Workiye Getnet Abera | Chemical Engineering | Best Scholar Award

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Mr. Workiye Getnet Abera | Chemical Engineering | Best Scholar Award

Lecturer, Debre Tabor university, Ethiopia

Workiye Getnet Abera is a dynamic and innovative Chemical Engineer from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, specializing in modeling, simulation, and the development of biomass-based products. With over five years of academic and research experience, he currently serves as a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Debre Tabor University. His journey began at Jimma University, where he earned both his BSc and MSc in Chemical Engineering with a focus on process engineering. Throughout his career, Workiye has demonstrated a passion for sustainable materials, publishing numerous papers in top-tier international journals and contributing actively as a reviewer and editorial board member. His hands-on industrial training at Fincha Sugar Factory enriched his practical knowledge, bridging the gap between theory and industry. As an academic with strong technical skills and a commitment to innovation, he continuously works toward developing eco-friendly engineering solutions that can address global sustainability challenges and promote cleaner production methods.

Profile

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🎓 Education 

Workiye Getnet Abera pursued both his undergraduate and postgraduate education in Chemical Engineering at Jimma University, one of Ethiopia’s most prestigious institutions. He obtained his Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in 2017, gaining a strong foundation in core engineering principles, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and chemical process design. Building on this, he continued his academic journey and received his Master of Science (MSc) in Chemical Engineering with a specialization in Process Engineering in 2020. His master’s research was focused on sustainable technologies and renewable resource utilization, particularly in polymer and biomass-based material synthesis. His academic training emphasized both theoretical rigor and practical application, equipping him with advanced knowledge in process modeling, simulation, and optimization techniques. His educational background, coupled with strong analytical and research skills, has laid a solid foundation for his professional and academic accomplishments, preparing him for impactful work in the chemical engineering and sustainability sectors.

🧪 Experience

Workiye has a diverse professional background combining teaching, research, and industrial experience. He currently works as a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at Debre Tabor University, where he leads research in polymer chemistry and additive manufacturing and delivers core chemical engineering courses. Before this, he served as a Lecturer and Researcher at Dilla University from 2020 to 2024, where he was actively engaged in curriculum development, mentoring students, and advancing research in sustainable processes and materials. His industry experience began with an internship at Fincha Sugar Factory in 2015, where he gained practical exposure to large-scale industrial operations, including sugar production and bioproduct processing. This blend of academia and industry has shaped him into a well-rounded professional. His experience across both academic institutions and industrial settings enables him to bridge theory and practice, nurturing a new generation of engineers while conducting impactful research that meets real-world needs.

🔬 Research Focus 

Workiye Getnet Abera’s research centers around sustainable materials engineering, biomass utilization, and process optimization. His work contributes to global environmental goals by creating value-added products from renewable and agro-industrial waste. His primary research interests include the synthesis and characterization of bioplastics, development of plant-based biolubricants, and formulation of gluten-free functional foods. He employs modeling, simulation, and design of experiments (DoE) techniques using tools such as Aspen Plus, MATLAB, Design Expert, and ANSYS to optimize chemical processes. Additionally, Workiye is exploring polymer chemistry and additive manufacturing to produce eco-friendly alternatives to conventional plastics. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on experimentation, he aims to develop green engineering solutions for food, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. His work not only contributes to academic knowledge but also holds practical implications for local industries and sustainable development in Ethiopia and beyond. His forward-looking research aligns well with the goals of global climate action and circular economy.

📚 Publication Top Notes

  1. 🧴 Synthesis, Characterization, and Optimization of Antimicrobial Biolubricant from Ocimum lamiifolium and Lactic Acid – Heliyon, 2025

  2. 🍞 Quality Assessment of Gluten-Free Sorghum Bread with Sweet Lupin Flour – CYTA Journal of Food, 2024

  3. 🍪 Effect of Baking Conditions on Gluten-Free Biscuit from Groundnut Oilseed Cake and Teff – Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2024

  4. 🌿 Synthesis and Characterization of Bioplastic from Banana Peel Starch and Cellulosic Fiber – Biomass Conversion & Biorefinery, 2023

 

 

Jamila Oukharijane | Business Process Management | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Jamila Oukharijane | Business Process Management | Best Researcher Award

Research assistant, Faculty of Engineering, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy

Dr. Jamila Oukharijane is an accomplished academic and researcher specializing in autonomic adaptation of business processes and software engineering. With a strong educational foundation, she earned a Bachelor’s in Computing Management from the High Institute of Business Administration of Sfax, graduating as the best student in her class. She completed her Master’s and PhD in Information Systems and Computer Science at the University of Sfax in Tunisia, where her doctoral research focused on enhancing the adaptation of business processes through autonomic computing techniques. Dr. Oukharijane has taught at prestigious institutions in Tunisia and Morocco, contributing significantly to the education of future engineers. Her research has been presented at major international conferences, and she has published extensively on topics related to self-adaptive business processes, data mining, and real-time context monitoring. She is passionate about advancing computing systems that improve business efficiency and automation.

Profile

Strengths for the Award

  1. Academic and Professional Background:
    • Dr. Oukharijane has a strong academic foundation with a Bachelor’s degree in Computing Management from the University of Sfax (Best student out of 120) and a Master’s degree in Information Systems and New Technologies. She completed her PhD in Computer Science in 2022, focusing on autonomic adaptation of business processes, which showcases her deep expertise in a highly specialized area of computer science.
  2. Research Contributions:
    • Dr. Oukharijane’s research, particularly in the domain of self-adaptive business processes, has significantly contributed to the field of autonomic computing and business process management (BPMN). Her works, such as “Towards a New Adaptation Engine for Self-Adaptation of BPMN Process Instances” and “A Hybrid Approach for the Resolution of Adaptation Needs”, are innovative and address real-time adaptation of business processes, which is a critical need in today’s fast-evolving technological environment.
    • She has authored and co-authored multiple research papers in high-impact conferences such as the IEEE/ACS International Conference and International Business Information Management Association (IBIMA), contributing to the global body of knowledge in context-based adaptation, business process modeling, and self-adaptation techniques.
  3. Teaching Experience:
    • Dr. Oukharijane has a strong teaching background with experience as a part-time professor at multiple respected institutions, including the National School of Applied Sciences of Khouribga and the Moroccan School of Engineering Sciences, where she taught courses related to software engineering, algorithms, and data structures. This demonstrates her ability to not only conduct research but also effectively communicate complex technical subjects to students, enhancing their practical and theoretical understanding.
  4. Global Recognition and International Collaboration:
    • Her research has been presented at various prestigious international conferences, such as the IEEE International Conference, IBIMA, and ICSBT. These collaborations highlight her global impact and recognition within the academic community.
    • She has worked on collaborative research with esteemed professionals, such as I Ben Said, MA Chaabane, and R Bouaziz, which strengthens the credibility and influence of her research contributions.
  5. Innovative Approach:
    • Her work on real-time context monitoring and adaptive systems for business processes is an emerging area with strong industrial relevance, addressing critical needs in automation, efficiency, and real-time decision-making for businesses.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Broader Publication in High-Impact Journals:
    • While Dr. Oukharijane has published in notable conferences, there is an opportunity to target high-impact journals (e.g., ACM Computing Surveys, IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering) to increase the visibility and academic influence of her research. Publications in these journals would enhance her credibility and recognition within the academic community.
  2. Diversity in Research Topics:
    • Dr. Oukharijane’s research, while highly specialized and technical, is primarily focused on business process management, self-adaptation, and autonomic computing. It might be beneficial for her to explore broader interdisciplinary research areas, such as integrating her work with emerging technologies like AI, machine learning, or blockchain to diversify her research portfolio and address cross-disciplinary challenges.
  3. Industry Partnerships:
    • Although her research is highly theoretical and focused on software engineering, practical applications and industry collaborations could be enhanced. Building stronger ties with industry partners, such as IT companies or business process management firms, could help transition her research into practical solutions, enhancing its real-world impact.
  4. Mentorship and Supervision:
    • As an academic, there may be opportunities for Dr. Oukharijane to increase her involvement in PhD supervision and mentoring junior researchers, which could further elevate her role as a leader in the academic community.

Education

Dr. Jamila Oukharijane completed her Bachelor’s in Computing Management at the High Institute of Business Administration of Sfax, University of Sfax, where she graduated as the top student among 120 peers. She pursued her Master’s in Information Systems and New Technologies at the Faculty of Economics Sciences and Management of Sfax, University of Sfax, graduating in 2017. Dr. Oukharijane then achieved her PhD in Computer Science in 2022 from the same institution, where her doctoral research focused on “Contributions to Autonomic Adaptation of Business Processes.” Her thesis delved into innovative methods for automating and optimizing business process management, particularly in dynamic environments. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Oukharijane demonstrated an exceptional aptitude for blending theoretical knowledge with practical applications, positioning herself as a leading expert in business process management and self-adaptation. Her educational background reflects a deep commitment to advancing the field of computing systems and information technology.

Experience

Dr. Jamila Oukharijane brings extensive teaching and academic experience to her role as an educator and researcher. From 2019 to 2022, she served as a part-time professor at the High Institute of Business Administration of Sfax, University of Sfax, where she taught Bachelor’s level courses, primarily focusing on software engineering and data structures. In 2023, she broadened her academic contributions by joining the National School of Applied Sciences of Khouribga in Morocco as a part-time professor, teaching courses on .Net, software security, and DevOps to engineer students. Later in the same year, Dr. Oukharijane took on a full-time professor role at the Moroccan School of Engineering Sciences of Casablanca, where she taught algorithms and data mining. With experience across Tunisia and Morocco, Dr. Oukharijane has demonstrated her commitment to advancing engineering education while fostering international academic collaboration.

Research Focus

Dr. Jamila Oukharijane’s primary research focus is in the field of self-adaptive business processes, where she explores advanced methods for autonomic adaptation of business process management. Her research investigates techniques to enable real-time process adaptation in complex and dynamic environments, an essential aspect of modern business operations. By integrating context-based monitoring with self-adaptation mechanisms, Dr. Oukharijane aims to optimize business process performance and enhance process resilience. She is particularly interested in hybrid approaches that combine reuse techniques and AI-driven analytics for better decision-making. Her work on BPMN processes (Business Process Model and Notation) strives to create more efficient, adaptable, and intelligent systems capable of autonomously adjusting to changing business needs. Dr. Oukharijane has made significant contributions to software engineering, data mining, and process automation, and her research holds promise for transforming how businesses implement and optimize complex workflows in real time.

Publication Top Notes

  • Towards a New Adaptation Engine for Self-Adaptation of BPMN Processes Instances (2019) 🛠️📊
  • Towards an Approach for the Evaluation of the Quality of Business Process Models (2018) 📈
  • A Survey of Self-Adaptive Business Processes (2018) 🔍🔄
  • Self-Adaptive Business Processes: A Hybrid Approach for the Resolution of Adaptation Needs (2022) 🔄⚙️
  • A Hybrid Approach Based on Reuse Techniques for Autonomic Adaptation of Business Processes (2020) 🔄♻️
  • A Context-Based Approach for Real-Time Adaptation Need Detection (2023) ⏱️💡
  • Real-Time Context Monitoring and Analysis for Detecting Process Adaptation Needs (2024) 📡📊
  • Real-Time Context Monitoring and Analysis for Detecting Process Adaptation Needs (2023) 🌍🔍
  • A New Adaptation Engine for Self-Adaptation of BPMN Processes Instances (2023) ⚙️🧠

Conclusion

Dr. Jamila Oukharijane is an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award, with a strong track record in cutting-edge research on self-adaptive business processes and autonomic computing. Her academic achievements, research contributions, and teaching experience demonstrate both intellectual rigor and a commitment to advancing knowledge in her field. Her work not only addresses current challenges in business process management but also provides innovative solutions with significant implications for the industry. While there are areas for growth, particularly in expanding her research impact through journal publications and industry collaboration, Dr. Oukharijane has already made significant strides in her field. With continued growth in these areas, she is well-positioned to make even greater contributions to the academic and professional community. Overall, Dr. Oukharijane’s combination of research excellence, teaching experience, and global recognition makes her a deserving nominee for this prestigious award.

 

Ojong Ojong | Optimization and Control | Best Researcher Award

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Dr Ojong Ojong | Optimization and Control | Best Researcher Award

Lecturer II and Ag. HoD Chemical Engineering at University of Calabar in Nigeria.

Engr. Dr. Ojong Elias Ojong is a distinguished Lecturer II in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Calabar, Nigeria. Born on September 30, 1990, in Bendeghe/Ekiem, Cross River State, he is dedicated to advancing the field of chemical engineering through research and education. Ojong holds a B.Tech., M.Tech., and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Rivers State University. With a robust academic background and practical experience in industry, he is committed to fostering the next generation of engineers. Ojong is also actively involved in community services and professional associations, promoting collaboration and innovation in engineering.

Profile

Scopus

Strengths

  1. Academic Qualifications: Ojong has an impressive academic background, with a B.Tech (First Class) in Chemical Engineering, an M.Tech, and a Ph.D. in progress. His strong academic foundation sets him apart as a dedicated and capable researcher.
  2. Teaching Experience: With extensive teaching responsibilities over the past five years at the University of Calabar, he has proven his commitment to education and mentoring. His involvement in key chemical engineering courses demonstrates both depth and breadth in his teaching abilities.
  3. Research Output: Ojong has published several peer-reviewed articles in reputable journals, covering topics such as chemical kinetics, reactor functions, and heat exchanger modeling. His research has practical applications in engineering, as demonstrated by his work on the design and simulation of chemical plants and energy systems.
  4. Professional Engagement: Ojong has attended and presented at multiple national and international conferences, showcasing his research and staying updated on the latest trends in his field. This engagement in the broader academic community is a critical factor in research leadership.
  5. Awards and Scholarships: His scholarships, such as the Ph.D. Scholarship by Tetfund and the Agbami Undergraduate Scholarship, underscore his academic excellence and promise.
  6. Membership in Professional Bodies: Ojong is a Corporate Member of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers and a COREN-registered engineer. This formal recognition within professional bodies highlights his commitment to adhering to high standards in engineering practice.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Research Citations: While Ojong has published significant research, his citation metrics on Google Scholar, Scopus, and ORCID are relatively modest, with h-index values of 1-2. Increasing his citation count through collaborative and impactful research could enhance his academic influence.
  2. International Collaboration: Strengthening collaborations with international researchers and participating in joint research projects could further improve the global impact of his work.

Education

Dr. Ojong Elias Ojong’s academic journey showcases a strong foundation in chemical engineering. He earned his B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering with first-class honors from Rivers State University in 2014. His passion for the field led him to pursue an M.Tech. at the same institution, which he completed in 2019. Currently, he is a Ph.D. candidate at Rivers State University, focusing on optimizing chemical processes. His educational endeavors are supported by notable scholarships, including a PhD Scholarship from Tetfund and an Agbami Scholarship during his undergraduate studies. Ojong’s dedication to academic excellence and continuous learning reflects his commitment to making significant contributions to chemical engineering.

Experience 

Engr. Dr. Ojong Elias Ojong has accumulated extensive teaching and industrial experience in chemical engineering. He began his academic career as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Calabar in October 2019 and was promoted to Lecturer II in October 2021. His teaching responsibilities include various undergraduate courses such as Process Dynamics and Control, Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Thermodynamics. Ojong also supervises undergraduate projects, enhancing students’ practical skills. Prior to academia, he worked as a Graduate Trainee at Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, gaining valuable industry insights. His experience is complemented by a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) position at Erisco Food Nigeria Limited. Through his roles, he aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in the chemical engineering field.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Ojong Elias Ojong’s academic achievements have been recognized through several prestigious awards and scholarships. In 2021, he received a PhD Scholarship from Tetfund, reflecting his research potential and commitment to advancing knowledge in chemical engineering. During his undergraduate studies, he was awarded the Agbami Scholarship, which further motivated his pursuit of academic excellence. These recognitions underscore his dedication to his field and his efforts to contribute meaningfully to engineering education and research. Ojong’s accolades not only highlight his personal achievements but also serve as an inspiration for his students and peers. His recognition in academia reinforces the importance of supporting and nurturing emerging talents in the engineering sector.

Research Focus 

Dr. Ojong Elias Ojong’s research interests center on optimizing chemical processes and control systems. His current Ph.D. research investigates advanced techniques in the performance evaluation of PID and fuzzy logic controllers for urea reactor functions. Ojong’s work aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in chemical engineering applications, particularly in process dynamics and control. He has published several articles in reputable journals, contributing to knowledge in areas such as naphtha reforming and corrosion effects in chemical systems. His research not only addresses theoretical challenges but also emphasizes practical solutions that can be implemented in industrial settings. Dr. Ojong is committed to fostering innovation in chemical engineering through his research and collaborative projects.

Publication Top Notes

  • Resolving systems of ordinary differential equations in naphtha reforming process: Comparison of laplace transform and numerical methods. 📊
  • Estimation of Kinetic Parameters of Naphtha Lump Feeds. 📈
  • Design of Engineering Project Planning Software: A case Study. 💻
  • Two-way ANOVA for comparison of remedial nutrient solution and enhanced natural attenuation using SPSS for treating petroleum contaminated soils. 🧪
  • Mathematical modelling of operating temperature variations of shell-tube-heat exchanger (10-E-01). 🔥
  • Validation of MATLAB algorithm to implement a two-step parallel pyrolysis model for the prediction of maximum % char yield. ⚙️
  • Effect of Surface Finish on Corrosion and Microstructure of Carbon Steel-(C-1020) and Stainless Steel-(SS304). 🛠️
  • The Use of Models to Evaluate Corrosion Effects on Mild Steel Heat Exchanger in Water and Mono Ethanol Amine (MEA). 🌊

Conclusion

Ojong Elias Ojong’s academic achievements, research output, and professional activities make him a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. His diverse work in chemical engineering, teaching experience, and research productivity highlight his dedication to advancing both the academic and practical aspects of his field.