Special Features

Prof. Dr. Atif Hassan is a distinguished academic leader in Hospitality Management, currently serving as the Founding Head of the Hospitality Management at Beaconhouse National University. He has earned accolades such as the Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Research Fellowship from George Mason University, USA. His academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Management from Ifugao State University and a Post-Doctorate from AIMST University in Malaysia. he pursued an Executive Masters in Hospitality & Tourism Management from the Metropolitan School of Business Management, UK. He also participated in a Hospitality faculty development program at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He is a Certified Hospitality Professional CHP® from the Institute of Tourism & Hospitality Professionals in the UK, highlighting his commitment to excellence in this field.

Dr. Atif has held significant roles, including Dean at the Hashoo School of Hospitality Management and Director of the School of Professional Advancement at the University of Management and Technology. His experience spans 23 years in teaching, research, and administration, including international exposure, such as teaching Strategic Management at Kanagawa University in Japan. His areas of expertise encompass Management, Hospitality, Strategy, Organizational Behavior, and Human Resource Management. Additionally, he has contributed to faculty development programs and is an HEC Approved Ph.D. Supervisor, reflecting his dedication to nurturing future leaders in hospitality & management sciences.

Professor Dr. Vikneswaran Nair was appointed President of DISTED College, Penang, in November 2021 and a Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Wawasan Open University. Before returning to Malaysia, he was based in The Bahamas for five years as a Professor and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of The Bahamas. He was also a consultant to the Tourism Development Corporation in The Bahamas. He was the former Director of Research and Development at Taylor’s University, Malaysia, for 19 years. A consultant with many national and international projects, his exceptional research achievements with extensive publications to his credit have earned him many international and national awards for his work in ecotourism and community-based tourism. He has facilitated many rural tourism research and consultancy projects in Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. He is also currently the Vice President of the Malaysian Ecotourism Association (MEA). His research specialisation is in Sustainable and Responsible Tourism, Rural Tourism, and Community-based tourism.

Zahdi is a distinguished leader in higher education, celebrated for advancing universities on the global stage. With a deep expertise in strategic planning for university rankings, he has worked with renowned organizations like QS and Times Higher Education (THE), utilizing data-driven approaches to elevate institutional standings. He has also led national rating initiatives and implemented ISO9001 quality management systems, ensuring operational excellence.
A passionate advocate for global engagement, Zahdi has forged impactful academic collaborations and facilitated student and staff exchanges, significantly enhancing institutional reputations. During his transformative tenure at a leading Kuala Lumpur institution, he spearheaded quality assurance across 13 faculties and international partnerships, driving the university to consistently rank among Malaysia’s top private institutions in QS World University Rankings and regional subject rankings. His leadership in internal audits and ISO9001 compliance established a culture of continuous improvement.
Academically, Zahdi holds a Master of Science in Business Decision Management, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business IT with International Business from Coventry University, UK, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Science Research Methods from Cardiff University, UK. He is a certified Professional Technologist (Ts.) by the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT) and an IRCA Lead Auditor of ISO9001.
In addition to his administrative roles, Zahdi is a dedicated lecturer and consultant, delivering impactful training in quality management, entrepreneurship, and rankings across Malaysia and Southeast Asia. His commitment to excellence continues to inspire institutions and individuals to achieve their fullest potential.