Conference Committee

Professor Dr. Kashif Hussain is a renowned senior academic figure in Malaysia known for his expertise in research excellence and educational leadership. He has made significant contributions to research and education, shaping the academic landscape in Malaysia and beyond.

His research interests involve business and marketing with a focus on hospitality and tourism studies. He has published more than 125 papers in reputable journals and presented at international conferences, showcasing his depth of knowledge and expertise in the field (h-index: 30, Citations: 5,722). In addition, he is the board member, referee, and guest editor for several international journals. He is the founding editor of Asia-Pacific Journal of Innovation in Hospitality and Tourism (APJIHT-Scopus Indexed) and Asia-Pacific Journal of Futures in Education and Society (APJFES-New Journal).

He has been involved in many collaborative research projects with other institutions and industry partners, further solidifying his reputation as a leading expert in his field. He has provided consulting and research services to a number of companies in Malaysia and North Cyprus, including Convex Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre), Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau; Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Sarawak Convention Bureau, Gaining Edge, Memduh Erdal BP&LO Ltd, Ideal Tourism Co., and Vole (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Worth: US$ 250,000). His research contributions have also advanced the understanding of key issues in the field, leading to practical applications and innovations.

He has held various senior academic and leadership positions throughout his career, including roles as a professor, researcher, and mentor to students. He is currently the Dean [Senior Head] for the School and Business and Founding Dean [Head] for the School of Global Hospitality and Tourism at the Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation in Malaysia. He does also hold an Affiliate Professorship position at the Superior University in Pakistan. He has served as Visiting Professor at the British University Vietnam in Vietnam and Senior Research Fellow at the University of South Florida in USA. He is the former Dean for the College of Business Management at the University of Doha for Science and Technology in Qatar. He was also the former Chair of the School of Media and Communication and have served as the Director of Research for the Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management and contributed in the foundations to establish Centre for Research and Innovation in Tourism at Taylor’s University in Malaysia. He was the former Dean for the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the UCSI University and the former President for Malaysia Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Education (MyCenTHE – a nations building initiative under Prime Minister office) at the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia.

He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Supervision from Near East University, M.Sc. in Tourism Management and B.Sc. in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus. He has taught a various subject from diploma to doctoral level, including research methods and advanced research methods, which have helped a number of postgraduate students complete their research studies. He has supervised 37 postgraduate students, imparting his knowledge and skills to the next generation of scholars.

As a professor, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the education and research landscape in Malaysia. His work has been recognized through various awards and accolades, highlighting his significant impact on the academic community. He has been recognized as an event management specialist for university festivals and international conferences, and as well as for socio-cultural activities (received over 100 certificates). His dedication to excellence in teaching and research has earned him great respect among peers and students alike.

He is a prominent academic figure in Malaysia known for his expertise, research contributions, and dedication to education. His work continues to inspire and influence scholars in his field, making him a respected authority in academia.

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2923-3575
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5lNWrJwAAAAJ&hl=en
Research Gate: http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kashif_Hussain7

Professor Dr. Murali Raman: Obtained his Doctorate in Management Information Systems from Claremont Graduate University, California in 2005. He is currently a Professor at the Management Faculty at Multimedia University, Cyberjaya. Prof. Murali Raman also holds an MSC in Human Resource Management (London School of Economics, UK) and an MBA (Imperial College, London, UK). He is a first class honours degree holders in Bachelor of Business Administration, University Malaya. He has worked in the corporate sector with Maybank Bhd (1994-1996) and Accenture Consulting (1997-2001), before joining MMU. With Accenture, he managed and led more than 9 different IT projects in Malaysia and Singapore, mainly in IT and Systems integration.  He is both a Rhodes Scholar and Fulbright Fellow.

Professor Murali Raman’s work in Design Thinking led him to winning several Internal and local awards as an outstanding educationist in the field of IT Management in general. Examples of these awards are:

• National Outstanding Education Award for Youth Empowerment – Private Higher Education 2025,
• Gold Medallist—Sri Lanka Investors Commission, Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, Sri Lanka—for his project called Design Thinking Process for 21^st Century Teaching and Learning.
• Gold Medallist for TELS—Sri Lanka Investors Commission, Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, Sri Lanka—for another project The Elitez Learning System.
• Winner of the European Knowledge Management and Intellectual Capital Excellence Award, by ACPI, in Lisbon, Portugal—for his teaching and research in the field of IT Management – focussing on use of Knowledge Management Systems in Support of Disaster Management
• Gold Medallist at the International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada, iCAN 2019—for a project called Gamified Teaching Strategies for the 21^st Century
• Special Mention in both the Star and News Straits Times, for an education project called Suara Pendidik2—where he trained teachers under the National Union of Teaching Profession (NUTP), using Design Thinking for 21^st Century Learning.
• The above project was also a nominee for the Anugerah AKRI, 2019.
• Two of his papers were published by Leadernomics, for his taught leadership on Design Thinking and its impact in cultivating learning and a growth mind-set.
• As the Director of MMU Business School, over the last 3 years he has been playing a vital role as an educator in the field of Design Thinking—serving corporate, public and in his capacity as a social worker. Examples of these contributions are:
  • Receiving an award of mention by Malaysia Airlines Berhad for program planning and delivery of a Professional Certificate in Leadership & Management (training for 700 staff).
  • Use of Design Thinking for a Social Innovation Project—Gerak Gempur UPSR for SJK(T) Batu Arang, Selangor.
  • Appointed as a member for the Technical Working Group (TWG) in preparing for the Ministry’s 12^th Malaysian Plan document preparation.
  • In 2019 alone, trained more than 500 people in Corporate Malaysian in 4^th IR and Design Thinking—examples which are for the likes of the TM Group, UOB Bank Malaysia, MaGIC Malaysia, Government of Brunei and Government of Malaysia

Prof. Murali has published more than 100 papers in International Journals, Conferences, and book Chapters and has written/edited several books in the area of Information Management in general. He currently trains and consults with several leading companies in Malaysia.
Dr. Raman is (probably) the only Malaysian who is both a Rhodes Scholar and Fulbright fellow.
He has conducted training and consulting (on various topics pertaining to management, Innovation at the workplace, design thinking and ICT) in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, and in the US for the following corporations, among others: TM – Innovative Leadership and Workplace Innovation, RHB Bank, Keppel Bank Singapore, TelBru Brunei, Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB), Brunei e-Government Center, OUM International Malaysia- Program for Senior Government Officials, Government of India, Maybank – IBBM Program, Australian Logistics Center for Supply Chain Systems, Australia, MAKPEM – Ministry of Welfare, IPA Brunei, MILE Madinah, etc.

Dr. Murali’s research has led him to obtaining numerous national grants and awards. Some of these include the Gold Medal at PECITPA 2013, Silver Medal in ITEXT 2014, and a top-ten finalist of the National Innovation Award 2013. Dr. Murali serves as an editorial member for several leading journals in the area of KM and IT Management – among others Journal of Cases & Research in IT, International Journal of Knowledge Management, Knowledge Management and E-Learning, Industrial Management and Data Systems etc.

With his research team, Dr. Murali and his team has secured close to RM1.5Million in grant funding over the last five years. He is currently affiliated to Stanford’s Technology Venture Program as a Faculty Fellow- where he has had and continue to discuss issues surrounding creating a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem and application of innovative thinking via D-Principles in Malaysia.  He is a Stanford certified Design Thinker.

Prof Murali Raman is also certified in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) – 2016 as a NLP Certified Practitioner. He is also a Certified Trainer in Colored Brain Communication and Emotional Drivers based on Directive Communication Psychology.  He is also a Fellow with the Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM).

His other certifications are:

• Certified Communication Specialist (DCI)
• PSBM Certified Trainer
• Design Thinking – Stanford dSchool certified

He is currently the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Postgraduate and Continuous Education Director at Asia Pacific University (APU)– focusing on Executive Training and Consultancy. His niche training areas include among others:

• Design Thinking
• Colored Brain Communication and Emotional Drivers
• Digital Economy
• Crafting Digital Strategies
• Mindset change

Throughout his career in the corporate and academic sector, Prof. Murali has managed, led and director numerous programmes. With Accenture Consulting he managed a total of nine [9] projects of which three were in Singapore with Tier 1 clients. As the Dean of the Faculty of Management (MMU)—with staff strength of 135 people, he has led and directed numerous academic and executive development programme. These include among others, MMU’s MBA, DBA, EMBA, Distance Learning, MBA Offshore, and Prestige Leadership Programe (TM).

In addition, he also has a vast project management experience working with international and local researchers for grant projects funded valued more than RM1.5 million.  In recognition of his leadership Prof Murali has received several accolades at the international level. Examples are:

• World Innovation Award ICAN Canada, 2024
  • Outstanding Academic Leadership Award in Malaysia – 2016 EDUCOOP
  • World Innovation Award – Seoul, Korea – 2015
  • Augerah Pecipta Negara – Gold Medal
  • Golden Globe Tiger Awards – For Outstanding Academic Leadership

Professor Murali Raman can be contacted at murali@apu.edu.my

Dr. D. A. C. Suranga Silva is Professor in Tourism Economics at the University of Colombo, claiming an impressive academic and professional background. He holds a Ph.D. in Tourism Economics from Virije University Amsterdam, an M. Phil in Environmental Economics from Maastricht School of Management, and an MA in Economics and BA Econ. Special from the University of Colombo, Advanced Certificate in Economics of Resource and Environmental Management, University of New England, Australia, Certificate Programme in Tourism Development and Management, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore and Certificate Programme in Ecotourism Development, Asia Japan International Cooperation Agency, Kyushu International Centre, Japan.
With 35 years of teaching experience, Dr. DAC Suranga Silva has received numerous honours and awards, including recognition for promoting research and academic studies on tourism relations between Sri Lanka and China. He has also been commended for his dedication to strengthening Indo-Sri Lankan relations.
He is currently the Founding Coordinator/Head of Sustainable Tourism Unit (STU), University of Colombo (https://arts.cmb.ac.lk/stu/) and the Chief Editor of the Journal of Tourism Economics and Applied Research (JTEAR) and also the Chief Editor of International Journal of Sustainable Tourism (https://jtear.uoctourism.com/). Beyond teaching, he has held various leadership roles, such as Director General of Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM), Ministry of Tourism, Director of the Staff Development Center at the University of Colombo, Consultant/Chairman for study programmes and curriculum development at several higher education institutes, and Chief Consultant for Sri Lanka Aviation College and Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.
Dr. DAC Suranga Silva has made substantial contributions to academia internationally. According to the google scholar information, he has made a significant contribution for research and learning nationally and internationally. He has served as an External Examiner, Visiting Professor, Academic Advisor, and Academic Board Member at numerous international universities, including those in India, China, Malaysia, Italy, and Thailand.
His involvement in professional bodies includes being a Lead-Trainer at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), a Council Member of the Sri Lanka Economics Association, and the Executive Chairman of the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management at the University of Colombo. Dr. DAC Suranga Silva’s presidency in various tourism-related organizations and his dedication to research and education make him a distinguished figure in the field of tourism economics.

Bongkosh Rittichainuwat, Ph.D., MHM, BA, CIS, CEM, EMD, is the director of Hotel & Tourism Management at Siam University where she was the past-dean of the International College.  Dr. Rittichainuwat is the Secretary of the Asia-Pacific Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (APac-CHRIE) where she served as the Director of Research (two terms) and Director of Marketing. She is the Regional Editor of Southeast Asia of the International Journal of Tourism Research, (SSCI, Q1) and also an editor of the Elephant Welfare Book published by CABI (the UK).  Bongkosh is also on the editorial board of top 1-15^th Quartile 1-Scopus journals in hospitality and tourism: Asia Pacific Journal of Travel Research, Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, and Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research. She also published a book titled “Special Interest Tourism” with Cambridge Scholar Publishing, UK. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Chulalongkorn University, her Master of Hospitality Management from Conrad N. Hilton College, University of Houston, and her Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration from Oklahoma State University. Her industry designations include an Exhibition Management Degree from the UFI University of Cooperative Education in Ravensburg, Germany, the Certified Incentive Specialist designation by the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, and the Certified in Exhibition Management designation by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.

References
https://www.apacchrie.org/about-us/board-members/
https://www.cambridgescholars.com/resources/pdfs/978-1-5275-1352-5-sample.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10548408.2022.2061674

Associate Professor Ann Suwaree Ashton holds both a PhD and a master’s degree from the
University of Queensland, Australia. She is currently a faculty member at the Graduate School
of Tourism Management (GSTM) at the National Institute of Development Administration
(NIDA) in Bangkok, Thailand. Her research areas include wellness tourism destination
development, spiritual retreat tourism, and yoga tourism. Driven by her passion for health and
well-being, she has also pursued extensive training, becoming a certified yoga master instructor,
sound healing therapist, Reiki healer, and forest bathing researcher and practitioner. Her
dedication highlights her commitment to promoting wellness tourism activities, particularly in
the Southeast Asia region.

Dr. Ahmad Rasmi Albattat is an Associate Professor and Program Leader in the School of Global Hospitality and Tourism, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He is a Visiting Professor and External Examiner in Medan Tourism Polytechnic (Poltekpar Medan).

He is a Doctoral Supervisor in European Global Institute of Innovation & Technology, Malta, and Rushford Business School, Switzerland. He received PhD in Hospitality Management “Disaster and Emergency Planning and Preparedness” from University Sains Malaysia (USM), Malaysia. He worked as an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Management, Post Graduate Centre, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Assistant Professor, Ammon Applied University College, Amman, Jordan.

Senior Lecturer and Research Coordinator in School of Hospitality & Creative Arts, Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, and Researcher at Sustainable Tourism Research Cluster (STRC), Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. He was working for the Jordanian hospitality industry for 17 years. His teaching and consultancy fields include hospitality management, events management, research methodology, strategic management and final research projects.

His research areas include hospitality management, hotel, tourism, events, emergency planning, disaster management, sustainable development goals and human resource. He is an active member of several Scientific and Editorial Board of International journals, reviewer, author and editor for book projects with Emeralds Publishing, Routledge Publishing, Good Fellow Publishing and IGI Global Publishing. His latest works have been published in refereed international journals, conference proceedings, books and book chapters.