Earnest Manjengwa | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Earnest Manjengwa | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Earnest Manjengwa, Ndlovu Care Group, South Africa.

Dr. Earnest Manjengwa is a Research Economist and Monitoring & Evaluation expert whose work lies at the intersection of sustainability, economic transformation, and development policy. Based in South Africa with educational and professional roots across Zimbabwe and Europe, he holds a PhD in Economics from North-West University, South Africa. His multidisciplinary experience spans public health policy, competition regulation, ESG analysis, and socio-economic evaluation. He has worked with major institutions such as Ndlovu Care Group, University of Pretoria, and Underhill Corporate Solutions, and consulted for regional organizations including COMESA and SAMEA. Known for translating data into actionable insights, Dr. Manjengwa plays a critical role in policy evaluation and stakeholder engagement across southern Africa. A published scholar and frequent conference presenter, he is committed to fostering inclusive development, evidence-based policymaking, and economic justice. His work reflects a deep passion for building resilient communities and advancing public value through rigorous research.

🧑‍🔬Profile

Orcid

📘 Education 🎓

Dr. Manjengwa’s academic background is a robust blend of economics and applied analysis. He earned his PhD in Economics (2021–2024) from North-West University, South Africa, with research on ESG performance and BRICS economic growth. Prior to that, he completed a Master’s in Specialized Economic Analysis at the Barcelona School of Economics (2015–2016), broadening his understanding of European and global policy contexts. He holds an MSc in Economics (2012–2014) and a BSc (Hons) in Economics (2003–2006) from the University of Zimbabwe. Additionally, he has certifications in Research Ethics, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Research Methods. His educational journey reflects both theoretical and applied excellence, equipping him with a strong foundation in econometrics, policy assessment, and economic regulation. These qualifications have empowered him to take on diverse research and consultancy roles across southern Africa, blending academic rigour with hands-on implementation for sustainable economic development.

💼 Experience 🔍

Dr. Manjengwa’s experience demonstrates exceptional depth in economics, evaluation, and public policy. He currently serves as Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting Manager at Ndlovu Care Group, overseeing data systems and program performance. As a part-time lecturer at the University of Pretoria, he contributes to postgraduate training in public health. He previously led COVID-19 response evaluations and managed development programs for GIZ, SAMEA, and FPD. Earlier, he was a Senior Researcher at Underhill Corporate Solutions, spearheading multi-million-rand projects on gambling, skills development, and consumer credit policy. His background also includes roles with the Competition and Tariff Commission and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, where he worked on anti-trust enforcement, market regulation, and exchange controls. With over a decade of multi-sectoral exposure, his career embodies the fusion of economics, impact assessment, and strategic implementation. His dynamic leadership and analytical acumen have directly contributed to improved governance and accountability in both public and private domains.

🌱 Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Manjengwa’s research interests reflect a forward-looking commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. He is particularly invested in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks and their intersection with economic growth, especially in emerging markets like BRICS. His scholarly pursuits also encompass competition law enforcement, regulatory economics, and public health program evaluation. He has a strong focus on socio-economic policy, with expertise in analyzing market dynamics, assessing developmental impacts of regulation, and designing monitoring and evaluation frameworks. A consistent advocate for data-driven decision-making, he is passionate about how empirical research can inform better policy outcomes in areas such as sustainability transitions, equity, and climate resilience. His multidisciplinary lens helps bridge theory and practice across development sectors. Whether investigating merger impacts, evaluating education systems, or advocating for consumer protection, his work underpins a mission to foster accountability, inclusion, and long-term economic resilience.

🏆 Awards and Achievements 🎖️

Dr. Manjengwa’s career is marked by a series of impactful recognitions that highlight his exceptional contribution to research and project execution. He was honored with three major internal awards at Underhill Corporate Solutions: Project Manager of the Year 2019, Buddie of the Year 2019, and Employee of the Year 2018. These accolades reflect not only technical proficiency but also his ability to inspire collaboration, drive results, and build trust among multidisciplinary teams. His academic achievements include top-tier research outputs published in journals such as Sustainability and Asian Economic Review, and he is a frequent contributor to regional policy discourse. His leadership in public health program evaluation and economic analysis continues to earn the respect of institutions like SAMEA and GIZ. Through his academic, professional, and consulting roles, Dr. Manjengwa has built a reputation as a reliable, results-driven economist dedicated to making a tangible impact in policy, regulation, and community development.

Publication Top Notes

ESG Performance and Economic Growth in BRICS Countries: A Dynamic ARDL Panel Approach

Towards a Tracking System to Enforce Competition Law in the Southern and East African Region

Assessing Agriculture and Food Markets in Eastern and Southern Africa: An Agenda for Competition Enforcement

Mergers and Acquisitions and Firm Performance in Zimbabwe

Hicham Fatnassi | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hicham Fatnassi | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Hicham Fatnassi,  INRAE, France.

Dr. Hicham Fatnassi is a distinguished environmental physicist and senior agricultural engineer renowned for his pioneering contributions to smart greenhouse systems and sustainable horticulture. Based at INRAE PACA Research Center in France, he brings over two decades of international experience in optimizing protected agriculture. Dr. Fatnassi has advanced the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to model microclimates and ventilation strategies in greenhouses, enhancing their productivity and resilience. His collaborative projects span France, the UAE, and North Africa, bridging agricultural science with environmental engineering. He is widely published in high-impact journals and remains at the forefront of climate-smart agriculture, food security, and environmental control. 🌱📊

👤 Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Fatnassi earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Physics with a specialization in greenhouse climate characterization and modeling. His doctoral work was jointly supervised by INRAE Avignon, France, and Ibn Zohr University, Morocco, exemplifying international academic collaboration. During his Ph.D., he developed sophisticated models for understanding the physical dynamics of greenhouse environments, laying the groundwork for his future breakthroughs in agricultural engineering. This interdisciplinary training empowered him to integrate physical sciences with applied horticultural innovation. His academic foundation supports his continued innovation in low-energy, sustainable agricultural practices. 📘🧪

👨‍🔬 Experience

Currently serving as a Doctor Engineer at INRAE (2024–Present), Dr. Fatnassi also worked as a Senior Horticulture Scientist at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai (2021–2023). Prior to this, he spent nearly two decades (2002–2020) at INRAE, France, developing advanced greenhouse systems. Across these roles, he has led projects on solar-integrated greenhouses, pest management models, and adaptive climate systems. His work enables growers in arid and semi-arid regions to harness cutting-edge technologies for climate-resilient agriculture. His roles demonstrate both scientific depth and global perspective. 🌐🧑‍🏫

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Fatnassi’s research centers on greenhouse climate control, CFD modeling, solar energy integration, and sustainable agriculture. He is particularly interested in the interaction between microclimates and crop health, and in leveraging energy-efficient systems to reduce agricultural footprints. His work contributes to Integrated Pest Management (IPM), climate-smart horticulture, and the use of predictive analytics in controlled-environment agriculture. He actively collaborates across disciplines—physics, agronomy, environmental science—to build robust models for eco-efficient crop production. 🌞🍅💡

🏆 Awards & Distinctions

While Dr. Fatnassi’s awards are not explicitly listed, his selection as a senior researcher at INRAE, a globally respected institute, and his role at ICBA reflect his scientific reputation and leadership. His research has influenced policy, greenhouse technology standards, and has earned citations in prestigious journals. Given his impact, he is a strong contender for awards in agricultural innovation, environmental engineering, and sustainable development. 🥇📚

📚 Publication Top Notes

Greenhouse cooling systems: A systematic review of research trends, challenges, and recommendations for improving sustainability

Transforming agriculture for a changing climate: harnessing precision technologies in controlled environment agriculture systems to enhance food security in arid and semi-arid zones

Greenhouse vegetable production from the point of view of climate change

Considering plant activities in greenhouse climate models using computational fluid dynamics: current achievements and future perspectives

Computational fluid dynamics analysis of the effect of the interaction between the airflow of two naturally ventilated neighboring greenhouses on the microclimate

Dr. Saleh Alotaibi | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Saleh Alotaibi | Sustainability Strategies | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Saleh Alotaibi, Saudi Standards Metrology & Quality Organization, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Saleh Mohammed Alotaibi is a distinguished Saudi expert in renewable energy, project management, and technical regulation. 🇸🇦 He currently serves as a Consultant at the Research and Studies Center at the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), offering deep expertise in solar energy integration and electric vehicle systems. His academic journey is rooted in cutting-edge renewable energy technologies, culminating in a PhD from the University of Nottingham, UK. 🌍 A bilingual (Arabic & English) researcher, Dr. Alotaibi bridges academic and practical knowledge through his teaching at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University and contributions to international technical committees. He is a certified Lead Auditor and has held influential roles in Saudi Arabia’s strategic planning and quality infrastructure development. With a multidisciplinary background, his career reflects a strong commitment to innovation, public policy, and energy sustainability. ⚡ His work continues to inspire progress in clean technology and national regulatory excellence.

🧑‍🔬 Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Alotaibi’s academic foundation is both robust and diverse. 🎓 He earned his PhD in Renewable Energy Technology from the University of Nottingham, UK, where his thesis focused on using electric vehicles to enhance large-scale photovoltaic integration into Saudi Arabia’s grid systems—a pioneering subject aligned with national energy goals. 🇬🇧 He also holds a Master’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from De Montfort University, UK, and a Bachelor’s in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Amman University, Jordan. 📘 His technical acumen is further bolstered by extensive training in ISO auditing, smart energy systems, project management, and technical regulation. This educational pathway reflects his interdisciplinary strengths, connecting theoretical research with hands-on regulatory and energy system applications. 🛠️ His training and academic experience have equipped him to lead in fields involving quality assurance, smart grids, and strategic energy planning, making him a uniquely qualified scholar-practitioner in both engineering and governance. 🚀

🧠 Experience

Dr. Alotaibi has accumulated over 16 years of progressive experience across academia, research, and national policy development. 🏢 As Consultant at SASO’s Research and Studies Center (2023–present), he evaluates renewable energy projects and develops strategies for large-scale implementation of solar and EV systems. He also teaches at Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University, sharing his expertise with the next generation of engineers. 👨‍🏫 Previously, as Head of Electrical Standards at SASO (2017–2019), he played a key role in updating national standards to ensure market protection from subpar products. 💡 As a long-time SASO team member since 2009, he has led initiatives in standardization, electric safety, and technical committee representation at the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). 🌐 He also served as Assistant PhD Supervisor at the University of Nottingham. His portfolio includes leading roles in solar PV programs, EV regulatory committees, and quality promotion nationwide. 🔧📈

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Alotaibi’s research interests lie at the intersection of renewable energy systems, grid integration, electric vehicles, and technical regulation. ⚙️ His doctoral work on enhancing grid systems using electric vehicles showcases his commitment to clean energy transitions and sustainable infrastructure. He explores how large-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems can be optimized using smart technologies, especially in arid and sunny regions like Saudi Arabia. 🌞 He also investigates public confidence in electric mobility, a subject crucial to energy adoption. His participation in standards development reflects a dual focus on innovation and compliance. 📊 Furthermore, he contributes to educational policy by integrating standardization into university curricula. His blend of research and regulatory implementation makes him a unique thought leader, capable of linking theoretical frameworks with national priorities in sustainable energy, smart grid evolution, and stakeholder engagement. 🧩 His vision is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 energy diversification goals and global decarbonization efforts. 🌍

🏆 Awards & Recognitions

Dr. Alotaibi has earned national recognition for his dedication to quality, research, and leadership. As a Saudi Quality Ambassador since 2021, he promotes excellence through the National Quality Strategy, inspiring best practices across sectors. 🥇 His role in the Promotions Committee at SASO since 2023 demonstrates trust in his technical judgment in engineering nominations. He is also a key member of the Saudi Standards Curriculum Committee, where he’s developing a new educational framework for national implementation. 📚 His representation of Saudi Arabia in global energy standardization bodies like the IEC has been instrumental in shaping international dialogue on solar and energy storage technologies. 🌐 Dr. Alotaibi’s awards and roles highlight not only his technical expertise but also his visionary leadership. He exemplifies the principles of innovation, public service, and quality-driven governance that define outstanding researchers. 🎖️ His work continues to advance national priorities while influencing global best practices.

📚 Publication