currently a Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Universiti Malaya. Prior to joining Universiti Malaya in 2008, she started her career as a research officer at Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) (2003 – 2007) and a lecturer at Sunway University (then Sunway University College) (2007 – 2008). Palm oil and palm oil industry is always close to her heart. Her exposure and experience in palm oil research dates back to 1999 as a MPOB scholar. Currently, she leads her research group ‘Unit of Research on Lipids (URL)’ where the main focus is laid on human nutrition and high valued oil-based through interdisciplinary research on oils and fats, more particularly on palm oil. As an educator, she is also involved in designing chemistry-related undergraduate courses. She has been appointed by other Universities as external examiner and assessors for academic programmes. Her administrative experiences in Universiti Malaya until 2020 include serving as the Programme Coordinator of Bachelor of Science (Applied Chemistry) and Head of Organic Chemistry Section, Department of Chemistry, Universiti Malaya, as well as the Faculty Mobility Coordinator of Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. While juggling between teaching, administrative duties, research and many more, she hopes to pursue her interest and catch up research gaps by establishing new collaboration network. 

Dr. Shafa'atussara Silahudin, born in Muar, Johor, is a distinguished Senior Lecturer and Programme Coordinator of Socio-Culture/Malay Arts at the Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. She was a Guest Researcher (2021-2022) at the Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, Netherlands. Her academic journey includes a Doctoral Degree from Leiden University, after completing her thesis titled 'Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice', supervised by Prof. Dr. Bernard Arps and Dr. Suryadi at the Leiden Institute for Area Studies. She also obtained her Master of Malay Studies in Performing Arts and Bachelor of Science in Biohealth (Honors) from Universiti Malaya. Dr. Shafa's academic and community engagement roles span several years. She was an Assistant Fellow (2006-2007) and College Fellow/Secretary (2008-2013) at Kolej Kediaman Tun Syed Zahiruddin (Ninth Residential College) and held a fellowship at Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) from 2022-2023.  Dr. Shafa specializes in traditional/heritage music, Southeast Asian music history, alternative culture (including punk rock), arts community, popular media and music care. She is actively involved in interdisciplinary research, notably a project on music care for caregivers and older adults, collaborating with faculties of Medicine, Business and Economics, Creative Arts and Education under an IIRG grant (2022-2025). Her ethnographic research covers hybrid online-offline expressive cultural fields involving performers, industry professionals and audiences. As a traditional music practitioner in Malaysia, Dr. Shafa has recorded over 300 songs and has performed across Southeast Asia, China, Australia and the Netherlands. Her music performance videos are publicly accessible online. Dr. Shafa has an extensive publication record that includes: The book 'Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice' published in 2023 by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) which was also the subject of her doctoral thesis. Co-authoring 'Wacana Pantun Melayu' in 2016, alongside Prof. Dr. Salinah Ja'afar, Associate Professor Dr. Tengku Intan Marlina Tengku Mohd Ali, and Malaysian National Laureate Datuk Dr. Zurinah Hassan, also published by DBP. Additional scholarly works from 2023 to present include topics such as music care for older adults and caregivers, Malay music in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and reflections on music education and music community post-COVID-19.  Dr. Shafa has received multiple prestigious awards acknowledging her artistic and academic excellence: Darjah Paduka Mahkota Perak (P.M.P.) awarded in conjunction with Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah's 68th birthday, recognizing her distinguished contributions to arts and culture. Anugerah Cemerlang Universiti Malaya (ACUM) 2024 for Arts, Culture & Creativity (Academic Staff), highlighting her outstanding academic and creative achievements. Anugerah Penggiat Seni (Seni Berbahasa) Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur in 2023. Anugerah Biduan Syair ASEAN in 2022. Anugerah Bitara Syair Nusantara in 2021. Champion, International Dendang Syair Competition in 2019. Skim Latihan Akademik Fellowships by Universiti Malaya 2008-2011 & 2013-2016. Significance and Impact: Dr. Shafa's body of work consolidates traditional Malay music and cultural heritage with contemporary academic inquiry and community engagement. By marrying ethnographic research with artistic practice, she fosters greater understanding and preservation of Malay cultural identity. Her interdisciplinary approach, involving collaborations across various university faculties and international ties, notably with Leiden University, underlines her impact on music care, cultural sustainability and the arts both within Malaysia and beyond. Her multifaceted achievements illustrate her role as key figure who bridges academia, arts, and community outreach, advancing Southeast Asian music and Malay arts scholarship while promoting cultural care practices and supporting artists and caregivers alike.

He received a bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 1995. Then, he joined Indonesian Aircraft Industries Ltd. (PT. IPTN/ Dirgantara Indonesia/ Indonesian-Aerospace Ltd), Bandung, Indonesia as a Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics engineer from 1995 to 1999. ALHAMDULILLAH, while working with PT. IPTN, he was given a sponsorship by the Ministry of National Education, Indonesia,for pursuing master degree in Mechanical Engineering at Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), Indonesia (completed in 1998). In October 1999, he was awarded a prominent PhD studentship from the Queen Mary and Westfield Research Council, University of London, and ALHAMDULILLAH he successfully accomplished his PhD in Computational Mechanics in 2003.Prior to joining Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia, in July 2004, he was working as a visiting researcher at Inter University Center, Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), Indonesia. In 2010, he joined University of Malaya, Malaysia, for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Next, prior to joining University of Pertamina in 2019, he was working with Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Brunei Darussalam (in 2016). In 2025, ALHAMDULILLAH, he was very pleased to make a return to Universiti Malaya (Department of Mechanical Engineering), Malaysia.