Professor Madya Dr. Halina Sendera Bt. Mohd. Yakin

Associate Professor Dr. Halina Sendera Mohd. Yakin is a scholar in cultural communication, heritage, and socio-cultural studies at the Centre for the Promotion of Knowledge and Language Learning (Pusat Penataran Ilmu dan Bahasa), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS). She holds a PhD from Universiti Malaya and completed postdoctoral research in Anthropology and Sociology at the University of Sussex, UK. Since joining UMS in 1999, she has progressed through various academic roles, culminating in her current appointment as Associate Professor (Profesor Madya). She has also held key administrative positions, including Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation and Community Services, member of the UMS Research Cluster Committee, and Programme Coordinator at UMS. Her research expertise encompasses intercultural communication, cultural heritage, and the socio-cultural dynamics of Sabah’s communities. She has led and collaborated on numerous research projects funded by UMS, the Ministry of Higher Education, and the Sabah State Government, with notable studies on digital poverty, intercultural student experiences, and the preservation of indigenous food heritage and local herbs. A prolific author, Dr. Halina has published extensively in high-indexed journals (SCOPUS, WOS, ERA, MyCite) and contributed to numerous books on communication, cultural identity, and liberal studies. Her teaching portfolio focuses on Komunikasi Antara Budaya (Intercultural Communication), reflecting her commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding among students and communities. Her contributions to academia and university service have been recognised through multiple awards, including Top 10 MyRA Contributors (2024), Anugerah Khidmat Terpuji, Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang, as well as recognition in innovation competitions (Best Innovation in Environmental Cluster, Gold & Silver Medals). She has also received awards for Best Researcher (Senior), Best Presenter at International Conferences, and Best Living Lab Leader, among others. Dr. Halina is an active member of several national and international associations, including the Majlis Profesor Negara, The International Academic Forum (IAFOR), Persatuan Pendidik Komunikasi Malaysia, and Yayasan Komuniti Bajau Malaysia.