Dr. Rossilah Jamil, Associate Professor

School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, George Town, Malaysia

Biography

Dr. Rossilah Jamil is Associate Professor at Azman Hashim International Business School, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). She holds PhD in Development Policy (University of Manchester), MA in Training and HRD (University of Warwick), and BBA (Hons) HRM (UiTM, Malaysia). Her works circle around the areas of HRM, HRD, and sustainable HR-related subjects. She has written to various peer-reviewed publications, and authored books on ‘Training Needs Analysis’ and ‘Teaching Through Cases’. Her articles have appeared in Sage Open, Journal of Enabling Technologies, Sustainability, Industrial and Commercial Training, Journal of Academic Ethics, Asian Journal of Management Cases, and International Journal of Management Education. Her present research interests relate to sustainable HRM topics focusing on marginal workers such as neurodivergent and gig / non-traditional workers. She is a registered trainer with the HRD Corp to clients from Malaysia and overseas. Dr. Rossilah was involved in developing Malaysia’s first training index, and gig platform companies’ index.

Topic

Sustainable Human Resource Management Through Neurodiversity Employment

Abstract

Sustainable Human Resource Management (SHRM) has been gaining popularity with more companies integrating its practices to comply with global frameworks. SHRM focuses on balancing organisational triple bottom line goals to emphasize ethical labour practices, employee well-being, and environmentally responsible policies. By prioritising sustainability, organisations can enhance their reputation, attract socially conscious talent, and contribute to a more resilient business environment. One of SHRM’s key areas is on the diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives to create ethical and people-centred workplaces. Using neurodiversity employment, this speech explains how this initiative illustrates SHRM to foster a sustainable workforce that aims for organisational and societal good. Neurodiversity programs create inclusive workplaces for individuals with neurodivergent conditions like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia through tailored hiring processes, workplace accommodations, and specialised support to allow them thrive and grow in their careers. This speech shares examples of neurodiversity programs implemented by global companies, including empirical-based cases from Malaysia. Key commonalities and best practices of these programs will be discussed that require a revisit of traditional HRM. The speaker connects the programs’ alignment to important indicators and metrics under the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Further, challenges and prospects of the neurodiversity employment programs are highlighted in relation to organizational D&I initiatives and SHRM. The speech aims to encourage a discourse on the potentials of neurodiversity programs for organisations and governments to enhance their roles in building sustainable workplaces that support neurodivergent employees while advancing the broader SDG agenda.

Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob, Associate Professor

School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, George Town, Malaysia

Biography

Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob is a researcher specializing in management accounting, entrepreneurship, and SMEs. He is currently an Associate Professor and the Dean at the School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and has been teaching accounting and finance in the Open Distance Learning (ODL) program since 2008. Previously, he served as the Director of the USM Entrepreneurship Center and Deputy Dean of the School of Distance Education, playing a key role in USM being named Malaysia’s Most Entrepreneurial University in 2018. His international collaborations span universities in Malaysia, Australia, China, Indonesia, and Thailand, with appointments as a visiting professor and keynote speaker in multiple countries. Dr. Yaacob has published over 50 research articles (15 indexed in Scopus/WOS) and authored five books. He has contributed to agencies such as the Penang State Government, SME Corporation, and the Ministry of Education. His expertise is widely recognized, earning him multiple awards, including the USM Excellent Educator Award, Best Paper Award, and the Entrepreneurship Mentor Award.

Topic

Innovations, Social Enterprise and AI-driven Analytics for Sustainable Impact

Abstract

With the modern era being marked by rapid technological advancement and socio-economic challenges, we stand at the crossroads of innovation, social enterprise, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), presenting itself with a unique opportunity for transformational impact. This keynote will delineate how these areas jointly catalyze sustainable development, social equity, and economic resilience. The blending of AI and data analytics along with social entrepreneurship allow mission driven businesses to work with far more efficiency, scalability and flexibility. Organizations harness advanced analytics to drive evidence-based decision-making, optimize resource allocation, and measure social impact precisely. In the meantime, at-a-glance AI-driven solutions — machine learning models, predictive analytics — help address these issues, from financial inclusion to healthcare access and environmental sustainability. Yet while technology opens new horizons, innovation in social enterprise has to be mission-led and built on ethical foundations. This talk will explore challenges in adopting AI for social impact ventures, including algorithmic bias, ethical AI governance and the digital divide. It will also showcase successful case studies of AI-powered analytics that have transformed social enterprises, allowing them to scale their impact while ensuring financial sustainability. As we progress towards a more digital future, this keynote will propose a new way of thinking— a future where tech is not just disruptive but persuades the powers that be to embrace ideas of empathy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. Social enterprises can harness AI, big data, and human-centered innovation for new opportunity to solve critical challenges facing the world. Finally, the talk will discuss how researchers, policymakers, and practitioners can work together to develop a more resilient, data-driven, and socially responsible innovation ecosystem.