Dr Benedict Francis is a psychiatrist at the University Malaya Medical Centre. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya and was selected for the Brightsparks scholarship to pursue his Masters in Psychological Medicine at his alma mater, the University of Malaya. Subsequently, he completed a fellowship program in Aged Healthcare Services at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, in 2019. Dr Benedict is a keen researcher and is involved in several international, multi-centre clinical trials involving novel antipsychotics and antidepressants. He has also published in several international and regional peer-reviewed journals and presented in international congresses. Dr Benedict is a clinical expert in treatment resistant depression. He was part of the Ministry of Health’s  National Advisory Board committee that drafted the guidelines for prescribing and dispensing Esketamine, a novel adjunct antidepressant treatment. Dr Benedict is regarded as a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in the fields of treatment resistant depression and schizophrenia, and is regularly invited as a speaker at both local and regional events. His passion and interest is in the mechanism of action of rapid-acting antidepressants and treatment optimization of patients with treatment resistant depression. 

Dr. Khadijah Mohd Khambali @ Hambali, who graduated from the Universiti Malaya (Bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. degree) is currently the Professor at the Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, working in the Department of Aqidah and Islamic Thought. She has been appointed as Director of the Universiti Malaya Centre of Civilisational Dialogue (UMCCD) from September 2024-August 2026. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Institut of Islamic Understanding, Malaysia for Shariah, Law and Politics Studies (SYARAK) with effect from June 3, 2025 to May 31, 2026.  She served as the post of Co-ordinator of the University Co-Curriculum and Elective Section (SKET) and currently known as CITRA, Universiti Malaya (2004-2006), Deputy Director of Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, Universiti Malaya (2006-2007). She was also a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Muslim-Christian Understanding (CMCU), Georgetown University, Washington DC from 2001-2002, Research Fellow in Religious Studies Programme, School of Arts History, Classics and Religious Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand (March 2008-September 2008) and the Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Leeds in 2013 for a one year.  Professor Dr. Khadijah's broad academic and research interests involve Comparative Religion, Religious Studies, Interfaith Dialogue, Mualaf Community, and Islamic Thoughts. She produced over 318 publications including books, chapters in books, articles in refereed journals including WoS and Scopus indexed, conference proceedings that were presented nationally and internationally, and magazines.    Professor Dr. Khadijah currently produced more than 51 master students and 31 doctorate students in her fields. In the professional field, she involves in various committees; as a member of the committee on religious issues at the National Security Council of Malaysia (2010-2013), and the member of the Research Committee of the Wasatiyyah Institute Malaysia (2017-2018); and currently, she is a member of the Islamic Religious Council, State of Selangor (MAIS) from 2018 and present; a member of the Selangor State Fatwa Committee from 2018 and present; member of the Selangor State Religious Control committee from 2018-2023 and chief in editor of AL-UMMAH Journal as well as an editorial board of Islamic Journal, Turkey and AFKAR Journal (SCOPUS-Q2). She is also a committee member of the Islamic Media at Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) from 2020 and present, member of Islamic Studies Programme Standard Expert for MQA, academic advisor for local universities, and experts panel for long life learning modules for JAKIM and JAIS; and postgraduate external examiners. Professor Dr. Khadijah also provided affidavits of the Allah sentencing issues for the Attorney General Chambers and the National Security Council as well as for JAKIM. She also contributes to society through her involvement with a number of a non-government organization (NGO) including ALUMNI Academy of Islamic Studies (ALIM). 

Dr. Nurul Nadhirah, a Senior Lecturer at the Glami Lemi Biotechnology Research Centre, Universiti Malaya, is a renowned researcher in plant biotechnology. She has specialized expertise in the tissue culture of fern species and selected crop plants, making significant contributions to the understanding and cultivation of these plants for both scientific and practical applications.       In addition to her work in plant tissue culture, Dr. Nadhirah has extensive knowledge in taxonomy, systematics, and biodiversity of ferns (pteridophytes). Her academic interests are centered on exploring the vast diversity of ferns, studying their classification, and understanding their ecological roles in different environments. She obtained her PhD in Botany from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, where her research focused on spore culture of various fern species found in Malaysia.      She has published numerous papers on plant tissue culture, fern taxonomy, and biodiversity, establishing her as an expert in the field. She is an active participant in scientific expeditions, collaborating with government and NGOs, to collect valuable data on plant species and contribute to conservation efforts aimed at protecting Malaysia's natural heritage.