Jemima Ottou – Quality in Procurement- Best Researcher Award

Jemima Ottou – Quality in Procurement

Dr.Mrs. Jemima AntwiwaaOttou has over 22 years functional experience as a Quantity Surveyor, Procurement Professional and a Contract Administrator. She has performed duties related to Pre-Contract and Post Contract activities for major construction projects in both Building and CivilEnginee  Worksring. She has worked for Contractors and Consultancy Services in Ghana for both Public and Private Institutions. She has managed several donor funded government construction projects.

In the past 9 years she has acquired experience in teaching and thesis supervision in contract management, procurement, total quality management, occupational health and safety and project management at both the undergraduate and post graduate levels. She is currently the programme coordinator for Project Management, graduate level at the GIMPA Business School. Her research interests include Total Quality Management,Sustainable Development, and Procurement in Construction Project Delivery. She is a Member of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Chartered Institute of Building and Ghana Institute of Procurement and Supply. Her passion for helping the deprived and vulnerable is seen in the selfless consultancy services she provides to organisations in need

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations: 📚🎓

She pursued her education diligently, beginning with her Bachelor of Science in Building Technology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where she laid the foundation for her career in construction. Building upon this, she continued her studies at Coventry University in the UK, earning a Master of Science in Engineering and Management with distinction, showcasing her commitment to excellence. Her academic journey culminated in a PhD in Construction Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where her research focused on enhancing public sector construction procurement through the application of Six Sigma methodologies. Through her educational endeavors, she has demonstrated a strong dedication to advancing her knowledge and skills in the field of construction and management.

 

 EXPERIENCES

 

She has been employed as a Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) since September 2019, where her responsibilities encompass lecturing various courses such as Project Management, Total Quality Management, Contract Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Procurement Management, and Advanced Project Management at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels across multiple campuses. In addition to preparing lecture materials and conducting examinations, she actively engages in thesis supervision for students at both levels and contributes significantly to the development of new programs and training manuals within the institution. She also serves on various committees, including the Research and Publication Committee and the Accreditation Committee. Prior to her current role, she served as an Adjunct Lecturer at GIMPA and the Institute of Distance Learning at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where she similarly lectured on project management-related subjects and supervised student theses. Concurrently, since January 2018, she has held the position of Executive Director at Deprived Community Aid (DECaid), an NGO dedicated to improving access to healthcare, education, and sustainable environmental practices in needy communities. Through DECaid, she has spearheaded various projects aimed at supporting public institutions and vulnerable communities, including providing consultancy services and donating essential supplies to hospitals. Her extensive experience in academia and community development underscores her commitment to both education and social welfare initiatives.

Publication Details:

Conference Papers:

  1. Ottou, J.A., Baiden, B.K. and Nani, G. (2018) ‘Delays in the tendering process of public works procurement in Ghana’, Paper presented at the COBRA Conference, RICS HQ, London, UK, 23–24 April 2018.
  2. Ottou, J.A., Baiden, B.K. and Nani, G. (2019), “Root causes of delays in Ghanaian public sector competitive tendering process”, in Proceeding for the 6th International Conference on Development and Investment in Infrastructure – Strategies for Africa, Livingstone, 24 – 26 July.
  3. Ottou, J.A., Baiden, B.K. Nani, G., and Tuuli, M.M (2021), “Measuring Procurement Performance Using Sigma Level Metric”, in Proceeding for the 8th International Conference on Development and Investment in Infrastructure – Strategies for Africa, Livingstone, 6-7October.

Book Chapter:

  1. Ottou, J.A., Baiden, B.K. and Nani, G. (2020), “Root Causes of Delays in Ghanaian Public Sector Competitive Tendering Process”, Supporting Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development in Africa – Volume I, Sustainability in Infrastructure Development. Springer Nature Switzerland. AG
  2. Sackey, E., Akotia, J. and Ottou, J. A. (2023), “Exploratory Sequential Mixed Method Research to Investigate Factors Affecting the Reputation of PFI/PF2 Projects in the UK”, Taylor &Francis Gratis Copies Mixed Methods Research Design for the Built Environment.

Journal Articles:

  1. Ottou, J.A., Baiden, B.K. and Ofori – Kuragu, J. K. (2016), “The Use of Six Sigma as a Performance Improvement Strategy in the Construction Industry: New Trends and Applications”, International Journal of Engineering and Management Research, Vol. 6, Iss.1,pp. 538-546.
  2. Ottou, J.A., Baiden, B.K. and Nani, G. (2019), “Gaps in public procurement records management”, J. Procurement Management, Vol. 12, No. 5, pp. 493-517.
  3. Ottou, J.A., Baiden, B.K. and Nani, G. (2020), “Six sigma project procurement application in public procurement”, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 38 No. 2, pp. 646-662. Doi: 10.1108/IJQRM- 04-2019-0111.
  4. Ottou, J. Baiden, B. K., Nani, G. and Tuuli, M. M. (2021) “Benefits of Implementing Six Sigma in Competitive Tendering Process”, Built Environment Project and Asset Management.11 (2), 214-230 https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-07-2020-0117

 

karam Ignaim – Software Engineering – Best Researcher Award

karam Ignaim – Software Engineering

Dr. Karam Ignaim distinguished academic and researcher in the field software Engineering, Since 2021, she has been serving as an Assistant Professor at Al-Balqa’ Applied University in Jordan, a role she continues to fulfill. Her responsibilities encompass teaching and examining various subjects, including Human Computer Interaction, Software Engineering Principles, Software Maintenance and Evolution, and Requirements Engineering and Formal Specifications. Prior to this, from 2005 to 2015, she held the position of Teaching Assistant at the same university, where she contributed to the instruction and examination of a diverse range of subjects such as Visual Programming in Software Engineering, Enterprise Resource Planning, and Formal Methods in Software Engineering.

Over the years, she has demonstrated expertise in areas like Software Project Management, Web Computing, and Microprocessor Systems, fostering an environment conducive to learning and skill development. Her commitment to the field of software engineering is evident through her extensive teaching experience and proficiency in various computer-related disciplines.

🌐 Professional Profiles

Educations: 📚🎓

She pursued her academic journey with a Ph.D. in Software Engineering at the University of Minho in Braga, Portugal, a pursuit that commenced in 2015 and continues to the present. Prior to this, she earned a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Al-Balqa’ Applied University in AL-Salt, Jordan, between 2003 and 2005. Her educational foundation began with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Al-Balqa’ Applied University in AL-Salt, Jordan, where she completed her studies from 1997 to 2002. This academic progression reflects her dedication to advancing her knowledge and expertise in the field of computer science and software engineering.

 

Awards and Achievements: 🏆👏

  • She has been the recipient of notable scholarships throughout her academic journey, attesting to her academic achievements and commitment. During her pursuit of a Master’s degree, she was awarded the BAU Scholarship. Subsequently, as she embarked on her Ph.D. in Software Engineering, she earned the prestigious Erasmus Mundus – Action2 scholarship, showcasing her dedication to academic excellence. Additionally, she gained valuable practical experience through an internship at Bosch Car Multimedia company in Braga, Portugal, further enhancing her knowledge and skills in the field. These accomplishments highlight her academic prowess and the recognition she has received for her contributions to the field of computer science and software engineering.

Membership

 Throughout her academic and professional journey, she actively engaged in various roles and committees, underscoring her commitment to student welfare and the enhancement of educational programs. In 2010, she served as a Member in Student Issues at Al-Balqa Applied University, demonstrating her dedication to addressing and advocating for student-related concerns. Simultaneously, she took on the role of a Member in the Social Committee at the Prince Abdullah Ben Ghazi Faculty of Science and Information Technology, Department of IT. Additionally, she contributed to the academic community by participating as a Member in the 2nd Jordan International Conference of Computer Science and Engineering in December 2006. Her involvement extended to contributing insights and expertise as a Member of the Software Engineering Undergraduate Courses Committee in both the academic years 2005/2006 and 2008/2009. These diverse roles showcase her active participation in academic and social initiatives, fostering a collaborative and enriching environment within the university community.
📚Top Noted Publication

Fawaz Annaz- High Integrity Systems – Best Researcher Award

Fawaz Annaz- High Integrity Systems

Dr. Fawaz Annaz  distinguished academic and researcher in the field High Integrity System. He is an accomplished Associate Professor in Mechatronics, boasting an impressive 26-year career marked by international acclaim in teaching, research, and curriculum development. As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he possesses exemplary skills in teaching and learning. His fervor lies in instructing electrical, electronics, and mechatronics engineering, engaging students and collaborating with diverse staff backgrounds. A Chartered Engineer, he is dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for multidisciplinary engineering challenges. His expertise extends to the design and development of Smart Electromechanical Actuators in High Integrity Systems, a New Breed of Industrial Robots (with a secured European Patent), and Novel Drive Technology (also with a secured European Patent). With a proven international research record, he has successfully secured approximately 1.414 million in funding. Notably, he holds a European patent in robotics and has a pending US patent application. A polyglot, he effectively communicates ideas and conclusions to both specialists and non-specialists alike.

Professional Profiles:

Education

He earned in September 1996 from Queen Mary University of London. His research focused on the architecture design of smart electromechanical actuators, with a particular emphasis on their application in high-integrity multi-lane systems. The work made substantial contributions to the development of All-Electric Aircraft, leading to numerous international peer-reviewed publications. Currently, he continues to explore additional actuator architectures and investigates the impact of drift in transducer readings on system response. His innovative concepts have transcended aviation, resulting in a European patent for a new breed of industrial robots, registered in the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland.

He earned a Master of Science in November 1989 from the University of East London, specializing in the engineering of dynamic systems. His thesis delved into the mathematical modeling and digital simulation of helical induction motors, along with the application of sliding mode control for position and torque control. This research laid the groundwork for advancements in planar actuators, crucial for a reaction-sphere system designed to replace gyroscopes in satellites. His findings have not only resulted in peer-reviewed publications but have also formed the basis for joint research collaborations with British Aerospace. These collaborations extend to diverse applications, including electric vehicles, high-speed trains, and boring machines.

 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Throughout his tenure at Birmingham City University (BCU), He has been a driving force in advancing research and enterprise activities, particularly in the field of mechatronics. As evidenced by his proactive approach, he has consistently taken the lead in coordinating research initiatives and encouraging collaborative efforts, both in research and Ph.D. proposal submissions. Dr. [Your Name] has played a pivotal role in securing funding for various internal projects at BCU. Notably, his involvement in 14 internal applications has resulted in five successful endeavors, such as the CEBE Dean’s Ph.D. Scholarships for 2023-24 and the University Alliance Marie Sklodowska-Curie Cofund Consortium in 2021.

In addition to his success in internal applications, He has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing research infrastructure by leading efforts to acquire state-of-the-art equipment. His leadership in coordinating applications for research equipment, totaling £345,821, has contributed to elevating the quality of research in mechatronics, dynamics, and control. Notably, one successful application for a Swarm UAV Platform secured £4,421, showcasing his dedication to facilitating cutting-edge research tools that benefit both teaching and research activities.

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI BRUNEI

• Led joint research in mechatronics and robotics with the MoD, Royal Police, Shell, and other
local farming industries.
• Benefits and major applications included local crop enhancement, oil rigs monitoring; and Joint
grant application to develop UAV platforms to monitor boarders and oilrigs

UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM (MALAYSIA CAMPUS)
• Investigated smart electromechanical actuators in High Integrity Systems
• Initiated the hardware-virtual-environment concept to monitor and navigate two and three
(omni driven) wheeled robots.
• Supervised several MSc students, 2 PhDs (one to completions) and one MPhil. PhD Topics
included:
⁓ Novel generation of industrial robots (resulted in EU patent).
⁓ Distinct mathematical signatures for speech (completed a US Patent).
• Investigated (with Senri Kinran University _Japan) the impact of mechatronics on the Japanese
aging population in homes for the elderly, particularly those with special physical needs.
FUKUI UNIVERSITY (FUKUI, JAPAN)
• Established the ‘High-Integrity Systems’ (HIS) laboratory, where I Hosted Japanese and
international undergraduate & postgraduate students to investigate architectures consolidation
in HIS, and application of vibration control to multi-hinged and chained system

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY (TSUKUBA, JAPAN)
Conducted research on:
• Vibration Control (VC) to multi-hinged and mass-spring (linear/rotary) chained systems.
• Active magnetic bearing systems in applications that required long shafts.
• Artificial heart development, focus on efficiency improvement and Impeller stability analysis.
SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC
• Smart Electromechanical Actuators (SEMA): Continued investigating architecture
consolidation in SEMAs for the All-Electric Aircraft
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Propulsion System Development: I was an active member of the team
that delivered the first EV in Singapore 1996/7, and because of my experience in Brushless dc
motor (utilised in the design of the smart electromechanical actuation systems, PhD research)
my role was mainly related to the EV’s propulsion system development.
QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON (UK)
o PhD Research: Design of multi-Lane smart actuators for the all-electric aircraft
o Post MSc: Modelling and simulation of sliding mode of helical and planar actuators

PUBLICATIONS