Happy Edwards Uwayesu | Agri Waste Management | Young Scientist Award

Mr. Happy Edwards Uwayesu | Agri Waste Management | Young Scientist Award

Student | Suzhou university of science and technology | China

Happy Edwards Uwayesu is a dedicated researcher specializing in environmental depletion, recovery and protection, with a strong focus on Environmental and Development Economics as applied to emerging ecological challenges in developing regions. His research primarily investigates natural resource depletion, climate-change drivers such as deforestation, and the socio-economic dimensions of environmental degradation, while his emerging interests explore sustainable policy solutions, watershed protection, and ecological risk assessment across fragile ecosystems. Uwayesu has contributed academically through his role at Suzhou University of Science and Technology, where he engages in analytical and field-based environmental studies related to waste management, aquatic ecosystem protection, and sustainable policy design. His key contributions include landmark analyses such as The Bases for Regional Growth: A Review, which examines agricultural and applied economics in developing areas, and innovative studies on urban transportation impacts such as assessing the environmental role of bodaboda systems in Uganda and proposing policy structures for more sustainable mobility. He has advanced scientific understanding of aquatic ecosystem deterioration through investigations into biomass arrangements at Nakiwogo Landing Site and their influence on fish habitats and lake vibrational patterns, while his evaluation of ASM1 parameters using large-scale wastewater treatment plant data has expanded methodological insight for wastewater modelling in subtropical climates. Additional contributions include influential datasets and publications on resource depletion, climate change from deforestation in Tanzania, and environmental risk assessments around sensitive natural resource zones in Southern Nigeria and Uganda, reflecting a commitment to accessible, data-driven environmental knowledge. His collaborative works also extend to comparative studies of hydropower, fossil fuel systems, and other energy sources in relation to their environmental impacts, offering new perspectives for sustainable energy transitions. Beyond individual research outputs, Uwayesu’s work frequently intersects with policy relevance, offering frameworks for improved environmental stewardship, reduction of project delays linked to ecological mismanagement, and strategies for enhancing the resilience of local communities reliant on natural resources. His vision centers on fostering a scientifically informed, economically balanced, and socially responsible approach to conservation, aiming to support governments, industry actors, and communities in adopting sustainable practices that mitigate environmental degradation while enabling long-term development. Through his contributions, he seeks to strengthen global understanding of environmental decline and advocate for innovative, scalable solutions that protect ecosystems, advance climate resilience, and promote sustainable growth in vulnerable regions.

Profile: Google Scholar | ORCID

Featured Publications

1. Uwayesu, H. E., & Clark, E. (2025). The bases for regional growth: A review. Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

2. Uwayesu, H., Huang, Z., & Zhou, H. (2025). Environment role of bodaboda and the Environment: Policy management and solutions to make boda boda system in Uganda a home place to stay. Environment Role of Bodaboda and Policy Management.

3. Uwayesu, H. E., Baguma, G., & Zhou, H. (2025). The effect of biomass arrangement on Nakiwogo Landing Site: Effect on fish and other habitat on Lake Victoria Congugated CN vibrations.

4. Uwayesu, H. E., & Zhou, H. (2025). Evaluation of ASM1 parameters using large-scale WWTP monitoring data from a subtropical climate in Entebbe. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5172361

5. Uwayesu, H. (2025). Why projects in Uganda delay to the extent of affecting other projects in progress. Figshare. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28511768

Aifani Confidence Tahulela | Sustainable Waste Management | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Aifani Confidence Tahulela | Sustainable Waste Management | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | Durban University of Technology | South Africa

Dr. Aifani Confidence Tahulela is a distinguished researcher currently serving as Research Coordinator at the BRICS Research Institute, Durban University of Technology, South Africa, where she develops and leads collaborative research strategies across BRICS nations. She is pursuing her PhD at Durban University of Technology, building on her academic foundation with an MTech and BTech in Public Management (both Cum Laude) from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and a National Diploma from the Central University of Technology. Her research focuses on sustainable waste management, circular economy development, and international cooperation on environmental governance. She has authored impactful publications, including contributions to Sustainable Waste Management: Policies and Case Studies (Springer, 2020), and recent studies in Sustainability and Taylor & Francis volumes addressing global environmental cooperation and household waste management. Dr. Tahulela’s international recognition includes multiple awards such as the Best Research Paper Award at HAMID University, Qatar (2021), BRICS Postgraduate Forum Best Paper Award (2022), Space Science PhD Award (2022), and Project Leader of the Year, BRICS (2023). She has also secured competitive scholarships from the National Research Foundation, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the China Scholarship Council. Beyond her research, she has contributed to academic development through roles at North West University and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, organizing workshops, supervising theses, and mentoring early-career researchers. Her expertise spans both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, supported by proficiency in SPSS, NVIVO, and Atlas.ti. Dr. Tahulela also plays an active role in international academic collaboration, having organized major conferences such as the 10th World Toilet Association International Conference on Waste, Water, and Sanitation. With her strong editorial contributions and her commitment to advancing global sustainability dialogues, she continues to make significant scholarly and policy impacts in the fields of sustainable development and environmental governance.

Profile: Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

  1. 1. Tahulela, A. C., & Ballard, H. H. (2019). Developing the circular economy in South Africa: Challenges and opportunities. Sustainable Waste Management: Policies and Case Studies: 7th IconSWM—ISWMAW.

  2. 2. Tahulela, A. C. (2017). Effect of social norms and attitudes towards domestic waste in a selected formal settlement in the Western Cape, South Africa. Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

  3. 3. Tahulela, A. C., Tshikovhi, N., & Netswera, F. (2023). BRICS and global environmental cooperation: An assessment of sustainability pathways beyond COP26. Taylor & Francis.

  4. 4. Tahulela, A. C., Hashemi, S., & Lourens, M. E. (2025). Household waste disposal under structural and behavioral constraints: A multivariate analysis from Vhembe District, South Africa. Sustainability.

  5. 5. Liang, X., Liang, C., Guan, J., & Tahulela, A. (2023). Emerging trends and strategic responses in quantitative empirical research on cultural novelty. Journal of Sociology and Ethnology.