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.