Dr. Mohd Erfino bin Johari
Dr. Mohd Erfino Johari is a Malaysian academic leader with over 30 years of experience in higher education governance, international academic diplomacy, public service, and corporate leadership. He currently serves as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Internationalisation) at Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM), where he leads academic transformation, global partnerships, dual-degree initiatives and institutional internationalisation strategies. He previously served as Director of Industrial Linkages and Academic Internationalisation (ILAI) and contributes actively to university governance through Senate committees and scholarly editorial boards.
His career spans significant roles within the Malaysian Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, including service as Education Attaché for Malaysia in the United Kingdom and Ireland and later as Director & Counsellor (Education) at the Malaysian High Commission in New Zealand, advancing bilateral academic cooperation and cross-border education initiatives. He also held senior corporate leadership roles as Chief Corporate Officer and Acting Chief Marketing Officer, contributing expertise in strategic governance, institutional branding and organisational performance.
Internationally engaged, he serves as Visiting Lecturer at universities in Universidad De Ixtlahuaca Mexico and UPY, UNU and UAD Indonesia. Appointed as International Research Fellow at Shinawatra International University (Thailand) and the International Cultural Communication Center Malaysia (ICCCM). He was invited as Keynote Speaker at SCTE2025 in Cairo, Egypt. He currently holds ten research grants including the FRGS (MOHE) and published 10 indexed journal articles in 2025 across Scopus (Q2), Web of Science, ERA, and MyCite. His research has earned Best Paper Awards at ICAR2023 and ICAR2025, as well as the Best Presenter Award at ICAR2025. He holds a PhD in Islamic Education, a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies, and a Bachelor’s degree in Arabic and Islamic Jurisprudence, with additional qualifications in education, management and counselling. His research focuses on Geo-Islamica education, Shariah-compliant governance, higher education policy, internationalisation strategy and nation-building. Guided by principles of integrity, inclusivity, and service, he continues to advance globally connected universities and future-ready graduates through scholarship, diplomacy, and strategic academic leadership.
DR. MOHD ERFINO JOHARI
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic & Internationalization
Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia
Internationally engaged, he serves as Visiting Lecturer at universities in Universidad De Ixtlahuaca Mexico and UPY, UNU and UAD Indonesia. Appointed as International Research Fellow at Shinawatra International University (Thailand) and the International Cultural Communication Center Malaysia (ICCCM). He was invited as Keynote Speaker at SCTE2025 in Cairo, Egypt. He currently holds ten research grants including the FRGS (MOHE) and published 10 indexed journal articles in 2025 across Scopus (Q2), Web of Science, ERA, and MyCite. His research has earned Best Paper Awards at ICAR2023 and ICAR2025, as well as the Best Presenter Award at ICAR2025. He holds a PhD in Islamic Education, a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies, and a Bachelor’s degree in Arabic and Islamic Jurisprudence, with additional qualifications in education, management and counselling. His research focuses on Geo-Islamica education, Shariah-compliant governance, higher education policy, internationalisation strategy and nation-building. Guided by principles of integrity, inclusivity, and service, he continues to advance globally connected universities and future-ready graduates through scholarship, diplomacy, and strategic academic leadership.
DR. MOHD ERFINO JOHARI
Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic & Internationalization
Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia
