Zebo Kuldasheva | Economic Growth | Women Researcher Award

Dr. Zebo Kuldasheva | Economic Growth | Women Researcher Award 

Associate Professor at Tashkent State University of Economics | Uzbekistan 

Dr. Zebo Kuldasheva is an accomplished economist and academic professional from Uzbekistan, recognized for her contributions to international economic development, regional trade analysis, and sustainable growth studies. She currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Tashkent State University of Economics and as a Visiting Scholar at Gonzaga University in the United States. Her academic journey has been marked by excellence, earning a Doctor of Science in Economics and a Ph.D. in Regional Economics from Wuhan University, where her research explored the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on Central Asian trade and economic growth. Throughout her career, Dr. Kuldasheva has demonstrated a strong commitment to education, research, and international collaboration. She has taught a range of economics courses and supervised numerous graduate students whose research achievements have gained recognition in international competitions. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes fostering analytical thinking and global awareness among students through interactive learning, research engagement, and exposure to international academic environments. Dr. Kuldasheva has held academic positions at renowned institutions such as the London School of Economics ISEF Foundation and Universities Pendidikan Indonesia in Tashkent, where she played key roles in curriculum development, academic coordination, and cross-cultural program facilitation. Her earlier professional experiences include serving as a People and Cultural Advisor at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in China, where she promoted intercultural understanding through educational and cultural initiatives.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | Linked In | ResearchGate 

Featured Publications :

Ma, Q., Mentel, G., Zhao, X., Salahodjaev, R., & Kuldasheva, Z. (2022). Natural resources tax volatility and economic performance: Evaluating the role of digital economy. Resources Policy, 75, 102510.

Tufail, M., Song, L., Umut, A., Ismailova, N., & Kuldasheva, Z. (2022). Does financial inclusion promote a green economic system? Evaluating the role of energy efficiency. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 35(1), 6780–6800.

Huang, Y., Kuldasheva, Z., Bobojanov, S., Djalilov, B., Salahodjaev, R., & others. (2023). Exploring the links between fossil fuel energy consumption, industrial value-added, and carbon emissions in G20 countries. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(4), 10854–10866.

Huang, Y., Kuldasheva, Z., & Salahodjaev, R. (2021). Renewable energy and CO₂ emissions: Empirical evidence from major energy-consuming countries. Energies, 14(22), 7504.

Balbaa, M., Ismailova, N., & Kuldasheva, Z. (2021). The impact of innovation and digitalization on service sector at post-pandemic era. In Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Future Networks and Distributed Systems (ICFNDS 2021) (pp. 1–7). ACM.

Vyta Hanifah | rural and economics development | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Vyta Hanifah – rural and economics development – Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Vyta’s research aligns exceptionally well with the Best Researcher Award or Excellence in Research for Social Impact Award categories. Her work embodies the principles of innovation, inclusivity, sustainability, and policy relevance, making her a prime candidate whose contributions extend beyond academia into tangible improvements in livelihoods and development practices.

 University of Adelaide | Indonesia

Profile
Orcid
Scopus

Scholar

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Vyta W. Hanifah embarked on her academic journey with a keen interest in agricultural development and rural economics. She earned her Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University) in Indonesia, where she developed foundational expertise in agriculture and rural livelihoods. This early education inspired her to explore global perspectives, leading to a Master of Science (MSc) degree from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. Her master’s studies sharpened her analytical capabilities in agricultural economics, development policy, and gender inclusion, preparing her for an impactful career in both national and international development contexts.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Vyta W. Hanifah has built a remarkable career spanning government agencies, international development organizations, and academic institutions. She currently serves as a Researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia, where she contributes to evidence-based policy development and program evaluation in agricultural sectors. Her professional experience includes impactful roles in World Bank-funded projects, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and collaborative research supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Through these roles, Vyta has contributed to strategic initiatives aimed at improving rural livelihoods, developing extension models, and promoting gender-inclusive development in Indonesia.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on rural and economics development

Vyta W. Hanifah’s research is distinguished by its interdisciplinary scope, combining agricultural economics, gender studies, and rural development. Her current PhD thesis investigates women’s empowerment and agricultural extension in dairy farming, a timely topic that addresses gender disparities in agricultural access and decision-making.

She has successfully contributed to or led eight significant research projects, including:

  1. IndoDairy Project (2017–2020): Evaluated and piloted innovative extension models to improve smallholder profitability.

  2. ADB-funded projects with PT Cisarua Mountain Dairy (2021–2023): Focused on gender empowerment through training in dairy farming and financial literacy.

  3. SMARTD Project (2016–2019): Promoted sustainable management and dissemination of agricultural technologies across Indonesia.

  4. Straw-Cow Project (2009–2013): Improved reproductive performance in cattle for low-input systems.

  5. SEZ Impact Assessment in Kendal Regency (2022): Examined regional economic policy impacts.

  6. FEATI and SADI Projects: Strengthened farmer empowerment through information systems and agribusiness development.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

While still in the early stages of her academic career, Vyta has received international recognition for her policy-relevant research and developmental impact. Her involvement with institutions such as ACIAR, the World Bank, and ADB reflects the high level of trust and respect she commands in the development community. Her research projects have been cited in national development strategies, and she continues to be a valued contributor to collaborative research networks in Australia and Indonesia.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Vyta W. Hanifah’s work has had a profound impact on rural development practices, gender-sensitive extension services, and public policy frameworks in Indonesia. Her contributions to designing gender-responsive training modules for dairy farmers have enabled more inclusive participation in agricultural economies. By using participatory approaches and focusing on empirical, data-driven methods, Vyta bridges the gap between field realities and national policy formulation. Her ability to synthesize grassroots experiences into meaningful policy insights is a rare and valuable skill that enhances the relevance and sustainability of development initiatives.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Vyta’s academic and professional journey is defined by her passion for inclusive and sustainable agriculture. As she advances in her doctoral studies at the University of Adelaide, her work is expected to influence the design of gender-responsive agricultural extension systems not just in Indonesia, but globally.

Her research interests will likely continue to focus on:

  • Women’s agency in rural economies

  • Agricultural innovation and productivity

  • Sustainable development policy

  • Evidence-based gender programming

Conclusion

Vyta W. Hanifah is a rising thought leader in the field of agricultural economics and gender-inclusive development. With a robust educational background, extensive fieldwork experience, and a passion for impactful research, she continues to shape the future of sustainable agriculture in Indonesia and beyond. Her journey from IPB University to the University of Adelaide, with significant contributions in World Bank and ACIAR-funded projects, reflects a career built on excellence, empathy, and innovation. Vyta’s vision of empowering rural women and transforming agricultural systems holds immense promise for global development agendas in the years to come.

📚Publications

Does a special economic zone impact the surrounding economy? The case study of Kendal, Indonesia

 Authors:  Irwanda Wisnu Wardhana; Indri Riesfandiari; Erizal Jamal; Vyta W. Hanifah; Pihri Pihri; Felix Wisnu Handoyo; Nugroho Purwono; Rizky Prayogo Ramadhan; Budhi Setyawan; Michal Placek et al.

Journals: Humanities and Social Sciences Communications

Farmers’ knowledge and practice regarding good agricultural practices (GAP) on safe pesticide usage in Indonesia

Authors: Istriningsih; Yovita Anggita Dewi; Astrina Yulianti; Vyta W. Hanifah; Erizal Jamal; Dadang; Muhrizal Sarwani; Maesti Mardiharini; Iwan Setiajie Anugrah; Valeriana Darwis et al.

Journals: Heliyon

Saluran Komunikasi Lembaga Riset Publik dalam Penyiapan Teknologi Peternakan Mendukung Pengembangan Subsistem Agribisnis Hulu

Authors:  Vyta W. Hanifah; Istriningsih Istriningsih; Yovita Anggita Dewi

Journals: Jurnal Ternak