Dr. Rozaimah Zainudin is an accomplished Associate Professor in the Department of Finance at the Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Malaya. She obtained her Ph.D. in Finance from Universiti Malaya in 2011. She earned an MBA and a BBA (Finance) from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Malaysia. Dr. Zainudin's expertise in corporate finance, international finance and risk management. Her research contributions are widely recognized, evident in her extensive publications in reputable journals such as the International Journal of Emerging Markets, Borsa Istanbul Review, Journal of Business Ethics, and many others. She has also co-authored a book entitled “The Malaysian Banking Industry: Policies and Practices after the Asian Financial Crisis” published by Routledge in 2018 with the other two authors (BOOK : The Malaysian Banking Industry after the Asian Financial Crisis (Please click this link https://rdcu.be/4fwg). The book offers valuable insights into the evolution of policies, risk management, and bailout strategies. This comprehensive resource fills a crucial gap in the market, providing students, researchers, and practitioners with up-to-date knowledge on the dynamic landscape of Malaysian banking post-AFC. Dr. Zainudin's research interests extend to national and international projects, where she has been involved in several research grants focusing on topics like Financial Technology Usage and Financial Wellbeing, Shariah-Compliant Firms, Corporate Fraud, Financial Literacy and Corporate ESG-related studies. She presented her work findings at various international conferences, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing knowledge in finance. As an academic, Dr. Zainudin is involved in teaching and supervising postgraduate students, contributing significantly to the development of future scholars in her field.

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. Sareena Hanim Hamzah is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, Universiti Malaya for over 20 years and currently she serves in an administrative role as Deputy Dean of Higher Degree, Research and Innovation. Dr Sareena completed a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Then she studied at University of Glasgow, Scotland where she obtained her Master of Medical Sciences in Human Nutrition and PhD in Sports Nutrition. Dr. Sareena teaches and researches within the area of Sports Nutrition and Biochemistry of Exercise. Her primary interest concerns the association of nutrition with health, fitness and exercise performance. Dr. Sareena’s research is focused on the influence of diet on exercise energy metabolism and sports performance as well as on body weight management. Her research interest also includes the effects of natural products on antioxidant activity and oxidative stress. Dr. Sareena has been invited as keynote and guess speaker at various conferences, congresses and seminars, both locally and internationally. She also serves as an editorial board of international journals and has been appointed as an Executive Committee member of Asian Nutrition Society of Sports and Health (2015 to present).