Associate Professor Dr Asrul is currently in the Department of Architecture at the Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya,  Kuala Lumpur, and has worked for the past 20 years. Has extensive teaching portfolio included, but is not limited to, teaching responsibilities, academic leadership responsibilities, the design, development, and accreditation of curriculum for both the Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees, participation in research and scholarly activities, and involvement in teaching, learning, and qualified practise. As a result of his extensive background, he has been invited to join the non-executive council member in the board of Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM),  and has been Accreditation Board of Architects Malaysia (LAM). Dr Asrul has served as Deputy Dean of Research and Development. Additionally, he has been appointed as visiting lecturer in Universiti Islam Indonesia in the year 2018 among others and presented as keynote speakers in international conferences organised by Architectural Institutions as well as universities locally and overseas. Academic and Research Career: With a desire to delve deeper into the world of academia, Dr. Asrul pursued higher studies and obtained a Doctorate in Architecture from University of Nottingham UK. Their research work in this area garnered significant attention and acclaim, establishing in the domain on sustainabile architecture and urban habitat. Dr. Asrul's relentless pursuit of excellence extended beyond the confines of their research lab. He actively engaged with students and fellow researchers, fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity and scientific rigor. This dedication to the profession and commitment to academic excellence earned Dr Asrul the "Certificate of Excellence Services" in 2006, 2020, and 2022, and also "Excellent Service Award," 2021, signifying the profound impact he had on the academic community over the years. His academic journey is a testament to the power of dedication, passion, and a commitment to excellence. Their numerous overseas engagement awards and accolades, including the "Diamond Award" British Invention Show", "Certificate of Excellence Services," "Excellent Service Award," and the "Vice Chancellor Price," exemplify their exceptional contributions to academia, research, and the promotion of sustainable development. Dr. Asrul's has sat and contribute as internal/external/chairman of over 15 thesis proposal Defence (PD), Candidature Defence (CD) and also Thesis Seminar, he had scholarly impact on the academic community and the dedication to environmental stewardship will continue to shape a brighter and more sustainable future for new generation of academia. Dr. Asrul has accomplishments and contributions have created significant impacts both locally and internationally. Earlier in May 2022, he took on the role of External Examiner for the Architectural Programme at the International University Kuala Lumpur (IUKL). This position allowed him to apply his expertise to influence the quality and direction of architectural education in one of Malaysia's prominent universities. In August 2022, Dr. Asrul achieved a significant milestone when he became the first Malaysian RU lecturer to deliver a public lecture at the University of Mongolia. His participation in ARCHASIA 2022-Ulanbatar paved the way for international academic exchange and further showcased his thought leadership in the field of architecture. Furthermore Dr. Asrul was appointed as the only Malaysian coordinator for the Indonesian Universities Architectural School Validation at Universitas Islam Indonesia. This esteemed role, entrusted to him by the Board of Architects Malaysia, in October 2022, demonstrates his knowledge and skills in architectural education. Dr. Asrul's organizational skills and academic prominence were further recognized on June 24, 2023, when he was appointed as the sole Malaysian RU Academic staff joint conference coordinator for the World Architectural Forum, scheduled to be held in 2024. The Malaysian Institute of Architects, a highly respected professional body, entrusted him with this important responsibility. His international reach, Dr. Asrul was appointed as the only Malaysian External Examiner and Guest Lecturer for the 2023-2024 academic session at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Hasanuddin in Sulawesi, Indonesia. This appointment, effective from June 26, 2023, signifies the respect and trust placed in his professional judgment and educational capabilities. Dr. Asrul's career and profound contributions to architecture and education have contribute to Universiti Malaya, his department and the nation. His commitment to fostering international collaboration and promoting excellence in architectural field and education continues to inspire his peers and the next generation of academia.

Dr. Norhayati is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya in Malaysia. Holding a PhD from the University of Reading, UK, awarded in 2011 under the Indoor Environment and Energy Research Group, she has cultivated a strong academic and research background. In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Norhayati holds the position of Registered Building Surveyor and is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Malaysia (MRISM), bringing a practical and professional dimension to her research. Her leadership journey in academia encompasses her role as the Deputy Dean (Development) for the Faculty of Built Environment presently and prior roles as the Head of the Department of Building Surveying and the Head of the Research Unit for Building Science & Performance at the Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, from 2014 to 2018. Currently, she holds the position of Deputy Dean (Development) for the faculty. Her research contributions extend beyond academia, with active participation in SIRIM International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as a Technical Committee of ISO/TC 146/SC2 for “IAQ and Workplace Atmospheres”. Dr. Norhayati has been actively involved in cutting-edge research in the fields of Indoor Environmental Quality and Zero Energy Buildings securing both national and international grants to support her research endeavors. Her work encompasses innovative approaches to enhancing indoor air quality, ventilation systems, and optimizing building energy and thermal performance. Her exceptional research efforts have earned her several awards, including the University of Malaya Excellence Service Award, Gold Awards at diverse International Research Innovation Competitions and the prestigious Hitachi Research Fellowship Award from The Hitachi Scholarship Foundation Japan. Demonstrating a notable research impact, she has published over 60 research articles with more than 1000 citations.

Jillian Ooi started out as an environmental social scientist but shifted to studying marine plants because she is fascinated by the sea. For her Master’s degree in Environmental Management, she explored the effects of disturbances on seaweed communities. She later earned a PhD in Seagrass Biogeography at the University of Western Australia as an Endeavour International Postgraduate Scholarship recipient. Working under the mentorship of Professor Gary Kendrick and the late Dr Kimberly Van Niel, she studied the spatial patterns and ecology of subtidal seagrasslands in the Johor islands. There, she fell irrevocably under the spell of these overlooked yet vital ecosystems. Jillian’s research consists of 3 themes: (1) investigating ecosystem functions of seagrass, particularly their roles as habitats and feeding grounds for fish and megafauna, (2) developing spatial distribution models for seagrass species in Southeast Asia, to provide an understanding of what makes a suitable seagrass habitat, and (3) developing effective restoration methods for seagrass and coral reefs. Her work has contributed to the gazettement of the Kepulauan Lima marine park in Johor (2023), strengthened protection for the Tioman Marine Park in Pahang (2007), and supported the establishment of a dugong sanctuary in Johor (2005 and 2017). Jillian enjoys working with local communities, spearheading and nurturing community-driven seagrass conservation initiatives in the Sungai Johor and Sungai Pulai estuaries. Her efforts focus on empowering local stakeholders through capacity building in seagrass monitoring and mapping. In 2015, Jillian received the Komai Fellowship to study the satoumi approach to seagrass restoration in Japan. In 2022, she was among six global researchers awarded the Pew Marine Fellowship for her work in seagrass restoration and to raise awareness about seagrass in Malaysia through the cultural arts approach. She blended the performing arts with science to create Seruan Setu, a groundbreaking gamelan music concert dedicated to seagrass ecosystems. When she is not underwater watching grass grow, Jillian is the Artistic Director and Music Director of Rhythm in Bronze, an award-winning contemporary gamelan ensemble based in Kuala Lumpur. Founded in 1997, Rhythm in Bronze is known for its pioneering efforts in showcasing the Malay gamelan as its main medium of musical expression. Jillian’s music direction and compositions for the gamelan have won awards and/or received nominations at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, which celebrates outstanding performances in music, dance, theatre and musical theatre in Malaysia. She considers the Sea her main source of musical inspiration.