Wei Zhang | Government and Public Policy Analysis | Global Data Innovation Recognition Award

Prof. Dr. Wei Zhang | Government and Public Policy Analysis | Global Data Innovation Recognition Award

Zhejiang University | China

Prof. Dr. Wei Zhang is a distinguished scholar in engineering education and public policy, serving as Professor at the School of Public Affairs of Zhejiang University, Associate Director of the university’s Research Center on Engineering Education Innovation, and Deputy Secretary General of the Chinese Society for Engineering Education. Since 2002, he has focused on advancing engineering education reform in China, contributing as a consultant to the Ministry of Education’s Department of Comprehensive Reform, where he has supported institutional restructuring and the development of Emerging Engineering Education (3E). His research centers on engineering education policy, interdisciplinary organizational innovation, and teaching reform, leading to more than 100 academic papers and five monographs. His influential work includes models such as the learning-science–driven engineering education framework and intelligent social engineering education model, which have significantly shaped China’s strategic direction in engineering education transformation. His achievements have been widely recognized, earning him the first prize of the Zhejiang Higher Education Research Achievement Award in 2010, second prizes of Zhejiang Philosophy and Social Sciences Outstanding Achievement Awards in 2012 and 2014, and the special prize of the Zhejiang Higher Education Teaching Award in 2022. His scholarship continues to shape policy discourse and practice in modern engineering education.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publication

Wang, C., Jesiek, B., & Zhang, W. (2024). Elevating international collaboration and academic outcomes through strategic research funding: a bibliometric analysis of China Scholarship Council funded publications. Scientometrics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-024-05054-8

Friday Benedict | Predictive Analytics | Worldwide Research and Innovation Data Excellence Award

Mr. Friday Benedict | Predictive Analytics | Worldwide Research and Innovation Data Excellence Award

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria | Nigeria

Benedict Friday is a dedicated chemist and educator whose academic and professional journey reflects a strong commitment to scientific advancement, teaching excellence, and community impact. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Physical Chemistry at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he also completed a Professional Diploma in Education after earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Second Class Upper Division from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. His experience spans teaching roles at secondary schools and part-time laboratory demonstration at the university level, where he supports undergraduate practical sessions in Chemistry. Beyond academia, he has gained administrative and organizational experience working as a Fleet Officer in the transport division of a major cement company, as well as field experience in telecommunications marketing and water treatment laboratory operations. His research interests include physical chemistry, environmental chemistry, water quality analysis, and material science. Known for teamwork, communication skills, creativity, and leadership, he continues to develop professionally through teaching, research, and community engagement. He remains committed to contributing innovative solutions to scientific and educational challenges while advancing knowledge in the chemical sciences.

Profile : Orcid

Featured Publication

Design and screening of novel geniposide derivatives as xanthine oxidase inhibitors for hyperuricemia treatment using QSAR, Molecular docking, Molecular dynamics simulation, ADMET, and DFT Approaches, 2025.

Frédéric Ouattara | Spatial Data Interpretation | Excellence in Research

Prof. Dr. Frédéric Ouattara | Spatial Data Interpretation | Excellence in Research

Université Norbert Zongo | Burkina Faso

Professor Frédéric Ouattara is a distinguished full professor of physics, specialising in heliophysics, thermodynamics, space weather and geophysics. He holds a Doctorat d’État in Physics-Geophysics-Heliophysics (2009) and a previous PhD in Geophysics (option Solar Energy, 1998), complemented with a Master in History, Philosophy and Didactics of Sciences (2005) and a Diploma of Advanced Studies in Physics (1994). He has served in major academic and administrative roles, including Vice-President in charge of Teaching and Pedagogic Innovation, then President of Université Norbert Zongo (2019-2022), and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (March–September 2022) in Burkina Faso. In research, he leads the Burkina Faso satellite programme (BurkinaSat-1) and initiated the national space agency, while directing the Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Space Physics and Energetic (LAREME).  His scholarly output includes around one hundred scientific publications. He has been honoured with the African Prize for Excellence in Space Physics Research (American Geophysical Union, 2018). Although a precise current h-index 11, publications 28 , citations 590, his research reputation is significant in the West-African region. With primary interests in solar–terrestrial coupling, ionospheric variability and space weather over equatorial Africa, he bridges scientific research, space technology and higher-education leadership. As a conclusion, Prof. Ouattara exemplifies the synthesis of academic excellence, leadership in space science and institutional innovation, having positioned his country on the frontier of African space research and education.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid

Featured Publications

Segda, A. K., Kaboré, S., Zoundi, C., Ouattara, F., & De Santis, A. (2025). Analysis of the variability of diurnal profiles of critical foF2 frequencies in the light of solar radiation. International Journal of Geophysics.

Guibula, K., Ouédraogo, P., Kaboré, S., Ouattara, F., Fleury, R., & Potirakis, S. M. (2025). Performance evaluation of the ionospheric models AfriTEC and NeQuick 2 at the BF01 station in Ouagadougou between 2013 and 2021. International Journal of Geophysics.

Bazié, N., Kaboré, S., Guibula, K., Ouattara, F., & Panda, S. K. (2025). Response of the magnetospheric convection electric field (MCEF) to geomagnetic storms during the solar cycle 24 maximum phase. International Journal of Geophysics.

Sawadogo, S., Gnabahou, D. A., Pahima, T., & Ouattara, F. (2024). Solar activity: Towards a standard classification of solar phases from cycle 1 to cycle 24. Advances in Space Research, 74(1).

Sawadogo, S., Gnabahou, D. A., Sandwidi, S. A., & Ouattara, F. (2023). Koudougou (Burkina Faso, Africa), GPS-TEC response to recurrent geomagnetic storms during solar cycle 24 declining phase. International Journal of Geophysics.