Dr. Farazila Binti Yusof, or Fara as she is affectionately known was born and raised in the scenic town of Muar, Johor, Dr. Farazila Binti Yusof has carved a distinguished path in the academic and engineering worlds. Known for her profound dedication and expertise, Fara’s journey from a curious village girl in Muar to an influential academic leader is a story of passion, dedication, and perseverance. Dr. Farazila embarked on her academic journey with a Bachelor’s Degree in CAD/M Engineering, followed by a Master of Engineering Science at Universiti Malaya, and culminating in a Doctor of Engineering at Japan. Each step in her educational path fortified her foundation and fueled her commitment to advancing the engineering field. Currently serving as the Executive Director at the Centre of Foundation Studies in Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Dr. Farazila has held several pivotal positions within the university. Prior to her current role, she was the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department from 2021 to 2022 and the Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies at the Faculty of Engineering from 2019 to 2021. Her leadership roles are characterized by visionary guidance and a relentless pursuit of excellence in engineering education and research. Dr. Farazila is a renowned scholar in the fields of welding, joining, and additive manufacturing. Her academic contributions include supervising over 25 PhD candidates and 7 masters students, alongside publishing more than 120 refereed journal articles. Her work not only advances the state of engineering but also mentors the next generation of engineers and researchers. When she is not immersed in her academic and professional endeavors, Dr. Farazila enjoys traveling. Her travels are not just escapes but also another way for her to explore and understand the engineering marvels of the world, blending her personal interests seamlessly with her professional passions. Her vision in the future to become a leading expert in advanced manufacturing technology specifically in additive manufacturing which contributing to efficient, safer and sustainable manufacturing process as well as mentoring the next generation of technology professionals.

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. Pauline Yeoh is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. She earned her Doctoral Degree through the Fast Track PhD program, Graduate On Time with Distinction for Thesis. Registered as a Graduate Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia, Dr. Yeoh is passionate about advancing digital health and strives to bridge the gap between engineering and medicine through innovative research in computational intelligence for healthcare applications. Her research involvement spans national, industrial, and international collaborations, including participation in the China–Malaysia ‘AI+’ New Materials Joint Laboratory between Universiti Malaya and Peking University. During her PhD, she was selected as one of only 30 participants for the Association of Commonwealth Universities Summer School 2022 and served as a visiting PhD student at Xuzhou Medical University, China. She actively fosters global academic engagement and multidisciplinary research dialogues.