Huiyuan Ye |  Educational Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Huiyuan Ye |  Educational Data Analysis | Best Researcher Award

Shanghai Jian Qiao University | China

Dr. Huiyuan Ye is a distinguished scholar in higher education management and sustainable development. Holding a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Pittsburgh (2017) and prior degrees in English Literature from Shanghai International Studies University (M.A. 2009; B.A. 2006), he has held academic, research, and administrative roles at institutions including the University of Pittsburgh, Southern New Hampshire University, Duke Kunshan University, and currently Shanghai Jian Qiao University, where he serves as Vice Dean for Research and Faculty Director of the Research Center for Sustainable Development of Foreign Language Education. His research, published in SSCI Q1 journals, focuses on liberal arts and sciences education, global higher education, and embedding UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) agenda into foreign language curricula. He has contributed to 11 scholarly documents, cited 140 times, and maintains an h‑index of 6. Dr. Ye’s work emphasizes interdisciplinary pedagogy, competency‑based education, workforce insights, and sustainable development strategies. Recognized with awards such as the “Great Educator of the New Age” nomination by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, he has collaborated with international organizations including UNESCO, USAID, and Lumina Foundation. Through research, curriculum innovation, and international engagement, Dr. Ye continues to advance higher education reform and comparative education scholarship, bridging theory and practice in East Asian and global contexts.

Profiles : Scopus | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Ye, H. (2024). Interdisciplinary mobility: An approach to measuring interdisciplinary learning outcomes by using curricular checkpoints. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print).

Ye, H. (2024). Setting off the dominoes: A theory of change for scaled interdisciplinarity at a Sino-American joint-venture liberal arts and sciences University in China. Asia Pacific Education Review.

Wang, X., Xiong, W., & Ye, H. (2023). Chinese Doctoral Students’ Perceptions of Employability in the United States: Cultivating Preparedness for a Challenging World. In T. Brown (Ed.), Graduate Students at Work: Exploited Scholars of Neoliberal Higher Education (Rethinking Careers, Rethinking Academia). University Press of Kansas

Mok, K.-H., Xiong, W., & Ye, H. (2021). COVID-19 Crisis and Challenges for Graduate Employment in Taiwan, Mainland China, and East Asia: A Critical Review of Skills Preparing Students for Uncertain Futures. Journal of Education and Work.

Wang, X., Jacob, W. J., Blakesley, C. C., Xiong, W., Ye, H., Xu, S., & Lu, F. (2020). Optimal Professional Development ICT Training Initiatives at Flagship Universities. Education and Information Technology.

Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani | Machine Learning and AI Applications | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani | Machine Learning and AI Applications | Best Researcher Award

Birmingham City University | United Kingdom

Dr. Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in Business Management at Birmingham City University, United Kingdom, with extensive academic and professional experience spanning the UK, UAE, and beyond. With more than nine years of teaching, research, and leadership roles in higher education, he has established himself as a scholar-practitioner dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship, leadership, strategy, and innovation studies. His contributions extend across academic leadership, programme development, international collaborations, and impactful research in sustainable business practices, digital transformation, and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Professional Profiles

Scopus
Orcid

Education

Dr. Gilani holds a Ph.D. in Rural Entrepreneurship and Technology from Glasgow Caledonian University, where his doctoral research focused on the drivers and barriers of broadband adoption among food and drink micro-businesses in remote-rural Scotland. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education (EdD) at the University of Glasgow, enhancing his expertise in educational innovation and leadership. His academic journey also includes an MSc in Corporate Strategy and Finance from Edinburgh Napier University, where he graduated with distinction and earned a best dissertation award, and a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from Heriot Watt University. Additionally, he has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Research (PGCR), a Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE), and holds a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, reflecting his strong foundation in pedagogy and research methodologies.

Experience

Over his career, Dr. Gilani has held prominent teaching and leadership positions at leading institutions including Birmingham City University, Canadian University Dubai, De Montfort University Dubai, Westford University College, Aston Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Glasgow. He has successfully led undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes, including serving as Programme Leader for the BA Business Management course, DBA supervisor, and PhD coordinator. His leadership experience also extends beyond academia, where he has managed international partnerships, directed faculty teams, and mentored junior academics toward achieving professional fellowships and research success. His professional roles have also included founding and managing enterprises, which provides him with a practical perspective that enriches his teaching and research in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Research Interests

Dr. Gilani’s research lies at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, rural development, and digital transformation. He is particularly interested in the role of technology adoption—especially broadband and machine learning—in supporting rural businesses and micro-enterprises. His studies explore sustainable leadership, the impact of digitalisation on small business ecosystems, gender in management, and strategic innovation in both developed and developing economies. He has authored more than 60 publications, including 19 Scopus-indexed papers, book chapters, and case studies. His work has been published in high-ranking journals such as Sustainability, Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Discover Sustainability, and Industry and Higher Education. In addition, his editorial and peer-review contributions to leading journals further strengthen his standing as an engaged scholar in business and management studies.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Gilani’s scholarly contributions have earned him recognition at international conferences, where he has received best paper awards, delivered keynote addresses, and contributed to global discussions on innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. He has been formally recognised as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), a Chartered Manager of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), and a Certified Management and Business Educator (CMBE). These achievements highlight his commitment to academic excellence, leadership in education, and impactful research. His innovative work has also led to collaborations with industry partners, fostering university-industry linkages and providing students opportunities to transform their ideas into practice.

Publications

Kenji, I., Gilani, S.A., Tantry, A., Khan, F., Mulla, T., Askri, S., Handhi, S., & Armosh, F. (2025). An investigation into the effects of Dundee’s cultural and economic revitalization on independent food enterprises. In [Book Title] (pp. xx–xx).

Gilani, S.A.M., Gernal, L., Sergio, R., Tantry, A., Duncan, P., & Smith, A. (2025). Exploring broadband adoption amongst rural businesses: A review of the literature.  (pp. xx–xx).

Gilani, S.A.M., Hashim, M.A.M., Copacio, A., Sergio, R., Tlemsani, I., & Tantry, A. (2025). The impact of COVID-19 on the diffusion of machine learning amongst rural farms: A study of Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. Sustainable Futures, 7, 101291.

Gilani, S.A.M., Tantry, A., Kenji, I., Li, X., & Gilani, A. (2025). A journey into BJJ 24/7’s success in the United Kingdom. In [Book Title] (pp. xx–xx). IGI Global.

Gilani, S.A.M., Tantry, A., Tiemo, H.T., Gilani, A., & Dos Santos, L.J.M. (2025). Grappling with societal norms in Pakistan. In [Book Title] (pp. xx–xx). IGI Global.

Joshi, A., Askri, S., Tantry, A., Gilani, S.A.M., Armosh, F., Peel, R., Tiemo, T.H., & Iqbal, N. (2025). Advancing the digital economy. In [Book Title] (pp. xx–xx). IGI Global.

Conclusion

Dr. Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani embodies the qualities of a dynamic academic leader, researcher, and educator with a global outlook. His career reflects a unique blend of scholarly depth, pedagogical excellence, and practical business experience, which together contribute to shaping the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs. His work continues to bridge academia and industry, while his contributions to research and teaching reinforce his role as a key voice in the fields of entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable business management.