Born in Muar, Johor, Dr. Shafa is a Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Programme of Malay Studies, Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. She is a Guest Researcher affiliated with Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, Netherlands. Dr. Shafa was a Fellow at Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) for 2 years (2022-2023). Dr. Shafa experienced as Assistant Fellow (2006-2007) and College Fellow/Secretary (2008-2013) at Kolej Kediaman Tun Syed Zahiruddin (Ninth Residential College). In 2013-2019, Dr. Shafa lived in Leiden, Netherlands to continue her doctorate studies. Starting in January 2024 until present, Dr. Shafa serves as College Fellow/Treasurer at the same residential college.  Dr. Shafa obtained her Doctoral Degree from Leiden University, Netherlands on a thesis titled "Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice" under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Bernard Arps (promotor) and Dr. Suryadi (co-promotor) from Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University, Netherlands. Dr. Shafa earned her Master of Malay Studies in Performing Arts and Bachelor of Science in Biohealth (Honors), both from Universiti Malaya. Dr. Shafa specialises in heritage/traditional music, Southeast Asia music history, alternative culture (including punk rock), arts community, popular media and music care. Currently, she is working on a project - music care for caregivers - with her team members from Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Business and Economics, Faculty of Creative Arts and Faculty of Education. This project is under IIRG grant (2022-2025). As an ethnographer whose research sites exist between the online and offline in hybrid fields, Dr. Shafa's interdisciplinary music and/or expressive culture research moves with performers, industry professionals and audiences. In 2023, Dr. Shafa published her book titled "Malay Singing in Pahang Villages: Identity and Practice" (Publisher: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka). In 2016, Dr. Shafa with Associate Professor Dr. Salinah Ja'afar, Associate Professor Dr. Tengku Intan Marlina Tengku Mohd Ali and Datuk Dr. Zurinah Hassan (Malaysian National Laureate) published a book titled "Wacana Pantun Melayu" (Publisher: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka). In 2024, Dr. Shafa received Darjah Paduka Mahkota Perak (P.M.P) in conjunction with Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah's 68th birthday. Dr. Shafa was awarded Anugerah Penggiat Seni (Seni Berbahasa) Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur in 2023, Anugerah Biduan Syair ASEAN in 2022 and Anugerah Bitara Syair Nusantara in 2021. Also, Dr. Shafa was awarded Skim Latihan Akademik Fellowships (2008-2011 & 2013-2016) from Universiti Malaya. Dr. Shafa is a traditional music practitioner in Malaysia and has recorded more than 300 songs. She experienced in performing music in Southeast Asian Countries, China, Tasmania and the Netherlands. Her videos of music performance can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/@syafasara/videos

Ismail Ahmedy is an Associate Professor at the Department of Computer System and Technology (CST), Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Malaya. He is currently the Head for Research Grant Management Division, Department of Research Management, Universiti Malaya. He is also Head of the Center for Mobile Cloud Computing Research (C4MCCR). Previously, he was the Head of Department for Department of Computer System and Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya. He received his BSc (Computer) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2006. After completing his study, he has been granted a full scholarship to pursue his studies in Master and PhD where he received his MSc (Computer Science) from University of Queensland, Australia in 2009 and PhD (Computer Science) in 2015. He obtained his PhD (Computer Science) from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia specialized in communication protocol for wireless sensor networks. His research interests are WSN, Internet of Things, Energy Managament and Optimization Algorithm.  Ismail has been awarded several research grants as a principal investigator for MRUN-LRGS, FRGS, IIRG and other research grants approx. RM600K. He has been actively publishing more than 40 SCIE (WOS) journals. To date, he has successfully supervised 9 PhD and 3 Masters (by research) students.  

Dr. Sr Kho Mei Ye is a senior lecturer in the Department of Quantity Surveying, University of Malaya. She obtained her PhD from University Malaya in 2013. She has a Master Degree in Contract and Procurement and Bachelor Degree in Quantity Surveying from University of Malaya. Dr. Kho Mei Ye has worked as a consultant for a multinational construction company before she pursued her Master and PhD. She has worked and conducted research in several areas such as building commissioning, late payment, and project delay in construction. She has also been involved in many international and national conferences and workshops and has several journal publications to her name.