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Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Shahir Liew
Vice Provost, Research & Knowledge Exchange, UNM
Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Shahir Liew is Vice Provost (Research & Knowledge Exchange) at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. A registered professional engineer in Malaysia and the USA, and a Chartered Engineer in the UK, he holds a PhD from Texas (1988) and has over 20 years’ experience delivering offshore, high-rise, and infrastructure projects exceeding USD 4.5 billion. Formerly Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at UTP, he is recognised as a National High Foreign Talent Expert by China. His research focuses on decarbonisation, ESG, and the energy transition, with over 350 publications. He is committed to developing future leaders in research and innovation.
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Ms. Nengaswary Maniam
Head, Research & Knowledge Exchange Hub, UNM
Ms. Nengaswary Maniam, fondly known as Ms. Eeish, is Head of the Research and Knowledge Exchange Department at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. With 17 years’ experience across local and international organisations, she has led entrepreneurship initiatives, nurtured startups, and managed regional projects in healthcare, education, and innovation. A 2021 AACSB Influential Leader Award recipient, Eeish is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Chief Innovation Officer, and HRDF Certified Trainer. She holds an MBA from the University of Malaya and is renowned for her expertise in project management, entrepreneurship, and stakeholder engagement, as well as her passion for talent development and capacity building.
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Prof. Mahendhiran Sanggaran Nair
Professor & Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Sustainability), Sunway University
Prof. Mahendhiran Sanggaran Nair is Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Sustainability) at Sunway University. Trained as an econometrician and data scientist, his research focuses on sustainable development, planetary health, and science & technology policy. He holds a PhD in Economics (Econometrics) and is a Fellow of CPA Australia and the Academy of Sciences Malaysia. Prof. Nair serves on the National Science Council, High-Tech Council, and co-chairs the National Planetary Health Action Plan. As architect of the 10-10 MySTIE framework, he champions the Return on Values (ROV) concept, advising government, industry, and academia on building values-driven, high-performing institutions.
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Prof. Christopher Gibbins
Professor, School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, UNM
Prof. Christopher Gibbins is a hydro-ecologist whose research focuses on river ecology, environmental flows, and sustainable catchment management. He has extensive international experience, including river restoration projects in the UK, and now leads impactful research in Malaysia on microplastic pollution, freshwater biodiversity, and highland ecosystem conservation. Collaborating with partners such as WWF and the Habitat Foundation, his work integrates science, policy, and community engagement to address urgent environmental challenges. Since joining UNM in 2017, Professor Gibbins has championed interdisciplinary research and capacity-building, training future environmental leaders and promoting sustainable management of Malaysia’s unique aquatic ecosystems.
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Prof. Asgar Ali
Director of Food Resilience (Signature Strength), UNM
Prof. Asgar Ali is a leading expert in postharvest biotechnology and sustainable food systems at the University of Nottingham Malaysia. His research focuses on edible coatings, bioactive compounds from fresh produce, and sustainable methods to extend the shelf life of perishable fruits. He also explores food safety, alternative disease management, and intelligent packaging to improve quality and reduce waste. As Associate Editor of the Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, he contributes to advancing global knowledge in horticultural science. In his role as Director of Food Resilience under Signature Strength, he drives innovative solutions to strengthen food security and sustainability.
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Prof. Ir. Denny Ng Kok Sum
Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University
Prof. Ir. Denny Ng Kok Sum is Dean, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University Malaysia. Prof Ng has published over 250 papers with an h-index of 44. He is active in various professional bodies, which include IChemE, Young Scientist Network - Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM), etc. He is a fellow of IChemE, UK and The Higher Education Academy, UK; Chartered Engineer, Engineering Council, UK; Professional Engineer, Board of Engineers Malaysia; ASEAN Professional Engineer; Vice Chair of YSN-ASM, Chair of Academic Research on Palm Oil Sustainability, etc. With his excellent contributions, he received various international and national recognitions.
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Ms. Poorani Krishnan
Science and Innovation Advisor, British High Commission
Ms. Poorani Krishnan is a cross-sectoral science engagement expert and a programme strategist, currently serving as Science, Technology and Innovation Advisor at the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur. She leads UK-Malaysia collaborations across climate, health and digital innovation spearheading initiatives like the UK-Malaysia AI Conference, UK-Malaysia Roundtable on AMR with Members of Parliament Malaysia and organised Climate Science forums with the UN IPCC. She brings a strong foundation in eco-toxicology, programme delivery and public engagement and founded MyDemokrasi, a civic tech platform to advance political literacy through data. Poorani also advises on UK funding models such as the International Science Partnership Fund, helping align Malaysian R&D priorities with global opportunities to foster impactful, connected research.
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Prof. TPr Dr. Goh Hong Ching
Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya
Prof. TPr Dr. Hong Ching Goh is an interdisciplinary social scientist at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Universiti Malaya. Her research focuses on human-environment interactions, with expertise in urban planning, nature-based tourism, and sustainability. She leads the Humanities and Social Sciences Group of the Malaysia National Antarctic Research Centre and is a registered planner with the Malaysian Institute of Planners and the Board of Town Planners Malaysia. A DAAD Research Ambassador and mentor under APRU’s Asia Pacific Women in Leadership Programme, she has secured RM6.9 million in research grants. Her ongoing projects include RECAP SEA, PANACEA, and MURNInets3.0.
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Mr. Jason Feehily
Head of Trusted Research, University of Nottingham UK
Mr. Jason Feehily serves as Head of Trusted Research within the Research & Innovation Directorate at the University of Nottingham. In this role, he leads efforts to align the university’s research with national security requirements, balancing academic collaboration with protections for sensitive intellectual property and modelling best practices for responsible research. Previously, he held leadership positions in Knowledge Exchange Asia and the Confucius Institute, fostering research, entrepreneurship, CPD, and philanthropic engagement across the UK and Asia. Mr. Jason holds a BA in Theology & Philosophy from Oxford University and dual master’s degrees in training and business administration from the University of Leicester.
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Dr. George Rice
Director of Knowledge Exchange and Business Engagement, UoN UK
Dr. George Rice is a Technology Transfer professional with a strong track record in commercialising engineering and physical sciences technologies. As Director of Knowledge Exchange and Business Engagement at the University of Nottingham, he leads strategic partnerships, drives innovation-led spinouts, and secures license deals and investment for commercial ventures. Dr. George applies design thinking to accelerate the commercialisation process and has a growing interest in China’s emerging role in technology transfer. His work has been showcased through successful collaborations such as Terra Motion, reflecting his commitment to translating research into real-world impact.
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Dr. Subarna Sivapalan
Associate Dean of Research & Knowledge Exchange, UNM
Dr. Subarna Sivapalan, FRSA, is Associate Professor and Head of the School of Education at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, and Research Lead of the Sustainability and Transformational Education Research Cluster (STERC). She also leads the University’s UNESCO Chair in International Education and Development Malaysia Office and has over 20 years’ experience in higher education. A national advocate for sustainability education, she is Co-Chair of the National Education for Sustainable Development Association of Selangor, and an Acumen and UNU Pro.SPER.Net Leadership Fellow. Recipient of WWF Malaysia’s National Eco-Lecturer Award, she holds a PhD in Education from the University of Nottingham.
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Prof. Dr. Rofina Yasmin Othman
Chairman, MRANTI Corporation Sdn. Bhd.
Prof. Dr. Rofina Yasmin Othman is Chairman of MRANTI Corporation Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia’s national accelerator for technology and innovation. She is a Fellow and Council Member of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia and also chairs the life sciences venture firm Xeraya Capital. Formerly an academic in agribiotechnology at Universiti Malaya, she is currently Honorary Professor at its Institute of Advanced Studies. With over 20 years of experience in innovation management, technology transfer, and startup support, Prof. Dr. Rofina has held key leadership roles in academia, industry, and government, including a secondment as Undersecretary at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
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Prof. Dr. Mohd Shahir Shamsir Omar
President, Innovation and Technology Managers Association Malaysia (ITMA)
Prof. Dr. Mohd Shahir Shamsir Omar is a leading expert in research management, innovation, and bioinformatics. He currently serves as President of the Innovation and Technology Managers Association Malaysia (ITMA). His past leadership roles include Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Director of the Innovation & Commercialisation Centre, and Deputy Director (Research University) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. With a PhD in Bioinformatics from the University of Exeter, his work spans biodiversity informatics, molecular dynamics simulations, and computational biology. Founder of UTM’s Bioinformatics Research Group, he has championed science commercialisation, intellectual property, and consultancy across academia and industry.
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Prof. Dr. Angelina Seow Voon Yee
Director of Research and Enterprise, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU)
Prof. Dr. Angelina Seow Voon Yee is Professor and Director (Research and Enterprise) at Asia Pacific University (APU). A Chartered Accountant with ASEAN CPA recognition, she began her career as an auditor and accountant in Australia, Singapore, the UK, and Malaysia. She has served as Council Member of CPA Australia Malaysia Division (2013–2015) and received the SME ICONS Award (2021) and Australia’s Endeavour Executive Fellowship (2015). Prof. Dr. Angelina has contributed to strategic planning and policy reviews for Malaysia’s higher education sector. Her research spans university–industry collaborations, innovation management, valuations, sustainability, and accounting, supported by grants from MAREF MOSTI, MoHE/MoE, CPA Australia, and the Australian High Commission.
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Datuk Ts. Dr. Mohd Nor Azman bin Hassan
Deputy Secretary General (Technology Development), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)
Datuk Ts. Dr. Mohd Nor Azman Hassan is the Deputy Secretary General (Technology Development) at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), where he oversees policies and initiatives to strengthen Malaysia’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystem as a driver of socio-economic growth. His career spans higher education, the power sector, and technology development in areas such as renewable energy, advanced materials, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. With extensive industry engagement, particularly with start-ups and SMEs, he champions the translation of government STI policies into impactful outcomes. He holds a PhD in renewable energy technology from Carnegie Mellon University and is a registered Professional Technologist.
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Dr. Shahrul Yazid Yahaya
Vice President of Market and Industry Development, Collaborative Research in Engineering Science & Technology (CREST)
Dr. Shahrul Yazid Yahaya has more than 30 years of professional experience in the electrical and electronics industry spanning various disciplines in product and process engineering, software and hardware design, manufacturing and research and development (R&D). He is currently the Vice President of Market and Industry Development at Collaborative Research in Engineering Science & Technology (CREST). Dr Shahrul holds BSc degree in Electrical Engineering, an MBA and a doctorate in Engineering Business Management.
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Ir. Dr. Lim Eu Shawn
Chief Business & Solutions Officer, Aerodyne Group
Ir. Dr. Lim Eu Shawn is the Chief Business & Solutions Officer at Aerodyne Group, where he oversees business development and technology rollout across 45 countries. He previously led the Consultancy and Project Delivery portfolio at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, growing it into one of Malaysia's largest university-based consulting entities in deep tech and specialist engineering. Dr. Shawn is also the technology co-founder of a deep tech engineering firm specialising in digital twins for critical infrastructure. He holds a Bachelors and Doctorate in Civil Engineering, specializing in structural health monitoring, and is a Professional Engineer in Malaysia.
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Dr. Kalai Anand Ratnam
Senior Technical Instructor & Training Leader, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Dr. Kalai Anand Ratnam is a Senior Technical Instructor and Training Leader at Amazon Web Services (AWS), with over 18 years of experience in workforce transformation across academic, public, and enterprise sectors. Holding all AWS certifications, he is a global expert in AI, Data, and Cloud skills development. He collaborates with universities, research institutions, and industry to build data-driven learning ecosystems that enhance research capacity and foster academia–industry collaboration. A thought leader in Generative AI and digital skilling, Dr. Kalai advocates for aligning talent development with institutional research goals to drive innovation, sustainability, and global research excellence.
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Dr. Hannah Noke
Head of Department of Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Innovation, University of Nottingham Business School
Dr. Hannah Noke is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and Innovation at the University of Nottingham Business School. She is the academic lead for the national Your Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES), fostering entrepreneurial thinking across disciplines. An interdisciplinary researcher, her expertise lies at the intersection of entrepreneurship, technology, and knowledge exchange, with a focus on academic, student, and technician entrepreneurship. Co-author of Building an Entrepreneurial Organisation, her work is widely published in leading journals. Passionate about practice-based learning, Dr. Noke is dedicated to equipping students of all disciplines with entrepreneurial skills to create real-world impact.
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Ts. Ir. Dr. Nordin bin Ramli, FASc
Head of Technology Diplomacy, MIMOS Berhad
Ts. Ir. Dr. Nordin bin Ramli is an accomplished researcher with over 20 years of experience in engineering, telecommunications, and digital technologies. He holds a B.Eng from Keio University, Japan, and M.Eng and PhD degrees from The University of Electro-Communications, Japan. He currently leads the Technology Management Department at MIMOS Berhad, managing R&D programmes and collaborations with universities and industry. His expertise includes cognitive radio, IoT, wireless networks, big data, and digital transformation, supported by numerous publications and patents. A Professional Engineer, HRDF-certified trainer, and active IEEE member, he also serves as Associate Editor of IEICE Communication Express.
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