Datuk Professor Dr Azizan Baharuddin FASc

Director

Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, Universiti Malaya

Datuk Professor Dr Azizan Baharuddin FASc is a distinguished scholar with a multifaceted expertise spanning sustainable development, environmental ethics, interfaith and inter-civilisational dialogue, Islam and science, bioethics, and religion in the context of sustainable development. Her prolific contributions include 200 books, book chapters, monographs, and articles.

Her notable achievements in the realm of Science & Religion earned her recognition and an award from the Centre for Theology & Natural Sciences in the United States in 2001. Dr Azizan's research interests encompasses environmental ethics, the intricate interplay between religion and science, and the societal impacts of scientific advancements. Her specialisation lies in the history, sociology, and philosophy of science, with a primary focus on science, religion, and sustainability.

Dr Azizan was crucial in advancing the sustainability agenda by bridging the gap between knowledge, practical application, and values. She possesses the insight to address the 'what', 'why', and 'how' in crafting holistic strategies to address the challenges of planetary resilience. Her scholarly impact is further evident through her H-index of 12, accompanied by 551 citations

She has also served as a member on numerous advisory and consultative committees for ministries in Malaysia. Notably, she was appointed by the Prime Minister as the Director-General of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) from 2015 to 2021. Dr Azizan's commitment to fostering understanding and harmony amongst religious communities was evident as the Chairman of the National Committee for the Promotion of Understanding and Harmony Amongst Religious Adherents (JKMPKA) from 2014 to 2015.

Furthermore, her global impact is underscored by her appointment as a Member of the International Bioethics Committee in Paris, by the Director-General of UNESCO, from 2014 to 2017. She is also recognised as one of the Malaysian experts endorsed by UNESCO, emphasising her valuable contributions to international discourse in her field.