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. Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah is a distinguished Professor of Tourism Economics at the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia. He also serves as a Fellow at the Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (IBSD), UiTM. In addition to being a Certified Hotel Industry Analyst (CHIA), Professor Hafiz was recently recognized among the Top 2% of Scientists Worldwide in 2023 by Stanford University.

Professor Hafiz earned his PhD in Hotel and Tourism Management from UiTM in 2016, which is ranked as the top public university in Malaysia for hospitality and leisure subjects (QS Subject Rankings, 2019-2024). He was honored with the Graduate on Time (GoT) and Research Excellence awards, marking a historic achievement as the first faculty member to receive both accolades.

From 2018 to 2020, he led the Tourism Educators Association of Malaysia (TEAM) as President. He also served on the Board of Trustees for the Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) of Malaysia from 2019 to 2023, playing a key role in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture’s working group. As Deputy Dean (Research & Industry Linkages) at the Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, UiTM, he held a leadership position from 2019 to 2023.

Professor Hafiz’s research centers on tourism demand, behavioral economics, and tourism competitiveness, particularly focusing on contemporary tourist behavior. His work has earned him significant research funding and recognition as a leading scholar in the field. In 2020, UiTM awarded him the Promising Researcher Award in acknowledgment of his remarkable contributions.

He is actively involved in academic publishing, serving as Executive Editor of the Journal of Tourism, Hospitality, and Culinary Arts, Associate Editor for Heliyon (Tourism and Hospitality), and on the editorial boards of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Journal and Asia-Pacific Journal of Innovation in Hospitality and Tourism (APJIHT), both indexed in Scopus.

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.

Dr. Jugindar Singh is an Associate Professor at Asia Pacific University (APU) with over seven years of teaching and training experience. Dr. Singh has held key leadership roles in major Malaysian banks, including Chief Information Officer. He is actively involved in the academic community, serving on the Editorial Board of several indexed journals. He holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration and has authored over 50 articles in Scopus and other highindexed journals, earning an H-Index of 15 on Google Scholar with more than 860 citations. Dr. Singh frequently presents at international and national conferences, where he has received the Best Presenter award three times and numerous other accolades. His expertise extends beyond his institution, as he serves as an external examiner and article reviewer for other universities and indexed journals. He is a Certified Professional Trainer and Facilitator and a Certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. Dr. Singh has successfully supervised or cosupervised ten PhD students and over 30 master’s students, with ten PhD students currently under his supervision. His extensive experience and contributions make him a distinguished figure in both the academic and professional realms.