Bekalu Atnafu Taye | Pedagogy | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Academic Awards

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bekalu Atnafu Taye | Pedagogy | Best Researcher Award

Kotebe University of Education | Ethiopia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bekalu Atnafu Taye is a distinguished scholar in English Language Education with extensive expertise in TEFL, special needs education, and psychosocial determinants of learning. Holding a PhD and two MAs from Addis Ababa University, he has contributed significantly to research on language anxiety, multilingual education, and educational policy. His academic career spans multiple leadership roles, including Associate Professor at Kotebe University of Education, Director of Centres of Excellence in Research, and Associate Editor of the Kotebe Journal of Education. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bekalu Atnafu Taye has published extensively in national and international journals, authored monographs, prepared teaching materials, and supervised PhD students. He has coordinated and contributed to local and international research projects and grants, including collaborations with the University of Bristol and the East African Education Research Network. His professional services include journal peer reviews, training workshops, and consultancy for educational institutions. Recognized with multiple awards and appreciation letters, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bekalu Atnafu Taye exemplifies academic excellence, research impact, and leadership in advancing education in Ethiopia and beyond.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

  • Taye, B. A. (2019). The medium of instruction in Ethiopian higher education institutions. African Journal of Teacher Education, 8(2), 1–24.

  • Taye, B. A. (2018). Language anxiety and achievement among freshman students of Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. African Journal of Teacher Education, 7(2).

  • Taye, B. A. (2017). Ethnic federalism and conflict in Ethiopia. African Journal on Conflict Resolution, 17(2), 41–66.

  • Taye, B. A. (2017). Verbal behaviors of teachers and student anxiety in language classes. Bahir Dar University Journal of Education, 17(1).

  • Taye, B. A. (2018). Ethnic cleansing in Ethiopia. Peace Research, 50(1), 77–104.

Jacob Oppong Nkansah | Education Policy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Jacob Oppong Nkansah | Education Policy | Best Researcher Award

The Education University Of Hong Kong | Hong Kong

Dr. Jacob Oppong Nkansah is a distinguished scholar specializing in global higher education policy, governance, and social inclusion, with a strong commitment to academic excellence and policy advancement. Holding dual doctoral degrees—a PhD in Social Studies from the University of Education, Winneba, and a Doctor of Policy Studies from Lingnan University, Hong Kong—he combines theoretical depth with practical insight. His research spans internationalisation, quality assurance, transnational education models, and the intersection of social and education policy, emphasizing equity, inclusion, and institutional performance. With 24 peer-reviewed publications, 92 citations, and an h-index of 6, his works in renowned journals such as Higher Education, Education and Information Technologies, and Social Sciences & Humanities Open demonstrate international impact. Professionally, he has served as Postdoctoral Research Associate at The Education University of Hong Kong and Assistant Research Officer at Lingnan University, alongside prior academic appointments in Ghana. Through teaching, mentorship, and policy-focused research across Asia and Africa, Dr. Jacob Oppong Nkansah continues to make significant contributions to educational leadership, community development, and sustainable social policy reform.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

  • Kwarteng, P., Asiamah, F., Twumasi, A. O., Nkansah, J. O., & Issaka, J. (2022). Parental involvement in the academic performance of students in Ghana: Socio-economic status. Open Journal of Educational Research, 2(3), 114–125.

  • Awuviry‐Newton, K., Nkansah, J. O., & Ofori‐Dua, K. (2020). Attributions of elder neglect: A phenomenological study of older people in Ghana. Health & Social Care in the Community, 28(6), 2172–2178.

  • Newton, A., Awuviry‐Newton, K., Oppong Nkansah, J., & Abekah‐Carter, K. (2022). Understanding older adults’ functioning and health‐seeking behaviour during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Ghana: A descriptive qualitative study. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30(3), e823–e831.

  • Koduah, A. O., Amoah, P. A., Nkansah, J. O., & Leung, A. Y. M. (2021). A comparative analysis of student and practising nurses’ health literacy knowledge in Ghana. Healthcare, 9(1), 38.

  • Nkansah, J. O., & Oldac, Y. I. (2024). Unraveling the attributions of digital literacy skills and knowledge gap in Ghana’s higher education: Undergraduate students’ voices in a phenomenological study. Education and Information Technologies, 29(12), 15249–15268.

Amoni Kitooke | Educational Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Academic Awards

Mr. Amoni Kitooke | Educational Sciences | Best Researcher Award

University of Borås | Sweden

Mr. Amoni Kitooke is a Ugandan doctoral researcher in Educational Sciences at the University of Borås and Lund University, Sweden, specializing in community-oriented praxis in teacher education, social justice, and participatory methodologies. He earned his MSc in Education with a focus on Educational Research from the University of Gothenburg and a BA with Education from Makerere University, alongside a Diploma in Secondary Education from Kyambogo University. His academic contributions include journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers published in reputable platforms such as the International Journal of Social Research Methodology and Frontiers in Education. He has also presented at international forums in Sweden, South Africa, Japan, and the USA, demonstrating global scholarly engagement. Professionally, he served as Deputy Executive Director at the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda, where he led cultural heritage, education, and advocacy programs. His academic impact is reflected in 3 citations, 4 documents, and an h-index of 1, underscoring his emerging research profile.

Profile: Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Pandya, J. Z., Mora, R. A., Alford, J. H., Golden, N. A., & De Roock, R. S. (2022). The handbook of critical literacies. Routledge.

Reimer, K. E., Kaukko, M., Windsor, S., Mahon, K., & Kemmis, S. (2023). Living well in a world worth living in for all: Volume 1: Current practices of social justice, sustainability and wellbeing. Springer Nature.

Windsor, S., & Kitooke, A. (2023). Practices and experiences in educational researcher training: Reflections from research students exploring the theme, living well in a world worth living in during the COVID-19 pandemic. In K. E. Reimer, M. Kaukko, S. Windsor, K. Mahon, & S. Kemmis (Eds.), Living well in a world worth living in for all: Volume 1: Current practices of social justice, sustainability and wellbeing (pp. xx–xx). Springer Nature.

Kitooke, A. (2021). The expulsion of pregnant students in Uganda: Teacher perspectives on a contravention of “Education for All.” Education Inquiry, 12(4), 369–387.

Kaya, J., & Kitooke, A. (2021). Critical literacy in Uganda and Congo: The urgency of decolonizing curricula. In J. Z. Pandya, R. A. Mora, J. H. Alford, N. A. Golden, & R. S. De Roock (Eds.), The handbook of critical literacies (pp. 297–304). Routledge.