★ ​​Esteemed Author​​
Authored by Professor Mushthak Ahmed Attarwala, Provost & CEO of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia—an internationally renowned educator, innovation leader, and a pioneer of global MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). His online courses have reached students in over 150 countries, and he brings extensive cross-sector experience in leadership and education consulting.

★ ​​Science-Based Exploration of Collaboration​​
Approaching the topic of collaboration from a scientific foundation and multidisciplinary perspective—including biology, psychology, and sociology—this book reveals that cooperation is a fundamental driver of human progress. It introduces a powerful and concise formula: ​​Collaboration = Shared Purpose × Mutual Trust​​. By integrating real-world cases (such as bacterial biofilms) and practical examples from business and education, the book vividly illustrates how shared goals and trust fuel effective collaboration, offering actionable models for organizations of all kinds.

★ ​​Educator’s Perspective + Leadership Empowerment​​
Going beyond the question of “why we should collaborate,” the book focuses on “how to collaborate.” It is highly insightful for educators, corporate leaders, policymakers, and anyone seeking to enhance collective performance and drive meaningful collaboration.

The story of humankind is marked by breathtaking advancements. From mastering fire, steam, and electricity to developing artificial intelligence, there seems to be no limit to human ingenuity. However, the trade-offs that accompanied these remarkable feats, like environmental degradation, increased hypercompetition, isolation, and self-centred individualism, are increasingly resulting in negative outcomes that are beyond sustainable levels. As global challenges become more complex, the future of humanity hinges on our ability to leverage our interconnectedness, master the art of inspiring shared purpose, and nurture mutual trust to achieve what would be impossible individually.

The Collaboration Equation champions this view by presenting a compelling argument that collaboration—not competition—is the fundamental organizing principle of life. This book explores the biological, psychological, and societal foundations of collaboration, revealing that the key to thriving ecosystems, successful organizations, and harmonious societies lies in collaborative interaction.

By putting forward a simple formula (Collaboration = Shared Purpose x Mutual Trust) that encapsulates the essence of effective collaboration across all levels of existence, the book illustrates how collaboration is embedded in our DNA, from bacteria that form protective biofilms to humans who build complex civilizations. Through examples and case studies, it demonstrates how shared purpose aligns individuals and groups towards common goals, while mutual trust enables the open exchange of ideas and the willingness to work collectively for humanity’s greater good.

Mushtak Al-Atabi
Professor Dr. Mushtak Al-Atabi is currently the Provost and CEO at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia. A passionate educator, innovator and an agent of change, Mushtak always challenges the status quo to unlock value. He pioneered the use of the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) educational framework in Malaysia. He offered one of the first Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in Asia (the first in Malaysia) in 2013. His online classes, Entrepreneurship, Success with Emotional Intelligence and Global Entrepreneurship, attracted thousands of students from 150 countries. He speaks at international conferences and consults for national and multinational corporations, including universities, banks and manufacturing and energy companies, in the areas of leadership, innovation, human development, performance and technology. Mushtak is the author of Think Like an Engineer, Leading with Stories, and Driven by Purpose. His research interests include thermo-fluids, renewable energy, biomechanical engineering, engineering education and academic leadership. He has numerous research publications, awards and honours. Mushtak is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK), a member of the Board of Directors at the British Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and the Chairman of the Vice-Chancellors’ Council of Private Universities in Malaysia.