Dr. Neo Mokone | Social Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Post-Doctoral Fellow | University of Mpumalanga | South Africa

Dr. Neo Mokone is an emerging scholar and development practitioner whose work integrates governance, development studies, and public-sector management to address complex socio-economic challenges in South Africa. He currently serves as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Economics, Development, and Business Sciences at the University of Mpumalanga and will assume a Lectureship at Wits Business School in December 2025. His research focuses on development policy, municipal governance, institutional effectiveness, and the socio-economic dimensions of public administration. Dr. Mokone has produced several peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference contributions, with growing citations that reflect the increasing academic engagement with his work. His research output spans areas such as monitoring and evaluation systems, risk-based assurance, governance frameworks, and development planning, often employing interdisciplinary approaches that bridge theory and applied practice. He has collaborated with researchers within South Africa and internationally, contributing to multidisciplinary research teams and policy-oriented projects. Beyond academia, Dr. Mokone has had a significant impact in the public sector, particularly through his leadership roles at Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, where he served as Acting Manager in the Office of the Municipal Manager. In this capacity, he managed strategic operations, stakeholder engagement, policy development, and performance monitoring aligned with municipal development priorities. His leadership extends to various governance and labour structures, including bid evaluation committees, postgraduate forums, labour forums, and community associations. Through a blend of academic scholarship, professional experience, and strategic leadership, Dr. Mokone contributes meaningfully to development discourse and institutional strengthening. His work advances evidence-based decision-making, promotes accountable governance, and supports sustainable socio-economic development across multiple levels of society.

Featured Publications

Mokone, N. W. (2016). Economic contribution of backyard gardens in alleviating poverty in the rural communities of Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, in North West Province, South Africa [Master’s thesis, PQDT-Global]. Citations: 4

Mokone, N., Antwi, M., & Chagwiza, C. (2018). Do socio-economic characteristics of rural backyard farmers’ households drive income generation from backyard farming? Evidence from North West Province, South Africa. Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development, 49(3), 299–307. Citations: 2

Mokone, N., & Gumede, V. (2025). Towards an approach for enhancing water security: The case of South Africa. Journal of Local Government Research and Innovation, 6, 228. Citations: 1

Mokone, N. W. (2023). Assessment of sustainable water security in the Bojanala region in the Northwest Province in South Africa [Doctoral dissertation, PQDT-Global]. Citations: 1

Ndhlovu, E., & Mokone, N. (2025). Leveraging sustainable food systems for achieving Sustainable Development Goals: An overview. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, 14(5), 265–274.

Assist. Prof. Dr. Amsalu Molla Getahun | Social Science Research | Best Researcher Award

Debre Tabor | Debre Tabor University | Ethiopia

Dr. Amsalu Molla Getahun is a dedicated academic and researcher at Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia, whose scholarly work focuses on teacher education, pedagogical competence, and the integration of 21st-century skills in higher education. His research explores how instructors conceptualize and implement modern pedagogical practices to foster globally competent citizens, contributing valuable insights into curriculum design and instructional development across Ethiopian and international contexts.Over the past five years (2020–2025), Dr. Getahun has published six peer-reviewed papers, including notable contributions in Cogent Education, Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, and the Indonesian Journal of Curriculum and Educational Technology Studies. His publications have received 11 citations with an h-index of 1, reflecting the growing influence of his work in educational research and practice. His recent paper, “Teachers’ Pedagogical Competence in Teaching 21st-Century Skills of Global and Local Connectedness” (2025), exemplifies his commitment to enhancing teaching quality and student learning outcomes in developing educational systems.Beyond research, Dr. Getahun actively contributes to the academic community through peer reviewing for reputable journals such as SAGE Open and Professional Development in Education. Between 2024 and 2025, he has completed four verified reviews of manuscripts addressing themes in teacher professional development and educational inequality.Through his scholarly publications, reviews, and international collaborations, Dr. Getahun continues to advance the dialogue on educational innovation, teacher preparedness, and competency-based education. His work not only strengthens the academic foundation of teacher training in Ethiopia but also offers globally relevant perspectives on transforming higher education for the 21st century.

Profiles: Google Scholar | Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate

Featured Publications

Mehiret, G., Molla, A., & Tesfaw, A. (2022). Knowledge on risk factors and practice of early detection methods of breast cancer among graduating students of Debre Tabor University, Northcentral Ethiopia. BMC Women’s Health, 22(1), 183. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01783-2 — Citations: 33
Torborg, A., Meyer, H., El Fiky, M., Fawzy, M., Elhadi, M., Ademuyiwa, A. O., … & Molla, A. (2024). Outcomes after surgery for children in Africa (ASOS-Paeds): a 14-day prospective observational cohort study. The Lancet, 403(10435), 1482–1492. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00345-1 — Citations: 17
Fenta, E., Teshome, D., Kibret, S., Hunie, M., Tiruneh, A., Belete, A., Molla, A., … (2025). Incidence and risk factors of postoperative delirium in elderly surgical patients. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 1400. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01400 — Citations: 15
Getahun, A. M., Endayehu, Y., & Berhanu, G. D. (2021). A case report on leech infestation as a cause of severe anemia in a 10-month-old infant in Ethiopia. International Medical Case Reports Journal, 111–114. https://doi.org/10.2147/IMCRJ.SXXXXX — Citations: 8
Getahun, B. M., Gebeyehu, M. A., Getahun, A. M., & Kassie, Y. G. (2024). Severe hypoglycemia in a diabetic patient with pituitary apoplexy: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports, 18(1), 349. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04349-2 — Citations: 2

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