Assoc. Prof. Dr. Janice Nga Lay Hui
Academic Fellow
Dr. Nga is an Associate Professor of Planning and Development Economics, Universiti Malaysia Sabah(UMS). She is the first to complete the integrated PhD or PhD Plus from the Department of East Asian Studies, University of Leeds, UK. She has seerved as Conference Chair for several conferences e.g. the 12thISTR Asia-Pacific Regional Conference 2022 and the 5thInternational Conference on Economics (ICE 2025).
She has been leading various research and consultation work. Her innovative and creative attribute has led her to explore research work of her passion such as third sector research, civil society and youth. Her research work has been translated into important documents and significant publications such as Sabah Youth Policy, Strategic Plan for Sabah Youth Development etc. Her popular publications include “Covid-19 Pandemic and Unemployment in Malaysia: A Case Study from Sabah” (July 2021) most downloaded journal in Cosmopolitan Civil Societies; “Child Marriage and Resistance Movements” (February 2020), a chapter in Gender Equality-Encyclopaedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
She plays significant roles at all levels, internationally and domestically. She has been successfully selected among worldwide applicants to be in the advisory panel for Global Girl Research by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), appointed as the reference expert for Malaysian Happiness Index (MHI) for 2021-2024, the advisor and resource person of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Sabah (KBSS), Sabah Youth Consultative Council (MPBNS), Sabah Youth Council (MBS), expert team member of the Malaysian Innovation Foundation (YIM), think tank member of the Institute for Social Science Studies (IPSAS), advisory board member of the National Integration Research and Training Institute (IKLIN), and many others. She has received numerous recognitions and awards.
Her involvement in civil society organisations is exemplary. Currently, she is the advisor for the Sabah Autism Society (SAS), the National Honorary Secretary for Girl Guide Association Malaysia (GGAM) since 2023, Vice President II for Malaysian Youth Council Alumni (Sabah), Klover Commissioner of GGAM Sabah Branch and many others. She is the first Queen’s Guide of Manjung district,Perak and has since inspired many young girls to achieve the said highest award. She is the youngest ever Elected EXCO for the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM), youngest ever appointed national commissioner of GGAM, and longest serving Deputy Chief Commissioner of GGAM (Sabah Branch) 2013-2023.