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.

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.

Dr. Adeola Adejayan | Financial Management | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Adeola Adejayan, EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY, Nigeria

Dr. Adejayan Adeola Oluwakemi is a distinguished Lecturer I in the Department of Finance at Ekiti State University, Nigeria, with over a decade of academic prowess. She earned her Ph.D. in Finance, complemented by First‑Class honours in Banking and Finance. A proud member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Dr. Oluwakemi excels in teaching corporate finance, financial markets, and risk management. Currently, she is enriching her expertise as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of KwaZulu‑Natal, South Africa, where her focus lies in green finance and sustainable financial practices. Her dedication to academia is reflected in her supervision of numerous undergraduate projects and consistent publication record in peer‑reviewed journals.

Profile 👩‍🏫

Googlescholar

Education 🎓

Dr. Oluwakemi holds a Ph.D. in Finance with insightful research in corporate and sustainable finance. She graduated with First‑Class honours in her undergraduate and postgraduate Banking and Finance degrees. Her commitment to continuous learning is demonstrated through advanced coursework and professional certifications, especially as part of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria. Furthering her scholarly journey, she is currently pursuing postdoctoral work at the University of KwaZulu‑Natal in South Africa. There, she deepens her knowledge in green financial systems and sustainability, reflecting a lifelong pursuit of academic excellence and a strong foundation in both theory and application.

Experience 💼

With over ten years of teaching experience, Dr. Oluwakemi has held the position of Lecturer I at Ekiti State University, Nigeria. She has delivered courses in corporate finance, financial markets, and risk management, mentoring a substantial number of undergraduate students. Additionally, she serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of KwaZulu‑Natal, South Africa, where she engages in research on green finance and sustainable financial practices. Beyond academia, she has collaborated on consultancy and industry-focused projects, leveraging her expertise in banking, finance, and policy impact. Her academic and professional journey shines through in transparent supervision, impactful mentorship, and meaningful cross-border collaborations.

Research Interest 🔍

Dr. Oluwakemi focuses her research on international finance, financial sector development, and sustainability finance. As a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of KwaZulu‑Natal, she investigates green finance, environmental accounting, and sustainable financial systems. Her collaborations span Nigeria and South Africa, exploring areas like financial inclusion, macroeconomic stability, and capital market development. She integrates empirical research with interdisciplinary approaches to tackle pressing challenges in emerging economies. Her recent work includes examining exchange rate dynamics, corporate capital structure, and risk management, always with a focus on actionable insights for policy, sustainability, and institutional development.

Awards 🏆

Dr. Oluwakemi’s scholarly work has earned recognition through multiple research grants and academic accolades. With over 58 citations, an h‑index of 3, and an i10‑index of 3, she has established a notable academic footprint. Her award preferences include the ‘Best Researcher Award’, reflecting her dedication to producing novel and impactful research. She has been acknowledged for contributions in green finance and sustainable investment practices, demonstrating excellence in both teaching and research. Her professional memberships, such as with the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, further attest to her commitment to quality and professional integrity in the field of finance.