Ashraf is a Research Analyst at the Sunway Institute for Global Strategy and Competitiveness (IGSC), where he specialises in sustainability strategy, ESG adoption, and the future of green economic development in Malaysia and the region. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Durham University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree by research in Accounting, deepening his expertise at the intersection of finance and environmental performance. Ashraf’s research portfolio spans green lending, planetary health transitions among SMEs, and the emerging role of leadership in driving environmental and societal outcomes.

In research, Ashraf has conducted empirical work involving multiyear panel data analysis, econometric modelling, and regression techniques using R and Stata. His Master’s research examines the effect of green banking practices on the performance of 28 financial institutions over a 12 year period, contributing evidence to the evolving discourse on sustainable finance and environmental risk management. His scholarly interests continue to expand, encompassing planetary health, climate and sustainability governance, leadership for environmental transitions, green finance, and the integration of AI driven analytical tools in ESG assessment.

Ashraf’s long term ambition is to advance sustainability scholarship through doctoral research, with particular focus on leadership, planetary health, and organisational change. He is committed to supporting evidence informed policymaking, enabling organisational transition, and strengthening educational ecosystems that prepare future leaders for a rapidly evolving world. Anchored by strong communication skills, analytical rigour, and a passion for lifelong learning, Ashraf continues to build work that bridges ESG, finance, and the wellbeing of society and the planet.