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.

Dr Nortina Shahrizaila graduated from University of Nottingham Medical School in 1997. She completed her neurology training and doctorate degree in the UK before returning to Malaysia in 2009.  She is Professor of Neurology and Consultant Neurologist at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur. She has subspecialty clinical and research interests in the field of neuromuscular disorders, including motor neurone disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MND/ALS) and inflammatory neuropathies. She leads the multidisciplinary MND/ALS clinic at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre. She has served as Secretary of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (2022-2024) and is currently the President of the Pan-Asian Consortium for Treatment and Research in ALS (PACTALS)

Dr. Azar is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Language and Literacy Education, Faculty of Education, University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia. He earned his Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics from the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, University of Malaya. With over 27 years of experience, he has served as an EFL/ESL senior lecturer, researcher, and curriculum developer in Iran, Turkey, Qatar, and Malaysia. His research interests include academic discourse analysis, genre analysis, corpus linguistics, TESL, educational technology, and English language teaching strategies. He has published widely in prestigious journals such as GEMA Online® Journal of Language Studies, Asian ESP Journal, Asian EFL Journal, Studies in English Language and Education, World Journal of English Language, and Education and Information Technologies (Springer). Dr. Azar is the corresponding author of two recent articles: “Humour Discourse in ESL Classrooms: A Critical Literature Review,” published in the European Journal of Humour Research, and “Exploring AI-Generated Feedback in Second Language Writing: Learner Perceptions, Effectiveness, and Challenges,” both contributing to ongoing discussions in applied linguistics, ESL pedagogy, and AI-assisted language education. He currently serves as the Head of Professional Development, Artificial Intelligence and Technology Outreach at the Malaysian Association of Applied Linguistics (MAAL). Dr. Azar is also the editor of several scholarly volumes published by IGI Global (USA), including Reconceptions of Policies, Strategies, and Challenges in Education 5.0; Innovations in Educational Robotics: Advancing AI for Sustainable Development; and Smart Education and Sustainable Learning Environments in Smart Cities. Additionally, he sits on the editorial boards of several academic journals, including the Asian Journal of University Education (AJUE) – Scopus Q1, Universiti Teknologi MARA; the International Journal of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics (IJMAL) – Akademi Pengajian Bahasa, UiTM; Education Quarterly Reviews – ERIC-indexed, Asian Institute of Research; and the Journal of Pragmatics and Discourse Research – SINTA 3, PPJBSIP, Indonesia.