Dr. Abubakar Abubakar Usman is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of International and Strategic Studies at Universiti Malaya (UM), Malaysia, where he specializes in globalization, development, and the politics of Africa and the Middle East. With a multidisciplinary academic background spanning International Relations, Diplomacy, and Islamic Finance, Dr. Usman is a prolific scholar whose work bridges theory and policy. Academic LeadershipDr. Usman currently serves as a Guest Lecturer at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, teaching Politics and International Relations of the Middle East. He has also been invited as a Guest Speaker at institutions such as Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Nile University Nigeria, where he shared expertise on diplomacy, conflict resolution, and strategic studies. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking and real-world applicability, honed through roles as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and as an English instructor for Saudi Schools Kuala Lumpur. Research ContributionsA dedicated researcher, Dr. Usman has held prestigious fellowships, including as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at IIUM’s Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF), where he explored the intersection of Islamic finance and global development. As a Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Africa Studies Circle at the Asia Middle East Centre for Research and Dialogue (AMEC), he fosters cross-civilizational dialogue and evidence-based policy recommendations. His research has been published in high-impact journals such as South African Journal of International Affairs, Global Society, and Contemporary Islam, and he has contributed chapters to Routledge and Palgrave Macmillan volumes on Islamic finance, African diplomacy, and human rights. Dr. Usman actively engages in peer review for Web of Science-indexed journals, including Security Journal and SN Social Sciences, and is currently developing two book projects: The Political Economy of Africa-Asia Relations (Routledge) and Coups in 21st Century Africa (Palgrave Macmillan). His doctoral thesis on Boko Haram’s media strategies and master’s research on Islamic finance as a development tool reflect his commitment to addressing pressing global challenges. Policy and Public EngagementBeyond academia, Dr. Usman is a sought-after commentator on African geopolitics, contributing to platforms like Africa@LSE, Daily Trust, and The Conversation. His analyses on ECOWAS, military coups, and Nigeria’s foreign policy have shaped public discourse. He has also served as an interpreter and translator for Malaysian government agencies, leveraging fluency in English, Arabic, and Hausa. Education and Honors PhD in International Relations (Globalization & Development), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Master of Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (CGPA: 4.00), UKM Master of Political Science (CGPA: 3.83), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) BA in Arabic/Mass Communication, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria Professional Affiliations Member, International Studies Association (ISA) Associate Member, International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS) For a full list of publications and research projects, visit his Google Scholar or ORCID profiles. Contact:Email: abubakar.usman@um.edu.my | Phone: +60 162417993Address: Department of International and Strategic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya

Dr. Seuk Wai PHOONG is an Associate Professor in the Department of Decision Science, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. She is a member of the Malaysian Mathematical Science Society (PERSAMA). Her research interests include applied statistics, econometrics, time series analysis, bibliometric analysis, and education. She has led 8 research projects out of 24 research grants. She has published papers in various WoS and Scopus journals, such as Sage Open, Artificial Intelligence Review, Humanities and Social Science, Mathematics, International Journal of Mobile Communications, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Energies, Symmetry, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, etc. She is also an academic editor for several journals, including PLOS One, Asian Journal of Business and Accounting, and SAGE Open. She teaches Business Statistics and Quantitative Analysis for Business at the undergraduate level; Research Methodology, Statistical Analysis, and Operational Research at the postgraduate level.

Dr. Wong Chee Kuan is a distinguished medical lecturer and consultant pulmonologist at the Universiti Malaya, specializing in respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis, COVID-19 pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. He currently serves as the Head of the Division of Respiratory Medicine and the Chairman of the UMMC Tuberculosis (TB) Committee, where he has played a pivotal role in advancing the understanding and management of respiratory diseases. Dr. Wong earned his medical degree from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and obtained Membership of the Royal College of Physician (MRCP) in the United Kingdom. He further completed his fellowship in Respiratory Medicine at Universiti Malaya, cementing his expertise in the field. With a career spanning over a decade, Dr. Wong has made significant contributions to clinical research, medical education, and patient care. He is an active researcher and has published extensively in high-impact journals, addressing critical issues such as severe asthma, COPD, and long-term effects of COVID-19. His research efforts are supported by national and international funding bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Dr. Wong has led multiple clinical trials, contributing to advancement in respiratory medicine. In addition to his research, Dr. Wong is a passionate educator, supervising postgraduate students and mentoring future healthcare professionals. He has also contributed to the development of national TB clinical practice guidelines and serves on various professional committees, including the Malaysian Thoracic Society. A sought-after speaker and panelist, he frequently shares his expertise at conferences and workshop, both locally and internationally. Dr. Wong is committed to improving the quality of life for patients with respiratory diseases and aims to contribute toward eradicating tuberculosis by 2035 through his leadership, research, and advocacy.