Aneetha Sukhari | Augmented reality | Excellence in Innovation

Dr. Aneetha Sukhari – Augmented reality – Excellence in Innovation

Alignment with Award Category

Dr. Sukhari’s body of work exemplifies excellence in educational innovation, research development, and leadership in transformation initiatives. Her interdisciplinary approach aligns well with the Best Researcher Award or Excellence in Educational Innovation Award categories, reflecting her dedication to impactful and sustainable academic advancement.

 University of South Africa | South Africa

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🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Dr. Aneetha Sukhari, based in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, is an accomplished academic in the field of accounting sciences with a strong foundation built through years of rigorous education and dedication. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2002. She then advanced to earn a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences (Honours) at the University of South Africa in 2005, setting the groundwork for her journey toward becoming a chartered accountant. Dr. Sukhari’s academic commitment is evidenced by her successful completion of both Part 1 and Part 2 of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants’ (SAICA) Qualifying Examinations in 2009 and 2010, respectively. She later pursued her Master’s in Accounting Sciences at the University of Pretoria, completing a thesis titled “The influence of integrated reporting on business model and strategy disclosure.” This academic ascent culminated in a Ph.D. in Accounting and 4IR from the University of Johannesburg in 2024. Her doctoral research focused on the value relevance of business model disclosure and 4IR disclosures in integrated reports.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at the University of South Africa (UNISA) since 2014, Dr. Aneetha Sukhari is a respected educator within the College of Accounting Sciences, specifically the Department of Auditing. She is entrusted with responsibility for undergraduate auditing modules and has made immense contributions in areas including study material development, quality assurance, and student mentorship. Dr. Sukhari’s career journey includes her earlier roles as a Technical Specialist at the Auditor General of South Africa (2009–2014) and as a Trainee Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (2005–2009). At PwC, she managed a portfolio of high-profile clients such as Eskom and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, gaining invaluable audit and consulting experience.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Augmented reality

Dr. Sukhari is not only a passionate educator but also an active researcher. Her primary research interests span topics such as Africanisation and decolonisation of accounting curriculum, artificial intelligence in the public sector, natural language processing, and the role of UN Sustainable Development Goals in Africa. She has published impactful works, including: “The value relevance of digitalization disclosure in integrated reports” (IJDAR, 2023), “The influence of integrated reporting on business model and strategy disclosures” (Australian Accounting Review, 2018). Her research extends to AI applications in education and accounting, particularly through natural language processing techniques, demonstrating her forward-thinking approach.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Dr. Sukhari’s scholarly excellence has been recognized through several prestigious awards, including: The College of Accounting Science Research Award for completing her master’s degree in 2019, The same award for her first journal publication in 2020. She has also secured Academic Qualification Improvement Program (AQIP) research grants totaling R3.9 million between 2016 and 2022, supporting her academic advancement and impactful research.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Dr. Sukhari has influenced the South African academic and audit landscape through her work on national committees such as: Africanisation, Decolonisation and Curriculum Transformation Committee, Audit Development Committee of the IRBA, AI-Infused Module Design Sub-Committee, And the Students with Disabilities Committee at UNISA. Her supervision of master’s students and contributions to editorial boards such as the Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change underscore her commitment to mentoring future leaders and shaping the discipline’s direction.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

With a focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), artificial intelligence, and educational transformation, Dr. Sukhari is laying the groundwork for a future-ready accounting curriculum. Her involvement in curriculum design, AI research, and public sector innovation aims to build a robust, inclusive, and technologically aligned professional ecosystem. Her future contributions will likely include expanded use of AI in audit education, enhanced policy engagement, and deeper pan-African academic collaboration. As a member of numerous academic and professional bodies, including SAICA and IRBA, she remains a significant voice in shaping the evolution of accounting education and practice in South Africa.

Conclusion

In summary, Dr. Aneetha Sukhari is a dynamic and visionary leader whose academic, professional, and research contributions span multiple spheres of influence. Fluent in English and equipped with a Code 08 driver’s license, she brings analytical depth, strategic insight, and a collaborative spirit to every endeavor. Her contact details — Cell: 0823471001 and Email: aneetha.sukhari@gmail.com — reflect her openness to professional engagement and collaboration. As she continues to explore the intersections of accounting, education, and technology, Dr. Sukhari is poised to leave an enduring mark on the academic and professional landscapes of South Africa and beyond.

📚Publications

Teaching accounting principles using augmented reality and artificial intelligence-generated IsiZulu language translations

 Authors: Abejide Ade-Ibijola; Aneetha Sukhari; Solomon Sunday Oyelere

Journals: International Journal of Educational Research Open

The value relevance of digitalization disclosure in integrated reports: A South African perspective

Authors: Aneetha Sukhari; Ade-ibijola, A; Coetsee, D

Journals: The International Journal of Digital Accounting Research

The Influence of Integrated Reporting on Business Model and Strategy Disclosures

Authors: Sukhari, A.; de Villiers, C.

Journals: Australian Accounting Review

Zulfiqar Ali Jumani | Technology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Jumani  –  Technology  –  Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Jumani’s research contributions, industry experience, and academic influence align well with the Best Researcher Award. His ability to combine theoretical knowledge with practical applications makes him a strong candidate for recognition in research excellence.

Faculty of Business Administration and Accountancy | Thailand

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🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Jumani, Ph.D., MBA (Mkt), BS (I.T), has a distinguished academic background that has laid a strong foundation for his research and professional endeavors. His educational journey demonstrates a commitment to knowledge, innovation, and interdisciplinary learning. With an undergraduate degree in Information Technology, followed by an MBA in Marketing, he developed a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen. This diverse educational foundation prepared him for his Ph.D., where he explored the intricacies of consumer behavior, specifically in the context of Islamic brands. His dissertation, “Development of a Model: Identifying Buying Behavioral Intentions of the Islamic Brands and Islamic Brands Attitude among Muslims of Thailand and Malaysia,” reflects his keen interest in the intersection of marketing, consumer behavior, and religious identity.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Jumani, Ph.D., MBA (Mkt), BS (I.T), has a distinguished academic background that has laid a strong foundation for his research and professional endeavors. His educational journey demonstrates a commitment to knowledge, innovation, and interdisciplinary learning. With an undergraduate degree in Information Technology, followed by an MBA in Marketing, he developed a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen. This diverse educational foundation prepared him for his Ph.D., where he explored the intricacies of consumer behavior, specifically in the context of Islamic brands. His dissertation, “Development of a Model: Identifying Buying Behavioral Intentions of the Islamic Brands and Islamic Brands Attitude among Muslims of Thailand and Malaysia,” reflects his keen interest in the intersection of marketing, consumer behavior, and religious identity.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Technology

Dr. Jumani’s research primarily revolves around Islamic branding, halal consumer behavior, and marketing strategies within diverse religious contexts. His extensive publication record includes high-impact articles in the Journal of Islamic Marketing, where he has explored topics such as the influence of Islamic brand attitudes on consumer behavior, the importance of halal certification, and cross-cultural studies on halal-friendly attributes.

He has co-authored numerous research papers that examine halal marketing dynamics, including:

  • “Identifying the Important Attitude of Islamic Brands and Its Effect on Buying Behavioral Intentions among Malaysian Muslims” (2021)
  • “Behavioral Intentions of Different Religions: Purchasing Halal Logo Products at Convenience Stores in Hatyai” (2020)
  • “Islamic Brands Attitudes and Its Consumption Behavior among Non-Muslim Residents of Thailand” (2021)

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Dr. Jumani has been recognized for his scholarly contributions through various roles as a keynote speaker and conference chair. He delivered keynote speeches at the UUM-PSU International Doctoral Symposium (2022) and the USM Indonesia International Conference (2023), focusing on Islamic finance and halal industry trends. His participation in international conferences, such as the Asian Academic Society International Conference and the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research, further showcases his academic influence.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Dr. Jumani’s research has significant implications for the halal industry and Islamic branding. His findings contribute to understanding consumer behavior in diverse cultural settings, influencing marketing strategies for halal products worldwide. His work also extends to tourism, particularly in exploring halal-friendly attributes and Muslim consumer preferences in non-Islamic destinations.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

With ongoing research projects and collaborations, Dr. Jumani continues to expand his impact in the academic and corporate spheres. His current projects include: “Halal-Friendly Attributes: A Comparative Study of Different Genders’ Intentions to Embark on Non-Islamic Destinations.” “University Entrepreneurial Support and Green Entrepreneurial Behavior: A Quantitative Serial-Mediation Study.” “Development of a Gastronomy City: A Case Study of Thailand.” His commitment to research and academia is evident in his role as a visiting scholar at Phuket Rajabhat University and his involvement in research grants and book chapters. His contributions to the field of Islamic marketing and consumer behavior are expected to influence future research and industry practices.

 

Conclusion

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Jumani’s journey from academia to industry and back to research exemplifies his dedication to advancing knowledge in Islamic marketing and halal consumer behavior. His interdisciplinary expertise, prolific research output, and influential teaching make him a vital contributor to the field. As he continues to explore new dimensions of halal branding and consumer psychology, his work will remain crucial in shaping the future of Islamic marketing and related disciplines.

📚Publications

Halal-friendly attributes: a comparative study of different Muslim genders’ intentions to visit non-Islamic destinations

Authors:  Jumani, Zulfiqar Ali

Journals: Journal of Islamic Marketing

Improving Natural and Artificial Lighting in Coastal Architecture Classrooms: Insights and Applications

Authors: Tachaya Sangkakool; Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Faculty of Architecture; Zulfiqar Ali Jumani; Muang District, Songkhla, Thailand; Faculty of Business Administration and Accounting, Khon Kaen Business School, Khon Kaen University, Thailand

Journals: Journal of Daylighting

Perceptions of Halal-friendly attributes: a quantitative study of tourists’ intention to travel non-Islamic destination

Authors: Soonsan, Nimit; Jumani, Zulfiqar Ali

Journals: Journal of Islamic Marketing

Linking digital capability to small business performance: the mediating role of digital business transformation

Authors: Yudha Prakasa; Zulfiqar Ali Jumani

Journals: Cogent Business & Management