I am Erma Rahayu Mohd Faizal Abdullah, the Head of the Department of Artificial Intelligence at Universiti Malaya. My passion lies in advancing the fields of computer vision, machine learning, and their applications in areas such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing. As an academic, I’ve had the privilege of shaping the AI curriculum at Universiti Malaya, including designing courses like Artificial Intelligence: Principles & Techniques and NextGen Software Development. My goal is to ensure students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the evolving AI landscape. My research focuses on solving real-world problems through AI. One of my proudest projects is UMFit, a real-time monitoring app for cardiac patients that aims to improve healthcare accessibility and reduce clinical burdens. I’m also actively involved in using CBCT data for dentistry research and collaborating with Perodua to enhance automation and quality systems in manufacturing. Ethical AI is a significant part of my work. As an IEEE CertifAIEd™ Authorized Assessor, I focus on promoting algorithmic fairness, transparency, and privacy. I also apply explainable AI (XAI) tools, such as SHAP, to ensure my AI models are interpretable and trustworthy. Education is my passion, and I strive to empower students with high-order thinking skills and innovative approaches to learning. I also enjoy collaborating with international scholars, such as hosting Nishitani Aoi from Ehime University, and incorporating dynamic topics like intelligent agents and Data Intelligence into the curriculum. I strongly believe in building bridges between academia and industry. Collaborations with global leaders like Zhipu AI and Alto AI have brought valuable resources to my department, ensuring we remain at the forefront of AI research and innovation. I am driven by a vision of creating impactful AI solutions and nurturing the next generation of AI experts. My journey continues to be fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to ethical innovation.

Growing up and residing in a longhouse nestled within Sarawak's interior profoundly influenced my research interests and dedication to disseminating knowledge from Borneo. Witnessing the impact of globalization on the socio-cultural landscape of our indigenous Borneo community has underscored the importance of preserving our cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, and artistic expressions to safeguard our identity and ensure sustainability for future generations. This deep-seated concern motivates my passionate commitment to understanding and exploring this topic, aiming to bridge the divide between academia and our rich cultural legacy. As an academician at the Visual Arts Department, Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Malaya, my research journey led me to investigate the conservation of cultural artifacts within the Iban community at the Sarawak Museum. My doctoral thesis, titled "Conservation of Cultural Artifacts of the Iban Community in the Sarawak Museum," involved ethnographic studies of the Iban community's utilization of cultural artifacts, along with the Sarawak Museum's efforts to preserve these items as cultural heritage. Over the years, my scholarly contributions have included the publication of 24 peer-reviewed journals, one of which is indexed in SCOPUS Q2, and the others are recognized by Google Scholar. Additionally, I authored the book "PENGANAN," published by UNIMAS PUBLISHER. In 2022, I served as a paper review panelist for the Sarawak Museum Journal and took on the role of Academic Advisor for the Text Panel at the International Society for Academic Research on Shamanism (ISARS) Conference 2022 Temporary Exhibition, organized by the Sarawak Museum Department. My involvement in various research initiatives has encompassed projects such as the Long Pasia Heritage Research (in collaboration with UMS and the National Heritage Department in 2015), the Iban Legacy project under the Dayak Chair Foundation at UNIMAS, and the Transformation Project of the old DUN Building into the Sarawak Performing Arts Center (a collaboration between UNIMAS, Sarawak Arts Council, and Sarawak Public Works Department in 2019).

Dr. Azni Zarina Taha (PhD, Aston University) serves as the Executive Director of UMGiving at Universiti Malaya, where she combines her academic foundation in organization and strategy with her extensive consultancy experience. Prior to this post, she was the Executive Director for Universiti Malaya Center for Continuing Education (UMCCed) and Deputy Director for UMConsult. Holding a PhD in strategy and organizational change, an MBA from Universiti Malaya, and a BSc from the University of Missouri, Dr. Azni is well-regarded for her contributions to management education and strategic development. In her academic role, Dr. Azni teaches corporate strategy and most management-related subjects, integrating academic theory with insights from her consultancy projects. Some of the management-related subjects include, change management in disruptive times, sustainable service innovations, performance management, international business, and training management. She has successfully completed supervising four (4) PhD students. She has published in several refereed and index journals, including Operations Management Research and Tourism Management.  She has delivered tailored training programs for organizations such as Panasonic Malaysia, the Malaysia Armed Forces, and Infineon Technologies, empowering these teams with advanced strategic skills. She has also conducted international training programs for Aoyama Business School (Japan), Kyoto Institute of Technology (Japan), Aston University (UK), and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (Oman).  As a consultant, Dr. Azni has advised high-profile organizations across sectors. Her consultancy work with the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN), and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) highlights her commitment to supporting Malaysia’s economic and industrial advancements. Other notable projects include developing a strategic customer service roadmap for Kumpulan Wang Amanah Pekerja (KWAP), profiling mosques as tourism attractions for the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC), and creating the Aerospace Industry 4.0 Readiness Index (AIR4S).