Dr. Mohd Fairuz Zamani, commonly known as Fairuz Zamani, is currently serving as an academic at the Faculty of Creative Arts, Universiti Malaya (UM), where he holds the position of Deputy Dean of Postgraduate, Research & Innovation. His research focuses on contemporary Malaysian music composition, with particular interest in developing analytical frameworks for the works of Malaysian composers. Dr. Fairuz has published in several esteemed academic journals, including Muzikološki Zbornik, Malaysian Journal of Music, Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education, Wacana Seni, and 3L: Language, Linguistics, Literature. His forthcoming articles are scheduled for publication in Wacana Seni (late 2025) and Resonancias (mid 2026). He has led research projects aimed at promoting Malaysian piano repertoire to wider audiences and currently oversees a grant focused on analytical methodologies for selected works by Razak Abdul Aziz. Beyond academia, Dr. Fairuz is an active composer. He has been a member of the Malaysian Composers Collective since 2022, under which he premiered Phrygian Fantasy (2023), Kenyalang Rhapsody (2022), and Two Miniatures (2022). During his tenure as resident arranger for Koir Kebangsaan Malaysia and Permata Seni Koir, he composed two commissioned works for the Department of Culture and Arts, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC): Nuance of Rebab Fantasy (2013) and Mek Mulung Cycle (2018). His choral arrangements continue to be performed in national and international competitions, often by award-winning ensembles. Dr. Fairuz is also a seasoned performer and adjudicator. In June 2025, he was awarded the Prix de Perfectionnement à l’unanimité for outstanding performance at the Conservatoire International de Musique de Paris. His recent notable performances include Music of Johan Othman and Razak Aziz (2023), The Carnival of the Animals (2022) with the National Symphony Orchestra of Malaysia, and Beethoven’s 250th Birthday Celebration Concert at the German Embassy in Kuala Lumpur (2021). He has also served as adjudicator for events such as the MAME Folksong Festival (Piano category) and the 2nd China-ASEAN Music and Arts Cultural Exchange in 2024.

  Gs. Dr. Rosilawati Zainol is a Professor in Urban Analytics at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya (UM). Since joining UM in 2004, she has published quite a number of articles, chapters in books, and books related to sustainable urban development and tourism development. Her research interest is in urban analytics (the use of information technology in urban and regional planning and urban studies, especially in geographic information systems), spatial analysis and statistics, and the circular and informal economy. Her recent publications include Navigating challenges in the sustainable development of urban brownfields: A PLS path modeling perspective, A systematic literature review of brownfield sustainability: Dimensions, indicators, and stakeholders, Satisfaction of International and Domestic Tourists in Malaysia’s Oldest National Park: Taman Negara Pahang, A Review of Child-Friendly City Assessment Tools – Are We Really Planning Cities for Children? and Aplikasi Sistem Maklumat Geografi (GIS) dalam Perancangan Bandar.          

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