Dr. Zafir Khan Bin Mohamed Makhbul is a professor in the field of human resource management and organisational management at UKM-Graduate School of Business (UKM-GSB). Professor Zafir has been appointed as Dean of UKM-GSB starting on March 2021. He has more than 23 years of experience in teaching and researching with UKM, and industrial experience in Motorola, Hong Leong Finance and Agrobank. Throughout his career as an academician, he used to be seconded as Deputy Director at the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia. As an academician, he is directly involved in teaching, research, publication and community service activities in the field of human resource management and organisational management other than being responsible as the main supervisor and external examiner for PhD and Master Degree students.

Yusfarisyam bin Fauzi is an accomplished professional with over 14 years of experience in the energy industry, encompassing project and engineering management, business strategy, organizational development, and performance management. He is currently serving as the Manager of Business Planning & Strategy at Vantris Energy Berhad, where he plays a key role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and driving sustainable business growth within the energy sector.

Throughout his career, Yusfarisyam has held pivotal roles in leading organizations such as Sapura Energy, SAIPEM, and MMHE, contributing to major projects in digitalization delivery, strategic planning, and offshore construction. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, he is also a registered member of the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM). With a strong blend of technical expertise and strategic insight, Yusfarisyam continues to champion innovation, performance excellence, and business transformation within Malaysia’s dynamic energy landscape.

Dr. Sharmila Mohamed Salleh is the CEO of the Malaysia Foundation for Innovation (YIM), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) established in 2008 to champion innovation and creativity among Malaysians. Under her visionary leadership, YIM has become a platform that connects communities, industries, and policymakers to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem—empowering grassroots innovators and nurturing an innovative mindset across all levels of society.

Driven by her passion for grassroots and social innovation, Dr. Sharmila has led impactful national initiatives such as Malaysia’s Innovation Discovery (MID), the InnoMap Depository System of Innovations, High Impact Program 6, and the Social Innovations Program. Internationally, she has represented Malaysia as a speaker and panelist at prestigious United Nations ESCAP, UNDP, and UNDESA forums across Asia. Her contributions have earned her several honours, including the Most Esteemed Order of the Defender of the Realm (A.M.N.) and Setia Mahkota Pahang (S.M.P). A Certified Chief Innovation Officer and one of only two Malaysians to achieve Global Innovation Management Institute (Level 4) certification, Dr. Sharmila continues to inspire innovation leadership. Her academic achievements include a PhD in Business and Management from UiTM Shah Alam, where her research focused on the influence of IoT on grassroots innovators’ sustainability—solidifying her position as one of Malaysia’s foremost advocates for inclusive and technology-driven innovation.

Mohd Fariz Helmi bin Husain is a seasoned investment professional with extensive expertise in real estate investment, strategic ventures, and portfolio management. Currently serving as the Head of New Venture, Strategic Investment and Project at Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB), he has successfully led and closed 89 property transactions across Malaysia, London, Australia, and Europe, with a combined value of RM11.9 billion for major institutional clients such as EPF, KWAP, and FELDA. Among his notable achievements are the acquisition of Integra Tower at The Intermark (2015) and Menara AIA at Capital Square (2017) during his tenure with KWAP. His strategic foresight and in-depth market knowledge have enabled institutions to expand their global investment portfolios, backed by data-driven analysis and innovative asset allocation strategies.

An accomplished scholar and lifelong learner, Fariz holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master of Real Estate (UM), Master of Science in Finance (UUM), and a Bachelor’s Degree in Property Management (First Class Honours, UTM). He is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Real Estate at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), specializing in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in Real Estate, as well as a Degree in Accounting (CPA Australia) at UNIRAZAK. With strong ties to leading global firms such as CBRE Global Investment, Savills, and Knight Frank, Fariz continues to play a key role in advancing sustainable and high-impact real estate investments, both locally and internationally.