Organizing Committee
Prof. Dinko Herman Boikanyo
University of Johannesburg
South Africa
Prof. Dinko Herman Boikanyo
University of JohannesburgSouth Africa
Biography
Professor Dinko Herman Boikanyo is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Business Management at the University of Johannesburg. He also serves as a Director and Board Member in the energy sector, reflecting his strong engagement with both academia and industry. He holds a PhD in Business Administration and has accumulated more than two decades of combined corporate and academic experience. Professor Boikanyo’s research expertise encompasses strategic management, leadership, digital technologies, innovation, strategic intelligence, and entrepreneurship. He has published extensively in IBSS, DOAJ, and Scopus-indexed journals, as well as in international conference proceedings and book chapters. In addition, he contributes opinion pieces to newspapers, where he translates academic insights into accessible reflections on societal and business issues. As a dedicated postgraduate supervisor, he has successfully mentored numerous Master’s and PhD students to completion, underscoring his commitment to producing high-quality scholarship and nurturing future leaders.
Research Interest
encompasses strategic management, leadership, digital technologies, innovation, strategic intelligence, and entrepreneurship
Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob
Universiti Sains (USM)
Malaysia
Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob
Universiti Sains (USM)Malaysia
Biography
Associate Professor Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob is an accomplished academic and higher education leader at Universiti Sains
Malaysia (USM), where he has served since 2008. He holds a PhD in Management Accounting from Universiti Utara
Malaysia, an AACSB-accredited institution. Over the years, he has held several key administrative and academic
roles, including Chairperson of the Academic Program for Management, Deputy Dean, Director of the
Entrepreneurship Center, and currently, Dean of the School of Distance Education. These appointments have provided
him with substantial experience in academic leadership, curriculum design, institutional governance, and quality
assurance.
Dr. Zulnaidi is recognized for his dedication to teaching and learning. He has received several awards at USM,
including the Best Teacher Award, the Most Active and Innovative E-Learning Portal Award, and the Best Mentor in
Entrepreneurship Award. His teaching practices, which emphasize innovation and student engagement, have been
documented in a Scopus-indexed journal. He has also taught internationally as a visiting lecturer in Australia,
Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Thailand, China, and India, delivering courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels
in institutions such as Newcastle University, Universitas Terbuka, Prince of Songkla University, Hebei University,
Universitas Airlangga, and Rajagiri Business School. His teaching approach integrates technology to foster interactive
and collaborative learning environments. He teaches courses in accounting, financial statement analysis, innovation,
and entrepreneurship. With extensive involvement in curriculum development and academic advisory roles, Dr.
Zulnaidi has contributed to various institutions in Malaysia and abroad as a program reviewer, curriculum advisor,
and academic auditor. His expertise is frequently sought by vocational colleges, polytechnics, and universities
Research Interest
entrepreneurship, accounting, innovation, and management education.
Dr. Abdul Hadi Zulkafli
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Malaysia
Dr. Abdul Hadi Zulkafli
Universiti Sains MalaysiaMalaysia
Biography
Abdul Hadi Zulkafli is an Associate Professor in the Finance and Islamic Finance Section at the School of Management, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). He obtained his Ph.D. in Corporate Finance from Universiti Malaya, MBA from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, and Bachelor of Finance from Universiti Teknologi MARA. Over the years, he has held several leadership roles, including Chairperson of Finance and Islamic Finance and Deputy Dean (Academic, Career, and International). His teaching expertise spans corporate finance, personal finance, entrepreneurial finance, and enterprise risk management.
His research interests lie in corporate governance, corporate finance, and sustainability, where he has published more than 60 papers in international refereed journals. Beyond academia, he plays an active role in the scholarly community as a committee member for leading international conferences such as the Asian Academy of Management International Conference, the International Conference on New Computational Social Science, and the IBIMA International Conference. He also serves on editorial boards of several reputable journals, including the Asian Academy of Management Journal (USM), the Journal of Leadership in Organizations (Universitas Gadjah Mada), and the Journal of Governance and Integrity (UMP).
Research Interest
corporate governance, corporate finance, and sustainability, where he has published more than 60 papers in international refereed journals
Dr. Shruti Singh
School of Management Sciences, India
Dr. Shruti Singh
School of Management Sciences, IndiaBiography
Dr. Shruti Singh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Commerce and Management at the School of Management Sciences (SMS), Varanasi, and a passionate scholar in the field of Behavioral Finance. She earned her Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where her doctoral research focused on the influence of social dynamics on investment decisions among retail investors and fund managers in India. With this unique blend of psychology, finance, and technology, her academic journey reflects an interdisciplinary approach that continues to shape her teaching, research, and outreach activities.
Research Interest
Behavioral Finance, Financial Management (International)Business Statistics, Operations Research
Prof. Azhar Kazmi
Strategy and Sustainability Advisory
India
Prof. Azhar Kazmi
Strategy and Sustainability AdvisoryIndia
Biography
Prof. Azhar Kazmi retired in 2023 as a visiting professor at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, an MBA from the University of Rajasthan, and a Ph.D. in management from Kurukshetra University. Currently, he freelances as a strategy and sustainability consultant and visiting professor at several business schools. With over 40 years of experience teaching MBA students, Prof. Kazmi has authored 60+ research papers and articles in notable journals. He has written several acclaimed books, including "Business Policy," which won two major awards, and "Strategic Management," co-authored with Dr. Adela Kazmi. Prof. Kazmi has held prominent academic positions, including roles at International Islamic University Malaysia, MDS University of Ajmer, and Aligarh Muslim University. He serves on academic and editorial boards and provides consultancy and training programs for various organizations.
Research Interest
Expertise in strategic management / business policy, corporate / business responsibility, and sustainability, with a focus on advancing business education in developing economies.
Prof. Marco Arraya
European University of Lisbon
Portugal
Prof. Marco Arraya
European University of LisbonPortugal
Biography
Marco Arraya is Assistant Professor at European University, Lisboa, Portugal. He holds a PhD in Strategic Management at Universidade Aberta, Portugal and a Post-Doctorate in Management at Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal. His main research interests include dynamic capabilities, strategic management, marketing, and organizational change. Marco has authored academic articles in international journals and has a long history of experience in competitive industries in the role of CEO.
Research Interest
Dynamic capabilities, strategic management, marketing, and organizational change
Dr. Ioanna Dimitrakaki
South-West University "Neofit Rilski" Blagoevgrad
Bulgaria
Dr. Ioanna Dimitrakaki
South-West University "Neofit Rilski" BlagoevgradBulgaria
Biography
Dr. Ioanna Dimitrakaki is a professor at the International Hellenic University of Greece, specializing in business management and marketing. Her academic background includes a PhD in Marketing from South-West University "Neofit Rilski" in Bulgaria and an MBA from Kingston University in the UK. Her research focuses on topics such as work-life balance, job satisfaction, and organizational culture, with a special interest in its impact on employee well-being and performance
Research Interest
Management and marketing, with a focus on topics such as job satisfaction, organizational culture, and leadership.
Dr. Ooi Kok Loang
University of Malaya
Malaysia
Dr. Ooi Kok Loang
University of MalayaMalaysia
Biography
Dr. Ooi Kok Loang is a Finance Scholar at the Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya. He holds a PhD in Behavioral Finance, a Master’s in Finance from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). A Certified Internal Auditor (CIA, USA), Dr. Ooi has extensive experience in auditing and consulting, having previously served with KPMG, one of the Big Four accounting firms. His academic career includes leadership roles such as Deputy Dean at City Graduate School, City University Malaysia. He has presented and published widely in international conferences and high-impact journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.
Research Interest
Behavioral finance, capital markets, and investor psychology, with a growing emphasis on ESG investing, financial technology (FinTech), and sustainable finance.
