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. Li Ran is Senior Lecturer at Institute of China Studies, Faculty of Art and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya. She obtained her doctoral degree in Economics from Department of Economics, Universiti Malaya in 2014. Her specialization is in the transformation of China’s state enterprises, state enterprise system and China’s political-economic system, and her current areas of research include China’s global strategy and China-Malaysia economic relations. Her previous writings have appeared in a number of international journals such as China: An International Journal, Cities, International Journal of China Studies, and Journal of Contemporary Asia. Moreover, her doctoral thesis was published as a book by a reputable publisher Palgrave Macmillan. She also wrote for Sin Chew Daily as a column author regularly.

Eric H.Y. Koh, PhD, CFA, FCPA (Aust.) is with the Department of Finance. His research interests are in bank and risk management. He offers a unique blend of practitioner experience and academic credentials. Eric began professional life with external auditing and subsequently joined the banking industry during which he held senior management positions. Besides teaching under- and post-graduate academic courses, Eric also facilitates professional courses and serves as an Examination Committee member of the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers. He has authored/co-authored several books and international peer-reviewed journal articles.   The following links are among some writeups on/by him and reviews of his work in leading international professional bodies: https://www.intheblack.com/articles/2019/12/01/eric-koh-fcpa-is-on-a-talent-quest https://blogs.cfainstitute.org/investor/2019/10/11/book-review-risk-management-competency-development-in-banks/ https://info.cfainstitute.org/Malaysia-Career-Portal-EricKoh.html   Eric is also a HRD Corp Accredited Trainer.