Alula Tafesse Shirko | Farmers | Top Researcher Award

Dr Alula Tafesse Shirko | Farmers |  Top Researcher Award

Dean at  Wolaita Sodo AVET College,  Ethiopia

Dr. Alula Tafesse Shirko is an Assistant Professor at Wolaita Sodo University and currently serves as the Dean of Wolaita Sodo Agricultural Vocational Training College in Ethiopia. He holds a strong academic background and expertise in agricultural sciences, specializing in agricultural education and vocational training. Dr. Alula has contributed significantly to the development of agricultural training programs aimed at improving local farming practices and promoting sustainable agricultural development in the region. His leadership roles at both the university and vocational training college highlight his dedication to the advancement of agricultural education in Ethiopia.

Profile:

Education:

  • PhD in Agricultural Economics (2016-2021), Haramaya University, Ethiopia
    Dissertation: Technical Efficiency, Commercialization, and Food & Nutrition Security Impacts of Moringa in SNNP Region, Ethiopia
  • MSc in Natural Resource Economics and Policy (2010-2012), Hawassa University, Ethiopia
  • BSc in Natural Resource Economics and Management (2007-2009), Mekelle University, Ethiopia

Administrative and Academic Positions:

  • Dean, Wolaita Sodo Agricultural Vocational Training College (January 2024 – Present)
  • Head, Department of Agricultural Economics, Wolaita Sodo University (2021-2023, 2014-2016)
  • Assistant Professor, Wolaita Sodo University (2016 – 2024)
  • Lecturer, Wolaita Sodo University (2013 – 2016)
  • Lecturer, Mekelle University (2012-2013)
  • Graduate Assistant, Mekelle University (2009-2012)

Grants and Research Funding:

  • Wolaita Sodo University Research Fund: Integrated watershed management for sustainable fish production for enhanced youth job creation and food security in Wolaita Area, Ethiopia (Completed, 250,000 ETB)
  • Ethiopian Ministry of Science and Higher Education Scholarship: PhD research on Moringa commercialization, food security, and technical efficiency (Completed, 60,000 ETB)
  • SNNPR and Wolaita Sodo University Research Fund: Assessing development bottlenecks of mixed agricultural production system in Southern Ethiopia (Completed, 1.5m ETB)

Workshop and Conference Participation:

  • Presenter at Fourth Annual International Research Conference (2015, Wolaita Sodo University)
  • Curriculum reviewer at Curriculum Validation Workshop (2021, Worabe University)

Dr. Tafesse is a seasoned academic and researcher with significant contributions to agricultural economics and policy. He holds leadership roles in both academia and research, with a focus on food security, agricultural efficiency, and rural development.

Publication Top Notes:

  • Can asset accumulation weigh the welfare status of mung bean farmers in lowland areas of South Ethiopia?
    Gata, G., Kuma, B., Tafesse, A., Habte, Z. (2025). Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 19, 101611.
  • Status and determinants of multi-dimensional poverty in Wolaita Sodo Town, southern Ethiopia
    Esrael, E., Worku, A., Cucchi, C., Recha, J.W., Tafesse, A. (2025). Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 19, 101562.
  • Assessment of cumulative incidences of mung bean crop production in lowlands of south Ethiopia through multiple factor analysis
    Gata, G., Kuma, B., Tafesse, A. (2024). Heliyon, 10(10), e31012.
  • Digital tools and welfare: adoption determinants among ginger producers in Southern and Central Ethiopia
    Gizachew, F., Kuma, B., Tafesse, A., Lambamo, A. (2024). Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, 1443775.
  • Effect of credit constraint on yield: the case of ginger producers in southern and central Ethiopia
    Tilore, F.G., Shano, B.K., Shirko, A.T., Hawitibo, A.L. (2024). Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, 1334799.
  • Impact of credit on household food security: The case of Omo microfinance institution in southern Ethiopia
    Boltana, A., Tafesse, A., Belay, A., Recha, J.W., M.Osano, P. (2023). Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 14, 100903.
  • Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Income Diversification in Sodo Zuria District, Southern Ethiopia
    W/kidan, A., Tafesse, A. (2023). Advances in Agriculture, 2023, 6038569.
  • Irrigated Onion Production Efficiency in Humbo District, Southern Ethiopia
    Tafesse, A., Dema, S., Belay, A. (2023). Cogent Economics and Finance, 11(1), 2207928.
  • Determinants of maize farmers market participation in Southern Ethiopia: Emphasis on demographic, socioeconomic and institutional factors
    Tafesse, A., Gechere, G., Asale, A., Demissie, T.D., Solomon, D. (2023). Cogent Food and Agriculture, 9(1), 2191850.
  • Cassava Production Efficiency in Southern Ethiopia: The Parametric Model Analysis
    Tafesse, A., Mena, B., Belay, A., Endalamaw, T.B., Solomon, D. (2021). Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, 758951.

 

Bashir Olaniyi Sadiq | Smart Agri Awards | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Bashir Olaniyi Sadiq | Smart Agri Awards | Best Researcher Award

Assoc Prof Dr. Bashir Olaniyi Sadiq, Kampala International University , Uganda

Assoc. Prof Dr. Bashir Olaniyi Sadiq currently serves as an Associate Professor and Director of ICT at Kampala International University, Uganda, starting in July 2024. He is also affiliated with the Department of Electrical, Telecommunication & Computer Engineering. His duties include conducting research using advanced equipment, curriculum review, and supervising students in fields like computer communications, IoT, image processing, and ad hoc networks. Additionally, he teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate students in various electrical and computer engineering courses.

Publication profile

Orcid

Academic Qualifications 

Dr. Bashir holds a PhD in Computer Engineering (2018) from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, where he developed a routing protocol for light fidelity-based indoor flying ad hoc networks. He also holds a Master’s in Computer Engineering (2015) from the same university, where his thesis focused on improving edge detection algorithms using Particle Swarm Optimization. He earned his B. Eng in Electrical Engineering in 2011, with a project on TCP and UDP protocol service level analysis.

 

Professional Qualifications

Dr. Bashir has completed various certifications, including the ICT Application in Higher Education (2021) from the Ministry of Commerce, China, and the Huawei Certified Information Professional (HCIP) certification (2020) from Huawei Academy. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Huawei Certified Academy Instructor.

Awards

Dr. Bashir’s research contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the TETFUND Institution-based Research Grant (2019), where he was the Principal Researcher. He also received the Excellent Instructor Award from the Huawei ICT Academy in 2018 and the Petroleum Development Trust Fund (PTDF) Local PhD Scholarship Scheme in 2017.

Research Interests

His research interests include Computer Communications & Networks, Image Processing, Ad hoc Networks, and Computer Engineering Applications. His work focuses on developing and improving network protocols, edge detection algorithms, and integrating new technologies such as IoT into these systems.

Teaching Experience

Dr. Bashir has an extensive teaching portfolio, which includes courses like Advanced Data Analysis, Biomedical Signal and Image Processing, and Computational Modeling and Artificial Intelligence at Kampala International University. At Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, he taught a wide array of subjects, including Network Technology, Digital Signal Processing, and Operating Systems.

Honor Societies

He is a registered member of various prestigious engineering societies, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineers (COREN), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the International Association of Engineers (IAENG), and the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

Publication Top Notes

  • High-tech herding: Exploring the use of IoT and UAV networks for improved health surveillance in dairy farm systems (2024) 🐄📡| DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2024.e02266
  • Maximizing network capacity, control, and management in designing a telemedicine network: A review and recent challenges (2024) 🏥💻 | DOI: 10.4314/njt.v43i1.11
  • Performance Analysis of Various Image Feature Extractor Filters for Pothole Anomaly Classification (2024) 🚗🛤 | DOI: 10.5815/ijigsp.2024.01.03
  • Review of Error Correction in 2D Shingled Magnetic Detection (2023) 📀🛠 | DOI: 10.11113/elektrika.v22n3.265
  • A Comparative Analysis of Symmetric Cryptographic Algorithm as a Data Security Tool: A Survey (2023) 🔐🖥 | | DOI: 10.5281/ZENODO.8313097
  • Energy-aware Message Distribution Algorithm for Enhanced FANET Pipeline Surveillance Reliability (2023) 🛰💡  | DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2023.e01660
  • FANET Experiment: Real-Time Surveillance Applications Connected to Image Processing System (2023) 📷🛸 | | DOI: 10.59568/kjset-2023-2-1-02
  • Statistical LOS/NLOS Classification for UWB Channels (2023) 📡🔎 | Cited by: – | DOI: 10.59568/kjset-2023-2-1-05
  • An adaptive ant colony optimisation for improved lane detection in intelligent automobile vehicles (2022) 🚗🐜 | DOI: 10.1504/ijbic.2022.121225
  • SIFT-CNN Pipeline in Livestock Management: A Drone Image Stitching Algorithm (2022) 🚁🐄 | DOI: 10.3390/drones7010017

Conclusion

Dr. Bashir Olaniyi Sadiq’s extensive research experience, academic qualifications, professional certifications, and teaching expertise make him a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. His contributions to computer engineering, particularly in network protocols and image processing, as well as his awards and leadership roles, highlight his excellence in research and academia.