Dr. Paul Kariuki | Internet of Things | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Paul Kariuki | Internet of Things | Best Researcher Award 

Senior Lecturer, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Dr. Paul Kariuki is an accomplished scholar and practitioner in public governance and development studies. He earned his Ph.D. in Public Administration (School of IT, Management & Governance, UKZN), a Master’s in Development Studies (Development Economics, UKZN), a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Airlangga (Indonesia), and additional postgraduate qualifications in Monitoring & Evaluation, Human Rights, and Non-Profit Leadership from Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town. He has extensive experience in coalition governance, participatory democracy, monitoring & evaluation, local economic development, migration, social cohesion, e-governance and cybersecurity. Dr. Paul Kariuki has supervised and examined numerous postgraduate theses in public management and governance across South African and regional universities. He has co-authored more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, published 20+ books/monographs on municipal governance, democracy and policy responses, and presented at major international conferences. His work has informed public-sector reforms, inclusive city strategies, and evidence-based policymaking in South Africa.

Profile: GOOGLE SCHOLAR | SCOPUS

Featured Publications

  • P. Kariuki & P. Reddy — Operationalizing an effective monitoring and evaluation system for local government: Considerations for best practice — African Evaluation Journal 5(2):1-8, 2017 — Cited by 64

  • P. Kariuki & L.O. Ofusori — WhatsApp-operated stokvels promoting youth entrepreneurship in Durban, South Africa: Experiences of young entrepreneurs — Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Theory and Practice…, 2017 — Cited by 26

  • P. Kariuki, L.O. Ofusori & P.R. Subramaniam — Cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities experienced by small-scale African migrant traders in Southern Africa — Security Journal, 2023 — Cited by 18

  • P. Kariuki, L.O. Ofusori, P.R. Subramaniam et al. — Challenges in contact tracing by mining mobile phone location data for COVID-19: Implications for public governance in South Africa — Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge and Management 16:101-124, 2021 — Cited by 9

  • P. Kariuki, J.A. Adeleke & L.O. Ofusori — The role of open data in enabling fiscal transparency and accountability in municipalities in Africa: South Africa and Nigeria case studies — Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Theory and Practice…, 2020 — Cited by 8

Conclusion

Dr. Paul Kariuki’s extensive and diverse body of work demonstrates a consistent commitment to advancing public governance, digital innovation, and inclusive development across Africa. His research contributions, which span monitoring and evaluation systems, e-governance, cybersecurity, migration, and social cohesion, have informed both academic scholarship and practical policy implementation. With numerous peer-reviewed publications, collaborative projects, and impactful case studies, Dr. Kariuki exemplifies the qualities of a forward-thinking scholar and practitioner whose work drives meaningful change in communities. These achievements position him as an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Rup Chowdhury | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Rup Chowdhury | Computer Science | Best Researcher Award

Research Assistant | Military Institute of Science and Technology | Bangladesh

Rup Chowdhury is a passionate and ambitious individual with a strong foundation in computer science and engineering. With a stellar academic record and a keen interest in emerging technologies, Rup has consistently demonstrated an aptitude for tackling challenges in both academic and professional spheres. Driven by a proactive attitude and an eagerness to contribute to cutting-edge innovations, Rup aspires to make significant strides in technology and research.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Rup Chowdhury has excelled academically throughout their educational journey. After achieving a perfect GPA of 5.00 in the Science stream during the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) from Brahmondi K.K.M. Govt. High School in 2016, Rup continued to thrive with a GPA of 4.33 in the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) at Narsingdi Govt. College in 2018. Further academic pursuits led to a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) from Notre Dame University Bangladesh, where Rup graduated with a CGPA of 3.91 out of 4.00.

Experience

Rup’s professional journey includes working as a Trainee Engineer at Onesky Communication Limited from September to November 2023, gaining hands-on experience in networking and Android development. Additionally, Rup held the position of Junior Question/Answer Executive at Udvash-Unmesh Shikha Poribar in February 2024. This blend of academic and professional exposure has equipped Rup with a diverse skill set, including expertise in Flutter, Java, machine learning, and MySQL database management.

Research Interest

Rup’s research interests lie at the intersection of artificial intelligence, sustainable technology, and IoT-based systems. Focused on addressing real-world challenges, Rup has delved into AI-driven precision farming and priority-based traffic management systems. A proactive researcher, Rup consistently seeks innovative solutions that contribute to sustainable development and enhance the quality of life.

Awards

Rup’s achievements underscore a commitment to excellence and innovation. Key highlights include:

  • 5th Position at the “KYAU National Hackathon 2023.”
  • Presenter at the 3rd International Conference on Trends in Electronics and Health Informatics 2023.

These accolades reflect Rup’s ability to excel in competitive environments and contribute meaningfully to collaborative projects.

Publications

  1. Rup Chowdhury, Md. Nazmul Islam, Prapti Das, Fernaz Narin Nur, and A.H.M. Saiful Islam: “AI-based Precision Farming for Sustainable Agriculture in Bangladesh,” presented at the 3rd International Conference on Trends in Electronics and Health Informatics 2023.
    • Cited by: Articles emphasizing AI-driven sustainability.
  2. Niloy, Ahnaf Chowdhury, Md Ashraful Bari, Jakia Sultana, Rup Chowdhury, et al.: “Why do students use ChatGPT? Answering through a triangulation approach,” published in Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence (2024).
    • Cited by: Studies exploring AI adoption in education.

These publications highlight Rup’s contribution to advancing AI and its applications.

Conclusion

Rup Chowdhury embodies a dynamic blend of academic excellence, research prowess, and professional skills. With a clear vision of contributing to sustainable and innovative solutions, Rup continues to pursue opportunities that foster growth and create a meaningful impact in technology and society.