On November 14, 2025, the Center for West African Studies (CWAS) at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) in partinership with School of Economics and Management (SEM) was proud to announce Tamimu Mohammed Gadafi as the winner for the 2025 Best Paper and Best Researcher Award and Honorary metion certificate to Gladys Wauk.

Ms. Daisy the secretary of academic affirs of SEM extended a sincere gratitude to all professors and students who came to witness the ceremony. She introduced the panel and the three distinguished guests. They were: Professor ZHAO Shurong, Director of the Center for West African Studies; Professor FANG Jiaming, Head of the Department of Business Administration at the School of Economics and Management; Ms. LIU Ying, Director of the Postgraduate Administration Office at the School of Economics and Management.

She stated that, based on the criteria such as journal quality, academic impact, and innovative points, the Review Committee of the Center for West African Studies preliminarily screened three outstanding papers from the candidate submissions for the expert review phase. Following an evaluation by senior experts specially invited by the Center, who assessed the shortlisted entries based on journal quality, impact factor, citation rate, and other dimensions, the “2025 Best Paper & Researcher Award” (1 winner) and the “2025 Best Paper & Researcher Honorable Mention” (1 winner) were ultimately selected.Professor FANG Jiaming was warmly applause for his professional review and commentary on the shortlisted papers.

Ms. LIU Ying was welcome to the stage to announce the winner of the “2025 Best Paper & Researcher Honorable Mention” and present the honorary certificate to Gladys Wauk. Professor ZHAO Shurong was also welcome to the stage to announce the winner of the “2025 Best Paper & Researcher Award Winner” and present the honorary certificate to Tamimu Mohammed Gadafi.

Mr. Tamimu Mohammed Gadafi, a PhD candidate at the School of Economics and Management (SEM), UESTC, has made exceptional contributions to CWAS through a series of impactful research publications and collaborative projects focusing on China-West African e-business risks, digital governance, political economy, development studies, regional integration, and socio-economic policy. His scholarly work reflects deep regional insight, analytical rigor, and a strong commitment to advancing knowledge on West Africa within China’s academic landscape. His contributions have significantly enriched the center’s academic output and outreach activities.

Honorary mention certificate was presented to Mrs Gladys Wauk, also a PhD candidate at the School of Economics and Management (SEM), UESTC for her contribution to CWAS of UESTC. Professor. Zhao Shurong, Director of CWAS of UESTC, gave a speech and encourage students to continue to engage in active resaerch. She  also annouced the 2025 event of the 7th International Symposium on West African Studies (ISWAS) which takes place in Ghana and Togo. The winners also gave their speech by thanking the Director for CWAS and all the team members for their support.

Congratulations to Tamimu Mohammed Gadafi and Gladys Wauk for their achievement and commitment to deepening understanding of West Africa through academic excellence.