Mohammed Elhaj Mustafa Ali | Development Economics | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Mohammed Elhaj Mustafa Ali | Development Economics | Research Excellence Award

Assistant Professor | University of Khartoum | Sudan

Dr. Mohammed Elhaj Mustafa Ali is an accomplished scholar in economics whose work spans development economics, labor markets, health financing, foreign direct investment, poverty dynamics, and structural transformation in emerging economies. As an active academic and researcher, he has contributed extensively to understanding how household behavior, labor participation, and health expenditure patterns shape welfare outcomes in both urban and rural contexts. His research integrates econometric modeling, panel data analysis, and mixed methodological approaches to examine issues such as youth unemployment, informal sector participation, digital transformation in business environments, and the interplay between institutional quality and economic development. He has produced influential studies on foreign aid effectiveness, environmental–economic relationships, global value chain participation, and the socio-economic impacts of epidemics and public health shocks. His publications appear in regional and international journals, complemented by working papers and policy-oriented outputs that offer evidence-based insights for governments and development partners. Dr. Ali has also delivered research within collaborative networks and contributed to regional conferences, often presenting findings that bridge academic inquiry and policy relevance. His professional experience includes academic leadership, teaching, research supervision, and participation in multi-country development programs, reflecting a commitment to capacity building and informed policy formulation. He has undertaken consultancy assignments addressing gendered economic roles, market assessments, labor market inclusion, and the socio-economic vulnerabilities of communities affected by crises. His work demonstrates a sustained focus on linking empirical research with real-world development challenges, advancing inclusive growth, and promoting evidence-driven policymaking in Sudan and across the broader region.

Profiles: Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publication

Ebaidalla, E. M., & Ali, M. E. M. (2019). Determinants and impact of household’s out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in Sudan: Evidence from urban and rural population. Middle East Development Journal, 11(2), 181–198.

Mustafa, M. E., Elshakh, M. M., & Ebaidalla, E. M. (2019). Does foreign aid promote economic growth in Sudan? Evidence from ARDL bounds testing analysis. Journal of Economic Cooperation & Development, 40(3).

Ebaidalla, E. M., & Ali, M. E. M. (2023). Assessing intra-Arab trade integration and potential: Evidence from the stochastic frontier gravity model. The International Trade Journal, 37(2), 221–239.

Ali, M. E. M., & Ebaidalla, E. M. (2023). Does COVID-19 pandemic spur digital business transformation? Evidence from selected MENA countries. International Journal of Social Economics, 50(12), 1672–1687.

Ali, M. E. M., & Ebaidalla, E. M. (2023). Political Islam and crony capitalism in Sudan: A case study of “Munazzamat al-Dawa al-Islamiyya”. Economic Research Forum (ERF).

Bing Ji Yan | Ironmaking | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Bing Ji Yan | Ironmaking | Research Excellence Award

Professor | Soochow University | China

Prof. Bing Ji Yan is a leading researcher in metallurgical process intelligence, specializing in intelligent ironmaking, optimization of blast furnace raw materials and fuel resources, and multi-scale numerical simulation of complex ironmaking processes. His work integrates metallurgical engineering fundamentals with advanced computational modeling, data-driven analytics, and deep-learning-based industrial perception technologies to enhance the efficiency, stability, and sustainability of blast furnace operations. He has developed intelligent control systems, visual diagnostic tools, and decision-support platforms that significantly improve air volume regulation, burden distribution prediction, hearth erosion modeling, and operational state perception in large-scale furnaces. His research also advances the comprehensive utilization of solid waste resources, particularly in transforming metallurgical by-products such as titanium-bearing blast furnace slag into high-value glass-ceramic materials through innovative crystallization control and stress-mechanism analysis. Prof. Yan has led and contributed to major scientific and industrial projects related to data-driven ironmaking optimization, model development for resource procurement and batching strategies, and intelligent smelting operation guidance for enhanced energy efficiency. He has published influential work in internationally recognized journals in ironmaking, materials science, and process simulation, and holds multiple national invention patents and software copyrights in areas including slag processing systems, softening-melting detection devices, and intelligent furnace perception technologies. His contributions extend to industrial collaborations that translate research into real-world furnace optimization solutions, supporting advances in efficient, low-carbon, and intelligent metallurgical production.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Jianfeng, W., Yici, W., Guo, H., & Yan, B. (2024). Blast furnace hearth erosion modelling based on the dataset approach. Ironmaking & Steelmaking.

Mu, Y., Wu, Z., Yan, B., Liang, H., He, H., & Guo, H. (2024). Development and application of closed-loop-oriented intelligent control system for blast furnace air volume addition or reduction. Ironmaking & Steelmaking.

Dang, Z., Yan, B., Wang, D., Guo, H., Zhao, W., & Li, H. (2024). One-step preparation of cast stone from TBFS: Dual effects of TiO₂ content on glass network and precipitation behavior. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 629.

Wang, D., Yan, B., Dang, Z., Li, P., Guo, H., & Song, Z. (2024). Analysis and mechanism study of residual stress during the spontaneous crystallisation process of molten titanium-containing blast furnace slag. Crystals.

He, Q., Liang, H., Yan, B., & Guo, H. (2024). Angle diagnosis of blast furnace chute through deep learning of temporal images. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 73.

Kangkang Sun | Control Science | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Kangkang Sun | Control Science | Best Researcher Award

Associate Researcher | Harbin Institute of Technology | China

Dr. Kangkang Sun is a researcher in control science whose work integrates security control, intelligent decision-making, and autonomous system optimization across complex cyber-physical environments. His research bridges advanced control theory with artificial intelligence, reinforcement learning, deep learning, and interpretability principles to address vulnerabilities and create resilient, adaptive, and high-performControl Scienceance systems for spacecraft, robotics, and unmanned aerial vehicles. He has contributed extensively to secure control frameworks for nonlinear systems, optimal control designs, fuzzy adaptive approaches, fault-tolerant strategies, and finite-time performance guarantees, producing an impactful body of publications that includes numerous SCI papers and multiple highly cited works in leading IEEE journals. His scholarship is recognized through service roles on editorial boards, associate editorships, and guest editorships for prominent international journals, while his involvement in professional societies reflects active engagement in global research communities related to systems engineering, cybernetics, intelligent control, and smart city technologies. He frequently contributes to international conferences as a chair, committee member, or organizer, supporting the advancement of control theory and automation research worldwide. His achievements extend to awards for scientific excellence, reviewing contributions, and research leadership, reinforced by successful involvement in competitive national and regional research grants. Dr. Sun’s professional experience spans academic, governmental, and international research environments, highlighting his multidisciplinary impact and his commitment to advancing secure, intelligent, and autonomous control systems for emerging technological applications.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Sun, K., (2025). UUB stability of NCSS under asynchronous packet loss and random UDP attacks: LMI method-based controller design technology. International Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control.

Sun, K.,. Intelligent LFC of IT-2 fuzzy power systems with improved memory event-triggered scheme supervised by genetic algorithm. Nonlinear Dynamics.

Sun, K., [Oth. Resilient H∞ synchronization of piecewise-homogeneous Markovian jumping NNs with time-varying delay and asynchronous modes: A delayed event-triggered scheme. Journal of the Franklin Institute.

Sun, K.,.(2025). Behavioral evolution characteristics of the integrated control system for spacecraft based on Petri nets. Scientia Sinica Informationis.

 

Sisira Jayasekara | Banking | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Sisira Jayasekara | Banking | Research Excellence Award

Additional Director | Central Bank of Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka

Mr. Sisira Jayasekara is an independent researcher whose scholarly work has substantially advanced global understanding of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. His research critically evaluates the effectiveness of risk-based frameworks, the practical impact of FATF recommendations, and the institutional mechanisms that influence compliance within financial systems. By introducing innovative perspectives, including the application of agency theory to AML/CFT, he has contributed new conceptual clarity to policy discourse and regulatory implementation. His publications appear in reputable indexed journals and address the complexities of financial integrity, institutional governance, and regulatory efficiency in evolving global financial landscapes. Beyond AML/CFT, his work explores value information and its role in shaping the performance of financial institutions, offering insights that bridge accounting, economics, and regulatory science. Professionally, he has held progressive leadership and analytical roles within financial oversight, financial intelligence, bank supervision, accounting, auditing, and large-scale public sector financial management. These positions have strengthened his expertise in evaluating institutional risks, designing supervisory approaches, and enhancing compliance cultures across diverse financial environments. His multidisciplinary training in accountancy, management, law, finance, and professional accounting enriches his holistic research perspective, enabling him to integrate theoretical rigor with practical regulatory experience. Mr. Jayasekara continues to contribute to knowledge creation in AML/CFT, financial sector governance, and institutional performance through evidence-based analysis, conceptual innovation, and a consistent commitment to strengthening global financial security.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publication

Jayasekara, S. D. (2021). Deficient regimes of anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism: Agenda of digital banking and financial inclusion. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 24(1), 150–162.

Jayasekara, S. D. (2014). Determinants of foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka. Journal of the University of Ruhuna, 2(1–2).

Jayasekara, S. D. (2021). How effective are the current global standards in combating money laundering and terrorist financing? Journal of Money Laundering Control, 24(2), 257–267.

Jayasekara, S. D. (2018). Challenges of implementing an effective risk-based supervision on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism under the 2013 FATF methodology. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 21(4), 601–615.

Jayasekara, S. D. (2022). Administrative model of financial intelligence units: An analysis of effectiveness of the AML/CFT regime. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 25(3), 511–525.

Abiodun Salawu | Communication | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Abiodun Salawu | Communication | Research Excellence Award

Professor and Research Director | North West University | South Africa

Prof. Abiodun Salawu is a distinguished scholar in communication studies whose work has significantly shaped the fields of indigenous language media, journalism, and development communication across Africa. As a leading academic based at North West University, he directs a major research entity focused on Indigenous Language Media in Africa, demonstrating long standing commitment to promoting multilingualism, minority language preservation, and culturally grounded media practices. His research explores how language, media, and society intersect within complex sociopolitical contexts, and he has contributed extensively to scholarship on African language journalism, media sustainability, digital transformation, communication for development, and the political economy of media. A prolific academic mentor, he has supervised numerous doctoral, master’s, and postgraduate research projects across diverse areas such as health communication, political communication, media policy, social media studies, entertainment-education, and community broadcasting, thereby shaping a new generation of communication scholars across the continent. His leadership extends to major professional bodies in media and communication research, where he holds influential roles that support global scholarly exchange and minority language media advocacy. His professional experience spans academia, editorial leadership, journalism practice, and mentorship engagements, reflecting a deep integration of theory and practice. He has attracted significant research funding for pioneering projects related to African language media development, digital innovation, media sustainability, and community engagement. His scholarly output, academic service, and contributions to communication research continue to advance knowledge on how media can drive cultural vitality, democratic participation, and social transformation within multilingual African societies.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publication

Kimu, S. S. K., Mdoka, W. H., & Salawu, A. (2025). Accommodating multilingualism on religious national radio: The case of Radio Islam Malawi. In Reconceptualising multilingualism on African radio: Language and identity.

Adesina, E., & Salawu, A. (2025). Knowledge of breast cancer risk factors and preferred indigenous language information sources among women in Lagos, Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies.

Salawu, A. (2025). Press and politics: Contributions of Sol Plaatje to South African journalism. Journal of Asian and African Studies.

Minhas, S., & Salawu, A. (2025). Wikipedia and indigenous language preservation: Analysis of Setswana and Punjabi languages. Frontiers in Communication.

Adesina, E., Salawu, A., & Adeyeye, B. (2025). Bridging cultural gaps in health communication: Indigenous language as a catalyst for combatting monkeypox in Lagos, Nigeria. South African Journal of African Languages.

 

Wenchao Liu | Marketing | Research Excellence Award

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Prof. Dr. Wenchao Liu | Marketing | Research Excellence Award

Jilin University of Finance and Economics | China

Prof. Dr. Wenchao Liu is a distinguished scholar in marketing and management whose work integrates theoretical analysis with practical applications across areas such as consumer behavior, brand management, entrepreneurial management, regional branding, and service marketing. His research advances understanding of how enterprises create value through co-creation, social networks, customer experience, and digital transformation, and he has contributed significantly to the study of retailer power, investor decision-making psychology, entrepreneurial team competence, and the evolving relationship between customers and service enterprises. He has produced an extensive body of publications in reputable journals and has authored influential monographs that support academic development in marketing science. His scholarship also extends into contemporary topics such as artificial intelligence in services, anthropomorphic service robots, tourism experience analysis, regional brand value co-creation, and sustainable supply chain decision making, positioning him at the forefront of interdisciplinary marketing research. As an active contributor to national and regional research initiatives, he has led and participated in numerous funded projects spanning social sciences, technology guidance, higher education research, and industry-linked consulting, strengthening the integration of academic insights with socio-economic development. His long-standing involvement in management consulting further enhances the practical relevance of his work by bridging academic theory with real-world enterprise challenges. Prof. Liu also plays a key role in academic communities through leadership and membership in professional marketing associations, promoting research collaboration, disciplinary development, and academic exchange, while continuing to mentor emerging scholars and contribute to the advancement of marketing thought and practice.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publication

Han, Y., Liu, W., Han, Y., Cao, Z., & Ju, J. (2025). Decision making and welfare effects in manufacturer’s closed-loop supply chain for recycling and remanufacturing: A risk signal game theory perspective. Journal of Cleaner Production.

Liu, W., & Han, Y. (2024). Selecting the appropriate platform: The varied effects of service merchant marketing strategies on the performance of supply chain participants. Sustainability.

Liu, W., & Xin, X. (2008). A preliminary analysis of corporate culture construction based on social responsibility in enterprises. Modern Business, 75–77.

Li, J., & Liu, W. (2010). Derivative change: The “obstacle” to marketing change. Sales and Marketing (Review Edition), 51–53.

Zhang, Z., Zhu, H., & Liu, W. (2010). Research on the relationship between social network competence and entrepreneurial performance of entrepreneurial enterprises. Taxation and Economics, 25–28.

Chien-I Chang | Robotics | Research Excellence Award

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Mr. Chien-I Chang | Robotics | Research Excellence Award

National Chiayi University | Taiwan

Mr. Chien-I Chang is a robotics researcher whose work integrates intelligent systems, autonomous control, and applied computer science to advance next-generation robotic technologies. His research centers on designing adaptive robotic platforms capable of operating in dynamic, unstructured, or human-interactive environments, with a strong emphasis on sensor fusion, machine perception, and real-time decision-making. He has extensive experience developing autonomous navigation algorithms, robotic manipulation systems, and embedded architectures optimized for efficiency, stability, and scalability. His work bridges theoretical modeling with practical engineering, resulting in robotics solutions that are deployable across industrial, educational, and service-oriented settings. Through continuous exploration of mechatronic integration, computer vision, and learning-based control, he aims to enhance robot autonomy and expand practical use cases in daily life. His professional experience includes leading innovative robotics projects, mentoring teams in advanced robotic development, and transforming research outcomes into functional systems with societal impact. He is particularly interested in scalable and modular robotic designs that lower entry barriers for automation and support real-world problem solving. His research philosophy focuses on combining rigorous scientific inquiry with hands-on experimentation to accelerate the evolution of intelligent robotics. Through his academic pursuits and ongoing contributions to the robotics industry, he remains committed to advancing the performance, reliability, and accessibility of robotic technologies while fostering innovation that benefits education, industry, and broader communities.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Chang, C.-I., (2025). A low-cost autonomous outdoor robot with stabilized controller and deep-learning integrated GPS navigator under end-to-end implementation. Journal of the Chinese Institute of Engineers / Transactions of the Chinese Institute of Engineers, Series A. Advance online publication.

Xianghong Huang | Bubble | Research Excellence Award

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Dr. Xianghong Huang | Bubble | Research Excellence Award

Jiangsu University of Science and Technology | China

Dr. Xianghong Huang is a dedicated researcher and academic specializing in naval architecture and ocean engineering with strong expertise in drillship hydrodynamics, bubble dynamics, and cross-media vehicle fluid mechanics. His work integrates experimental hydrodynamics, theoretical modeling, and applied engineering, contributing to the advancement of ship stability, liquid–structure interaction, and wave vessel coupling mechanisms. Dr. Huang has produced influential publications in leading international journals, demonstrating significant contributions to the understanding of moonpool resonance suppression, bubble behavior near elastic boundaries, and fluid-structure interactions affecting advanced marine systems. His research portfolio includes participation in high value national and provincial scientific projects involving bubble cluster interactions with boundary layers, cavitation bubble dynamics in confined ship liquid tanks, and similarity criteria for scaled water-entry experiments, supporting innovations in ship safety, impact-resistant design, and high-performance naval structures. He has also developed patented technologies addressing liquid sloshing mitigation, experimental bubble-flow simulation, streamlined coating methods, and structural connectors for ultra-large offshore floating platforms, reflecting his strong engagement in applied marine engineering innovation. His contributions to ship structure vibration analysis and cabin noise prediction technologies have been recognized through prestigious scientific awards from authoritative professional societies, highlighting the engineering relevance and societal value of his work. As an active reviewer for international journals and collaborator on major interdisciplinary research initiatives, Dr. Huang continues to advance the scientific understanding of complex hydrodynamic phenomena while supporting the development of next-generation marine engineering systems.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publication

Huang, X. (n.d.). Semi-analytical modeling and vibration characteristics analysis of functionally graded materials plates on Winkler–Pasternak elastic foundations.

Kaiyao Wu | Energy Economics | Research Excellence Distinction Award

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Prof. Kaiyao Wu | Energy Economics | Research Excellence Distinction Award

Professor | Shanghai University of International Business and Economics | China

Prof. Kaiyao Wu is a distinguished scholar in statistics, sustainable development economics, and global value chain research, recognized for his extensive contributions to the quantitative analysis of international trade, energy systems, and digital economic transformation. His work integrates statistical modeling, network analysis, and data science to explore how global production systems, demographic transitions, and environmental governance shape economic development and enterprise behavior. Prof. Wu has authored more than forty peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, offering influential insights into embedded carbon flows, carbon neutrality strategies, energy efficiency measurement, ESG performance, global value chain positioning, and outward foreign investment dynamics. His interdisciplinary research bridges industrial economics, environmental accounting, and digitalization studies, with notable applications to enterprise decision-making, regional sustainability assessments, and international trade competitiveness. He has published multiple monographs and textbooks covering topics such as 3E (economy-energy-environment) coupling networks, enterprise data processing, and sustainable development accounting, which are widely used in academic and professional communities. In addition to his research achievements, Prof. Wu plays an active role in academic leadership as a member of several national expert committees, contributing to policy evaluation, statistical innovation, and digital-trade research. He also serves as a reviewer and evaluator for major national research programs, supporting the advancement of empirical methodologies and evidence-based policymaking. His teaching interests span enterprise data analytics, SAS-based statistical analysis, global value chain statistics, and applied market research, where he integrates rigorous quantitative approaches with real-world problem-solving to cultivate the next generation of data-driven professionals.

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Duan, J., Li, Y., Shi, W., & Wu, K. (2025). Beyond the linear: Green technology innovation, moderators, and GVC upgrading. SSRN.

Du, L., Wei, M., & Wu, K. (2023). Information technology and firm’s green innovation: Evidence from China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30.

Liu, H., Wu, K., & Zhou, Q. (2022). Whether and how ESG impacts corporate financial performance in the Yangtze River Delta of China. Sustainability, 14(24), 16584.

Wu, K., Chen, F., Anwar, S., & Liao, L. (2024). The impact of population aging on a country’s global value chain position: Unraveling the dynamics and mechanisms. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 60(3).

Wu, K., Sun, C., Zhang, J., & Duan, J. (2023). Carbon neutrality along the global value chain: An international embedded carbon network analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30.