Hesham Al-Mekhlafi has a PhD in public health (2008), master’s degrees in medical science (parasitology) (2004) and in applied statistics (2012) as well as a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratories (1997). Since early 2000s, he has been actively engaged in research on the molecular epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases including malaria, neglected tropical diseases, NTDs (such as soil-transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis and dengue fever), and waterborne parasites. He joined the department of parasitology, University of Malaya (a regional leading dept. in parasitology research) for seven years (2009–2016) as a senior lecturer and promoted to associate professor. In 2016, he joined Jazan University, Saudi Arabia and promoted to full professor in 2022. He re-joined Universiti Malaya in 2023. He has taught several courses in parasitology, epidemiology, biostatistics, and research methodology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He has established passionate research teams that involved diligent postgraduate students, enthusiastic colleagues, and inspiring national and international collaborators. The research dedicated to helping vulnerable rural and aboriginal communities in Malaysia and other countries including Yemen, Nigeria and Libya against the NTDs, malaria and other infectious diseases. He has published more than 150 articles in high-impact ISI & Scopus indexed journals; with h-index of 41 (WoS). Hesham has been a member of several academic, scientific and administrative councils and committees. He also enjoys reviewing scientific manuscripts, research proposals, plans and strategies, theses and reports, etc. He is a member of the editorial boards of several renowned journals, and a regular reviewer for many peer-reviewed journals as well as a panel member of assessors for various national and international research grant schemes and postgraduate programs.

Prof Dr. Mohd Yamani Idna Idris, with an illustrious career spanning over two decades, has been a dedicated faculty member at Universiti Malaya since 2000. His unwavering commitment to education, research, and innovation has left an indelible mark on the academic landscape. Dr. Idris’s journey began at Universiti Malaya, where he has contributed significantly to the institution’s growth. His extensive experience in teaching, learning, and research has shaped the minds of countless students. Dr. Idris firmly believes that teaching, learning, and research are interconnected pillars that form the bedrock of academic excellence. By seamlessly integrating these elements, he ensures the delivery of high-quality education to both current and future generations. Dr. Idris’s research endeavors revolve around the dynamic field of Internet of Things (IoT). His work explores the seamless integration of devices, data, and networks, leading to innovative solutions that impact various domains. Other than IoT, with a keen eye for detail, Dr. Idris delves into image processing techniques. His contributions in this area have advanced fields such as computer vision and pattern recognition. Dr. Idris’s scholarly output extends to numerous reputed journals. His research findings have enriched the scientific community and influenced practical applications. Dr. Idris’s impact extends beyond research papers. As a mentor, he has successfully supervised 25 Ph.D. candidates to completion. His ability to provide effective emotional and motivational support has been instrumental in their success. His expertise is sought after by esteemed journals. He actively contributes as a reviewer, ensuring the rigor and quality of scholarly work. His insights serve on grant evaluation panels, shaping funding decisions for impactful research. Dr. Idris’s reputation transcends borders. He has served as an external examiner for Ph.D. candidatures and participated in international technical review panels for promotions. He also serves on the editorial boards and reviewer of several journals, including Malaysian Journal of Computer Science (MJCS), Pattern Recognition, IEEE Transaction on ITS, etc. Dr. Idris’s eloquence has graced international conferences. His inaugural addresses inspire audiences and set the tone for meaningful discussions. Beyond academia, Dr. Idris actively contributes to national progress. His role in the digitalization efforts of government bodies like KPDNHEP and MATRADE underscores his commitment to societal advancement. Dr. Idris’s commitment extends beyond the classroom. As the Industrial Training Coordinator, he bridges academia and industry, ensuring students gain practical insights and real-world experience. His expertise guides postgraduate students, shaping their academic paths and fostering a vibrant learning environment. He has also involved in Faculty Leadership Positions where Dr. Idris’s tenure as the Head of Department exemplifies his ability to steer academic units toward excellence. He has also been an Acting Deputy Dean (Undergraduate) where he championed student-centric initiatives, enhancing the undergraduate experience. In Deputy Dean (Research & Development) role, Dr. Idris’s strategic acumen shines as he oversees research endeavors, fostering innovation and collaboration. Dr. Idris has meticulously devised and executed the faculty’s strategic plans. His foresight ensures alignment with academic goals, emphasizing quality teaching, learning, and research. Recognizing that a cohesive team drives progress, Dr. Idris established a platform to guide and support faculty members. His emphasis on collaboration fosters an environment conducive to growth. Dr. Idris recognizes that complex challenges demand diverse perspectives. He has pioneered interdisciplinary research by bridging computer science experts with other fields. This synergy fuels innovative solutions. Dr. Idris’s unwavering commitment has earned him the prestigious Certificate of Excellent Service thrice, a testament to his dedication. His impact resonates further through the Excellence Service Award, bestowed upon him three times. These accolades celebrate his outstanding contributions to academia. Dr Idris has also been recognized among the Top 2% Scientists in Stanford’s Global 2024.  

Mohd Edil Abd Sukor is an Associate Professor in the Department of Finance at the Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, and currently serves as the Deputy Dean (Student Affairs) of the faculty. He holds a PhD in Finance from the University of Melbourne, Australia, an MBA from the International Islamic University Malaysia and a Bachelor’s Degree in Shariah from Universiti Malaya. He has been a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (2018-2019) and was awarded the 2003 Best Student Award from the Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya. He is also a member of the Shariah Committee for AmBank Islamic, Swiss Re Retakaful and Koop Sahabat, and a committee member of the Malaysian Finance Association. Previously, he was the Chairman of the Shariah Committee for Mizuho Bank Malaysia and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. (Labuan Branch). His research interests focus on Islamic Finance, Financial Management and Consumer Finance and has published extensively in reputable international and national journals. He has also secured several research grants, including one from the Johor Corporation Foundation Malaysia, aimed at developing a social and financial literacy manual for primary school students. Additionally, he serves as an Associate Editor of the Capital Market Review journal.