Dr. Sonia Kumari is Senior Lecturer at Department of Development Studies, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Malaya. She holds PhD (Financial Development and Economic Growth, UNIMAS, Malaysia), MEcon (Public Policy, UKM, Malaysia) and BEc (Management Economics, UKM, Malaysia).  Her research expertise includes, Financial Development ; Financial Integration; Financial Inclusion; Sustainable Finance; Climate Finance; and Financial management of small businesses, with main focus on multidisciplinary themes related to emerging and developing economies. Her previous work experience includes: Associate Economist at the Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM) ; Visiting Research Fellow at Bocconi University, Milan, Italy; Visiting Research Fellow at Instituto Complutense de Estudios Internacionales (ICEI), Complutense University of Madrid, Spain; Lecturer at Help University, Malaysia.  She has taught several courses at Undergraduate level including:  Microfinance and Social Enterprise, Analysis of Development Projects, SME Development, Agriculture Business Management, Agriculture Development, Development Economics and Research Methodology (at University of Malaya); Principles of Business Management, Principles of Macroeconomics and Principles of Microeconomics (at Help University). Postgraduate courses: Sustainable Finance (Universiti Malaya).  She supervised over 50 UG projects including industrial placement projects (at University of Malaya); over 15 Masters Research Projects (at University of Malaya); and 1 Doctoral completion (current PhD supervision = 8).   Produced over 30 publications, including book chapters, articles in internationally refereed journals, policy briefs and reports. She has also reviewed several papers for journals and conferences.  She has led research projects on: "Financial Inclusion and Inclusive Growth" and "Government Supports And Food Operator's Performance In Klang Valley" (University Grant). She is also a co-researcher for projects such as "Role of Social Enterprise in Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development in Malaysia" (University Grants); Developing Environmental Reporting Framework for the Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia: Using Q-Methodological Approach" (FRGS, Government of Malaysia) and "Catching-up along the Global Value Chain: models, determinants and policy implications in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution" (European Commission Grant). She has research collaborative links in several countries including South Africa, China and Bangladesh.  She is an Associate Editor for Journal of Institutions and Economies.  

NORAINI AHMAD obtained her BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry from the Universiti Malaya in 2003. In 2008, she received her MSc in Colloid and Surface Chemistry, while in 2012 she obtained her PhD in Physical Chemistry, both from the Universiti Malaya. During her PhD studies, she went for a research attachment at the Instituto de Química Avanzada de Cataluña - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain in 2010-2012 funded by the InForm Project, EU-FP7 and the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) Malaysia. Her journey and experience led her to be selected as a Nanobiotechnology Scientist/Expert representing Malaysia at the Workshop of Scientists from Russia and the ASEAN Countries - Nanobiotechnology: Achievement and Scope held in Vladivostok, Russia in 2015. Formerly, she was a lecturer at the Centre for Foundation Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia (CFS IIUM) for more than 3 years before joining Universiti Malaya in 2008. After obtaining her PhD, she was appointed as a Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya in 2012 and was later promoted to a Senior Lecturer in 2013. Currently, she is an Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya. She is currently holding a number of major administrative duties, namely:1. Director, Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Centre (UMCares)2. Coordinator, Formulation and Product Development Unit, Centre for Natural Products Research and Drug Discovery (CENAR), Universiti Malaya3. STEM Representative of the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya STEM Centre Additionally, she has broad experience as a Deputy Director of the Universiti Malaya Community Engagement Center (UMCares)(2022-2024), in which previously as a Fellow of UMCares (2019-2021). In addition, she has been honored and invited as a Visiting Professor at several universities internationally. She has also been invited as a keynote speaker and invited speaker at several international conferences. Her areas of expertise are in Physical Chemistry (colloid chemistry, liquid crystal, surfactant, self-assembly structure, green chemistry, chemical kinetics), Nanomaterials Formulation and Drug Delivery Systems. Her research interests are focused on the formulation of nanocarrier systems based on lipids and other surfactants for pharmaceutical, medical, cosmeceutical, nutraceutical and agrochemical applications. Moreover, she has been awarded several internal and external research grants as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator (>MYR12,000,000). Besides, she has won numerous awards nationally and internationally. Apart from teaching and research, Noraini is also an active member in her university, holding a number of administrative posts, technical committee member and research grants evaluator. She is also actively involved in various social activities / programmes at the national and international level.

Associate Profssor Ir. Dr. Mohd Sayuti Ab Karim is a distinguished Associate Professor at Universiti Malaya. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Computer Aided Design (CAD/CAM) Engineering from Universiti Malaya in 2006. Driven by a passion for advanced manufacturing, he pursued postgraduate studies in Engineering Science, focusing on Advanced Manufacturing Processes, and completed his PhD in 2013. Dr. Sayuti's research journey began in 2006 as a Research Assistant at the Advanced Manufacturing and Material Processing (AMMP) Centre. Over the years, he has led numerous projects related to design and manufacturing, significantly contributing to the field. His research has been widely recognized, with over 40 ISI-indexed papers and more than 10 patents showcasing his innovative work. In addition to his academic and research achievements, Dr. Sayuti excels in product design and development, employing a systematic approach to create innovative solutions. Among the products he has developed are the Automatic Thermocyclic Dipping Machine, CNC Lathe Machine, Automated Methadone Dispensing Machine, and an Alcohol Detection Device. He has also developed expertise in machine learning, having completed a specialized course in Python programming. Dr. Sayuti is proficient in various simulation activities, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using ANSYS software. His technical expertise is highly valued, and he serves as a technical advisor for the Institute Latihan Perindustrian Ipoh and Vocational School Sungai Buloh. Furthermore, he has extensive experience in developing Occupational Frameworks for the Department of Skills and Development under the Ministry of Human Resources, particularly in the wood manufacturing industry. Beyond his academic and advisory roles, Dr. Sayuti is the General Manager at Zecttron Sdn Bhd, a spin-off company from Universiti Malaya. In this capacity, he oversees the company's strategic direction and operations, leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience to drive innovation and growth. Dr. Sayuti is a Chartered Engineer (UK) with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and has been a professional engineer registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) since 2022. His professional affiliations and certifications underscore his commitment to maintaining high standards in engineering practice. Throughout his career, Dr. Sayuti has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing the field of engineering through research, innovation, and education. His contributions have not only enhanced the academic community but also had a tangible impact on industry practices and standards.