Weliswa Matekenya | Quantitative Social Science Research | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Weliswa Matekenya | Quantitative Social Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Nelson Mandela University | South Africa

Dr. Weliswa Matekenya is a seasoned Senior Lecturer in Economics at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), South Africa. With a profound dedication to research and academic excellence, she has established herself as a specialist in Maritime, Development, and Environmental Economics. Her scholarly contributions are evident in her extensive publication record, research consultancy experience, and active participation in national and international academic forums. Recognized as an emerging leader in economic research, Dr. Matekenya has garnered prestigious awards and research grants, reflecting her impact in shaping economic discourse in South Africa and beyond.

Professional Profile

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Education

Dr. Matekenya earned her PhD in Economics from Nelson Mandela University, where her doctoral thesis explored the macroeconomic impact of ocean economy financing in South Africa. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Fort Hare, where she researched the effect of oil price volatility on South Africa’s economic growth. Her academic journey also includes a Bachelor of Honours in Economics and a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management and Economics, both from the University of Fort Hare. Her educational background has laid a strong foundation for her multifaceted research and teaching interests in economics.

Professional Experience

Dr. Matekenya currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at NMU’s Department of Economics, a position she has held since 2018. In this role, she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules including Environmental Economics, Development Economics, Econometrics, Public Economics, and Microeconomics. She has also served in several leadership capacities, such as Acting Head of Department and Chairperson of the Departmental Research Management Committee. She coordinates PhD and Master’s programs and actively contributes to curriculum development and ethics review panels.

Before joining NMU, she worked as a Research Consultant at Masutane Research Company, where she led data-driven projects, designed research methodologies, and conducted field studies. Her previous roles include lecturing positions at Educor and the University of Fort Hare, as well as serving as a Research Assistant in the Presidency of South Africa. Across these roles, she has gained valuable expertise in academic program coordination, research supervision, and policy analysis.

Research Interests

Dr. Matekenya’s research interests lie primarily in Maritime Economics, Development Economics, and Environmental Economics. She is particularly engaged in exploring the socio-economic dimensions of port infrastructure, ocean economy financing, and sustainable development strategies in coastal regions. Her recent projects include assessing the economic impact of seaports in South African regional economies and investigating the technical efficiency of ports in the SACU region using data envelopment analysis. She also focuses on topics such as climate change, foreign direct investment, financial inclusion, and SMME innovation.

Her involvement in international collaborative projects, such as those with UNU-WIDER under the SA-TIED initiative, has allowed her to explore transnational economic themes, including the role of Special Economic Zones in regional development. Her research integrates quantitative methodologies, including cointegration analysis and regression modeling, with policy-oriented perspectives, making her work both academically rigorous and practically relevant.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Matekenya has received several accolades that recognize her contributions to economic research and academic development. She was awarded the Emerging Researcher of the Year in 2022, affirming her position as a leading early-career researcher. She has also been a recipient of the Thuthuka Grant (2024–2026) for her project on the socio-economic impact of South African seaports. Additionally, she participated in the Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP) from 2020 to 2021, supporting the development of underrepresented scholars in academia.

Her active engagement in the academic community extends to international speaking engagements, such as the World Conference on Climate Change in Prague and panel discussions at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in India. Dr. Matekenya also serves as a peer reviewer for several journals, including the Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies and the Journal of Shipping and Trade, and she holds an editorial position with the latter.

In sum, Dr. Weliswa Matekenya exemplifies scholarly leadership through her teaching, research, and engagement with economic development at local, national, and global levels. Her academic journey, underpinned by a solid educational foundation and a commitment to impactful research, positions her as an influential voice in shaping Africa’s sustainable economic future.

Publications

Impact of financing aquaculture on selected economic indicators in South Africa: cointegration approach

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Ronney Ncwadi
Journal: Journal of Applied Aquaculture
Year: 2024

The impact of maritime transport financing on total trade in South Africa

Authors: W. Matekenya; R. Ncwadi
Journal: Journal of Shipping and Trade
Year: 2022

Innovation as a driver of SMME performance in South Africa: a quantile regression approach

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Clement Moyo
Journal: African Journal of Economic and Management Studies
Year: 2022

Financial inclusion and human development: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors: Weliswa Matekenya; Clement Moyo; Leward Jeke
Journal: Development Southern Africa
Year: 2021

Firm and product survival analysis: Evidence from South African tax administrative and products data

Authors: Syden Mishi; Weliswa Matekenya; Leward Jeke; Ronney Ncwadi; Roseline Karambakuwa
Journal: WIDER Working Paper
Year: 2021

Sara Yasin | Economics and Pollution | Young Scientist Award

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Ms. Sara Yasin, Economics and Pollution, Young Scientist Award

Doctorate at University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Professional Profile:

Scopus Profile
Google Scholar Profile

Summary:

Ms. Sara Yasin Experienced Graduate Researcher at RHISS Institute, University of Sharjah, with a solid background in tax auditing and accounting. Adept at conducting comprehensive literature reviews, leading data collection and analysis, and publishing research in reputable journals. Proven leadership in professional organizations, with a strong academic track record, including an MBA and BS in Business Administration, both with a perfect GPA. Skilled in using advanced financial and research tools, and passionate about sustainability, financial inclusion, and educational technologies. Fluent in Arabic and English.

👩‍🎓Education:

Ms. Sara Yasin holds an MBA in Management and Business Administration from the University of Sharjah, where she maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA and was awarded the Graduate Research Scholarship and placed on the Dean’s Honors List. She also earned a BS in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting from Al Dar University College, Dubai, achieving a 4.0 GPA. During her undergraduate studies, she was recognized on the Dean’s Honors List, participated in the High Achievers Program, and received a CMA scholarship sponsored by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

Professional Experience:

With a diverse background spanning research, tax auditing, and accounting, Sara Hussein Yasin brings a wealth of expertise to her professional roles. As a Graduate Researcher at the University of Sharjah’s RHISS Institute, she leads interdisciplinary research projects, conducts comprehensive literature reviews, and publishes articles in reputable journals. Sara’s tenure at Tayseer Tax Agency in Dubai saw her excel as both a Tax Auditor and Assistant Accountant. In her role as Tax Auditor, she managed audits of individual and corporate tax returns, ensuring compliance with UAE tax laws, while also staying abreast of regulatory changes. Her contributions extended to supporting operational initiatives, conducting client research, and providing training to team members. As an Assistant Accountant, Sara demonstrated meticulous attention to detail in financial record maintenance, close presentations, and compliance activities. Her versatile skill set, coupled with her dedication to excellence, has consistently earned her the trust and respect of colleagues and stakeholders alike.

Research Interest :

Ms. Sara Yasin research interests encompass a wide range of topics at the intersection of economics, finance, and sustainability. She is particularly passionate about exploring the role of economic complexity and uncertainty in environmental degradation and the potential for leveraging remittances to combat these challenges. Additionally, Sara is invested in studying financial inclusion in the MENA region, investigating factors that affect trust and verify mechanisms within financial systems. Her curiosity extends to emerging technologies such as the metaverse and their impact on supply chain effectiveness, as well as the integration of educational technologies in learning environments. Through her research endeavors, Sara aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and promote innovative solutions to complex societal issues.

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