Prof. Pervaiz K Ahmed
Director
Pervaiz K Ahmed is a Management scholar exploring innovation and strategic dynamics of entrepreneurial change. His outlook on management is colored by moral responsibility, particularly ethics of care and sustainability. Pervaiz has held several senior positions in the UK before coming to Malaysia. He has published extensively in international journals and is a regular keynote speaker with a number of academic awards for his research. In addition, he has served as editor and sits on the editorial boards of several international journals. He has extensive experience working with and advising blue-chip companies and public sector organizations, such as Unilever, Ford, AT&T, NCR, British Telecommunications, and the NHS in Europe. He has also been involved with corporate clients in Asia, as well as government agencies, such as the Singapore National Productivity Council.
In recent times Pervaiz has been involved with the Government of Dubai’s Public Sector Innovation and Improvement Initiative, and also served on projects commissioned by Economic Planning Unit (EPU), Ministry of International Trade (MITI), and APEC Secretariat.
Prof. Santha Vaithilingam
Deputy Director
Prof. Santha is a Professor of Econometrics and Policy Modelling at Sunway University. She is trained in mathematical modeling. Her current research interest revolves around behavioral econometrics, using mathematical and statistical modeling to understand human behavior and the decision-making process. Her research work is also focused on developing good research instruments and using robust data analytics & advanced statistical tools to research technology, innovation, and economic policy modeling for enhancing sustainable economic development. These tools are in high demand for researchers and trained personnel to undertake sound empirical analysis for effective policy formulation at the national, state, industrial, and community-level economic development issues.
She is currently involved in national and regional projects with the Academy of Science Malaysia (ASM), industry, and community organizations in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, she has published extensively in leading international refereed journals in the field.
Yeng Hong Qing
Senior Research Analyst
Hong is a senior research analyst specializing in quantitative analysis at the institute. With a background in psychology from Monash University, he shifted towards economic research and analysis as an aspiring behavioural economist. His work focuses on data analytics and modeling, where the insights inform policy recommendations and solutions. Hong has led the economic analysis and contributed to numerous national policy reports and publications at the institute, such as the MySTIE 10-10 Framework, Science Outlook 2020, Study on Strengthening The Environmental Governance in Malaysia, and the National Water Sector Transformation 2040.
Hong’s primary research interest lie in the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects of private and public sector development. In particular, the lack of equity in economic opportunities and outcomes between strata of society which impacts a country's social well-being and economic stability. During his downtime, Hong enjoys modern European-styled board games and agonizes over maximizing victory points with a group of friends.
Dr Teow Hui Hui
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
Hui Hui is a postdoctoral research fellow at IGSC, Sunway University. She completed a Ph.D. in management at Monash University Malaysia in 2021. Concurrently, she holds a Bachelor of Food Science & Technology and a Master in International Business from Monash University Malaysia. Hui Hui is a researcher specializing in career management, human resource management, and organizational behavior. Her current research projects in IGSC revolve around the health and well-being of human and the planet. Her preferred research method is survey research with an emphasis on structural equation modeling. She has presented her research papers at several international and regional conferences, such as the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) conference in Australia, the Academy of International Business Asia Pacific regional conference in Thailand, and the annual conference held by the European Academy of Management (EURAM) in Portugal.
Choong Chai Lim
Research Analyst
Chai Lim is a Research Analyst who specializes in qualitative research that focuses on deriving sentiments and perspectives from stakeholders on the ground through surveys and focus group discussions. Her work has contributed to the publication of several national reports, such as the MySTIE 10-10 framework, Science Outlook 2020, and the National Water Sector Transformation 2040.
Prior to her station at Sunway University, Chai Lim spent two years at Monash University Malaysia assisting in research in the field of economics, as well as three years in the food and beverage sector. She graduated from Monash University Malaysia and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Food Science and Technology.
Chai Lim's research interests lie in sustainable development, particularly in smart cities, transportation, and renewable energy. As we inch closer to the first quarter of the 21st Century, the negative impact of climate change becomes more evident and tangible; and if the human race is to survive, we must begin with change. She envisions a sustainable Malaysia as a beacon for change and hopes her research will help contribute to its transformation into a green, circular, and globally competitive Malaysia.
Dhiviya Gopal Balakrishnan
Research Analyst
Dhiviya is a Research Analyst at IGSC. She graduated from University Sains Malaysia (USM) with a Masters of Cognitive Neuroscience. Her research was entitled “Brain activation changes in positive emotion following brief mindfulness exercise: An fMRI study”. Prior to her masters, Dhiviya holds Bachelors of Cognitive Science from University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). She was involved in netball sports, protocol and event management for student council activities. Her current research projects in IGSC specializes in Health and Ageing population. Her research interest lies in quantitative methods, ageing, education, health and well-being, behavioural, and fore sighting. She has developed a passion for research in identifying the gaps to help ageing population increase life expectancy. She has great knowledge on programming languages (C++, phyton, HTML, CSS, SQL) problem solving creative website and mobile development skills. Dhiviya has the drive to pursue PhD in the near future.
Naqiuddin Naqib Bin Mohamad Khairri
Research Analyst
Naqib is a Research Analyst at IGSC. He holds a Master of Economics from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) where his research focused on "The Relationship Between Macroeconomic Variables and Foreign Direct Investment: Evidence from Asean-5 Countries." Naqib earned a Bachelor of Economics from Lancaster University (LU) where he actively represented the university's badminton team and also the welfare officer for the Malaysian Society. His current research projects focus on economic analysis. Naqib specialises in quantitative analysis, economic growth, energy consumption, and inflation rates; passionately identifying gaps to reduce energy consumption and foster economic growth. He is proficient in statistical analysis software such as IBM SPSS, EViews and Stata for quantitative data analysis. Naqib envisions a PhD and continually contributes significantly to the field he ventures. He enjoys playing basketball and badminton during his free time.
Eve Loo Yeen Chenng
Research Analyst
Eve began her professional journey as a Research Analyst at IGSC in January 2024. As a new team member, she is actively participating in a research project focused on the interconnected health and well-being of people, the planet, and the economy. Before this role, she gained vital experience through an internship with one of the Big 4 companies. Working within the IT-Enabled Transformation team, she developed her skills in project management and consulting while also gaining invaluable experience in conducting in-depth research and proficient data analysis.
She recently graduated from Sunway University with a bachelor's degree in Business Analytics. Her academic journey was marked by active involvement in various clubs and societies, holding leadership positions in the Business Analytics Society, the Students Helping Hands Club, and the Student Concilium. She possesses expertise in Python, R, HTML, CSS, SQL, and PHP. Her proficiency extends to data analysis and visualizations using tools like SPSS, Microsoft Excel Visual Basic Application (VBA), Tableau, and Power BI. She looks forward to contributing further to the intersection of research, technology, and the positive economic, environmental, and societal impacts.
Research Analyst
Sudhan Mahalingam is a Research Analyst at IGSC, where he focuses on emerging technologies. With a background in mechanical engineering and business information systems from Monash University, Sudhan’s research interests encompass generative AI, prompt engineering, and technology adoption. His technical skills in Python, Java, SQL, and engineering software like MATLAB complement his research endeavors.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Monash University, where his research focuses on forced convective heat transfer in air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Later, during his mater’s studies in Business Information Systems, Sudhan received the award for overall best graduate, a testament to his academic prowess. His master’s thesis explored creating effective prompts for large language models, demonstrating his keen interest in machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Sudhan aims to further his academic career by pursuing a PhD, where he intends to expand his research into the broader applications of AI and its impact on society. This ambition reflects his dedication to continuous learning and his commitment to contributing meaningfully to the field.
Fathin Raihana binti Norazlan
Project Management Executive
Fathin graduated from Universiti Technology MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam, where she studied interpersonal communications. She actively managed internal course projects, organised tournaments for her debate society, and volunteered with NGOs outside the university. She has a passion for anything involving communications and boosting team productivity. She was previously a marketing executive for a company that aims to make education accessible for everyone via online platforms and apps. She was responsible for building a strong presence for the company among local schools, teachers, and key players in education.
At Sunway IGSC, she is the go-to person for any of the team's concerns. She oversees the successful execution of projects, managing project resources, ensuring the team stays on track, and making IGSC a fun and meaningful place. Apart from that, Fathin likes cats and doing yoga at the gym.
