Irene Govender | Programming | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Prof. Dr. Irene Govender | Programming | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Irene Govender, Professor at University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Professor Irene Govender is a full professor in Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) with a distinguished career marked by her contributions to computing and technology in academia. As an NRF-rated researcher, she has explored critical intersections between education, technology, and interdisciplinary research, with a focus on empowering students through innovative teaching methods and leveraging technology to improve educational outcomes. With over 90 publications in peer-reviewed journals and numerous contributions to international conferences, Professor Govender is recognized globally for her scholarly excellence and dedication to advancing research in IS&T. Her experience as an academic leader and extensive network of international collaborations highlight her commitment to promoting academic excellence and fostering partnerships that drive meaningful change in the field of Information Systems and beyond.

Profile

ORCID

Education

Professor Govender’s academic journey is rooted in a strong foundation of scientific and technological study, including a Ph.D. in Computing. Her education reflects a deep and ongoing commitment to understanding and advancing the fields of computer science and technology. She earned her MSc in Computer Science with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence, building on her BSc in Computer Science and Mathematics. Additionally, her early training included a Junior Secondary Education Diploma (JSED) in Mathematics and Physics, coupled with a teaching diploma that paved the way for her role in academia. Her education and professional qualifications are further complemented by her involvement with esteemed professional bodies, including SACLA, SAICSIT, ACM, IEEE, and ISI, where she has remained an active member, continually engaging with the latest research and development in her field.

Experience

Professor Govender has served in academia for several decades, most notably as an academic leader of IS&T from 2014 to 2020. During this tenure, she led numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing educational practices and research output within the department. She has taught a wide range of modules, including research methodology, systems design, networking and security, programming, and mobile application development, imparting critical knowledge and skills to students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has also contributed to global academic discussions by serving as a reviewer for various NRF committees, international journals, and conference proceedings. Her role as an external examiner and part of the institutional audit teams across different universities showcases her expertise and authority in IS&T. In her career, she has supervised and guided over 20 master’s and doctoral students, supporting them through research and professional development, thus contributing to the growth of future researchers in the field.

Research Interest

Professor Govender’s research interests span a wide range of interdisciplinary areas that bring together technology, education, and societal impact. Her primary areas of focus include Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), Big Data Analytics, and ICT4D, with more recent explorations into robotics and coding for teachers. Her interest in technology for teaching and learning has driven her to develop innovative ways to use mobile and digital platforms for education, making her research both timely and highly impactful. Additionally, her work in computational thinking has involved developing resources and strategies for youth, helping them cultivate critical skills through mobile and digital platforms. This unique combination of educational technology and interdisciplinary research has positioned her as a thought leader in the IS&T community, with significant contributions to discussions on the role of technology in transforming education and supporting development in underserved communities.

Awards

Professor Govender’s contributions to IS&T have been recognized through several accolades, which underscore her dedication to research and academic service. She is an NRF-rated researcher, which highlights her standing as a scholar of high caliber within the South African research community. Her service as the Chief Examiner for the national senior certificate for IT, along with her role in academic audits and external examination panels, reflects her commitment to upholding standards of excellence in education. Additionally, her reputation as an invited speaker at international conferences and symposiums has earned her widespread respect among her peers and in the broader academic community. These recognitions serve as a testament to her contributions to academia and her role as an inspiring figure in the field of Information Systems and Technology.

Publications

Fostering Youth Wellbeing Through mHealth Apps: Embracing Physical Activity for a Healthier Lifestyle (2024) – Book chapter in Crossref, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-50192-0_35.
Enhancing Learning Engagement: A Study on Gamification’s Influence on Motivation and Cognitive Load (2024) – Education Sciences, DOI: 10.3390/educsci14101115.
UX/UI Design of Online Learning Platforms and Their Impact on Learning (2022) – International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science, DOI: 10.20525/ijrbs.v11i10.2236.
Digital Game-Based Learning for Information Technology (2022) – E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, DOI: 10.38159/ehass.20223137.
THE ROLE OF E-BOOKS IN ICT INTEGRATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SWAZILAND (2019) – Conference paper at University of Kwazulu Natal.
Students’ Views on the Use of Facebook as an Online Learning Management System (2019) – Conference paper at University of Kwazulu Natal.
Information Technology Policy Formulation for Socio-economic Growth (2019) – Conference paper at University of Kwazulu Natal.

Conclusion

Professor Irene Govender’s scholarly achievements and her contributions to IS&T reflect a deep commitment to advancing technology in education and interdisciplinary research. Her work spans teaching, research, and service to the academic community, demonstrating a broad and impactful career. Her dedication to mentoring students and fostering an environment of innovation in education is evident through her collaborations and wide-ranging research interests, which include OOP, Big Data, and ICT4D. Professor Govender’s reputation as a researcher and educator makes her an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award, as she continues to set high standards in her field while inspiring others to explore the transformative potential of technology in education and beyond.

 

Jan Pezda | History |Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Dr.Jan Pezda | History |Best Researcher Award

Assistant professor University of Ostrava  Czech Republic

Jan Pezda is a dedicated academic specializing in modern history with a focus on East Central Europe, particularly the Czech lands during the Habsburg Empire era. With a strong educational foundation and numerous accolades, Jan has contributed significantly to the understanding of tourism, physical culture, and social practices in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Profile

ORCiD

Education

🎓 Ph.D. in Czech and Czechoslovak History (2021), University of Ostrava, Czech Republic. His dissertation, Tourism and Spatiotemporal Imagination of Middle-Class Citizens and Villagers in the Nineteenth Century, explores the intersection of social practices and tourism. 🎓 Master’s degree in Modern Economic and Social History (2016), University of Ostrava, Czech Republic.

Experience

🧑‍🏫 Assistant Professor (since 2022), University of Ostrava. 🧑‍🏫 Teacher (since 2021), Elementary School in Bohumín. 🌐 Erasmus Exchange (2018), The University of Passau, Germany, where he spent six months enriching his academic perspectives.

Research Interests

🔍 Research Interests: Jan Pezda’s research delves into the modern history of East Central Europe, emphasizing the Czech lands under the Habsburg Empire. His work examines nationalism, body, gender, sexuality, popular urban culture, physical culture, and tourism during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Awards

🏆 Awards and Grants:

  • SGS02/FF/2021-2022: Focused on Czechoslovak society during the interwar period.
  • SGS01/FF/2019: Investigated economic and social history of Moravia and Silesia.
  • Moravian-Silesian Regional Council Grant (2017-2020): For talented postgraduates.
  • Award of the Rector of University of Ostrava (2014): For successful representation.
  • National Student Scientific Conference (2014): 1st Place and Special Award for Best Paper.

Publications

📚 Monographs:

  • Slunce, voda, vzduch. Zrod moderního turismu [Sun, Water, Air. The Birth of Modern Tourism] (forthcoming, 2025).

📘 Chapters in Monographs and Proceedings:

  • Pezda, Jan ‒ Klement, Martin (2023). Showers in the Prague Sokol Club by Miloš Jiránek (1903). In: A History of Sport in Europe in 100 Objects. Hildesheim: Arete Verlag Hildesheim, pp. 398-401.
  • Pezda, Jan (2021). Kult masa. Tělotvorba, „muskulinita“ a Frištenský okolo roku 1900. In: Bendová, Eva – Hojda, Zdeněk (eds.): Od práce k zábavě. Volný čas v české kultuře 19. století. Praha, pp. 160-187.
  • Pezda, Jan – Klement, Martin (2021). Přemysl’s Soldiers and Libuše’s Companions. On Gender and the Limits of Female Emancipation in the Sokol Gymnastic Movement. In: Cleophas, Francois Johannes (ed.): Critical Reflections on Physical Culture at the Edges of Empire. Stellenbosch, pp. 57-83.
  • Pezda, Jan (2019). Industrializace venkovského času (1842-1861). In: Hrdina, Martin – Piorecká, Kateřina – Bendová, Eva (eds.): Pochopit vteřinu. Prožívání času v české kultuře 19. století. Praha, pp. 64-76.
  • Pezda, Jan (2016). A smallholder on the road. Selected aspects of pilgrimages and travel in the second half of the 19th century, based on the example of Josef Stříž (1833-1905). In: Teterycz-Puzio, Agniezska – Kościelak, Lech – Łączyńska, Ewa (eds.): Via viatores quaerit. Mobilność społeczna w dziejach krajów Grupy Wyszehradzkiej. Słupsk, pp. 379-398.
  • Pezda, Jan (2014). K vybraným aspektům poutnictví a cestování ve druhé polovině 19. století na příkladu chalupníka Josefa Stříže. In: Čadková, Kateřina (ed.): Historie 2013. Sborník prací z 19. celostátní studentské vědecké konference konané 3.−4. dubna 2014 v Pardubicích. Pardubice, pp. 175-199.