Category: ESI Fellows (October 2025 - September 2026)

Sijousa Basumatary completed his schooling at St. Antony’s School, Gossaigaon, in 2002 and earned a Master’s degree in Economics from Gauhati University, Kokrajhar Campus, in 2012. He joined Bodoland University as an Assistant Professor in 2014 and obtained his Ph.D. in Economics from the same institution in 2023. At Bodoland University, Sijousa Basumatary teaches Statistics, Mathematics, and Econometrics for Economic applications at the postgraduate level. Since 2025, he has also been actively involved in teaching Ph.D. coursework and supervising doctoral research, currently guiding two scholars. His research interests lie in the areas of rural development, climate change, and energy economics, with a focus on the interlinkages between energy use, sustainability, and economic development. Beyond academics, he maintains a keen interest in reading and sports. Research Topic: Bhutan-Origin River’s Impact in Assam: A Study on the Vulnerability and Adaptation of Households in Key Downstream Districts (With special focus on Kokrajhar and Chirang Districts) University Affiliation: Grigol Robakidze University, Tbilisi, Georgia Research Advisor: Prof. Tengiz Taktakishvili

Prof. Sanjeev Wagh Senior IEEE member, currently serving as a Principal / Professor at Department of information Technology & Computer Science & Engineering at Government College of Engineering Karad India. Prof. Wagh completed his Bachelor (1996), Master (2000) & Doctorate (Feb 2009) in Computer Science & Engineering from Govt. College of Engineering, Pune & Nanded. He was full time Post Doctorate fellow at Center for TeleInfrastructure, Aalborg University, Denmark during 2013-14. He has also completed MBA in IT from NIBM (2015). Dr. Wagh also received Honorary Doctrine of Science (D.Sc.) for his contribution to academics and technical societies. Dr. Wagh has almost three decades of academic, research and administrative experience. He actively promotes the development of critical thinking and analytical problem-solving abilities among students through his teaching methods. Research Topic: Data analysis & evaluations on biological rhythms University Affiliation: La Laguna University, Spain Research Advisor: Carlos Javier Bethencourt Estrella, PhD, La Laguna University, Spain

Saniela graduated at University of Tirana and holds the grade “Doctor of Science” in Political Sciences. Her academic experience began as Assistant Lecturer at the same university to which she is affiliated, and continues with 12 years of experience as a full/part time Lecturer/ Researcher in some HEI-s. Apart from the teaching she hold tasks related with project implementations; conference organizing and as part of Editorial Boards. She referred in conferences and published academic papers. Lately is invited as reviewer in scientific journals. She has been contracted as external expert, and also leads a regional public institution. Her research interests are focused in public administration, governance and research methods. Research Topic: The progress of the dynamics of the value profile of the electorate of Tirana in the dimension of survival/self-affirmation values ​​in recent years. University Affiliation: Grigol Robakidze University, Georgia Research Advisor: Dr. Mikheil Gogatishvili, Grigol Robakidze University, GRUNI

Dr. Nino Sachaleli is a researcher and associated professor at Grigol Robakidze University, specializing in sustainable development, agritourism, and the intersection of tourism and rural economies. Her academic work explores how agri and wine tourism contribute to regional growth and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She has published in international journals and contributed as a guest editor to research on tourism industry resilience and innovation. Dr. Sachaleli is dedicated to advancing business and tourism education in Georgia and fostering sustainable approaches to economic and community development. Research Topic: Integrating Sustainability Education into Rural Tourism Development: Models for Agritourism and Community Growth University Affiliation:  The University of La Laguna, Spain Research Advisor:  Prof. Josué Gutiérrez Barroso, University of La Laguna, Spain

PhD in Documentation: Archives and Libraries in the Digital Environment and Master’s in Archives and Libraries, with training in Computer Systems. She worked at the Library of the National Polytechnic School and had an internship at the Constitutional Court of Spain in 2024. Currently, she serves as the National Representative of Ecuador on the Steering Committee of GERIBEAU – the Latin American Archives Association. She is a full-time teacher in Archival Science and Library Science at the Technical University of Manabí and other higher education institutions in Ecuador and abroad. She has participated in the development of the Ecuadorian Technical Standard for Archival Description and has implemented Koha, AtoM, and DSpace in various libraries and archival services nationwide. Research Topic: Influence of ecuadorian ludotec in the learning of children who are 3 to 4 years old University Affiliation: Universidad de La Laguna Research Advisors: Carmen A. Perdomo López, Universidad de La Laguna Zeus Plasencia Carballo, Universidad de La Laguna

Hajdi Xhixha is a political scientist researching how ideological narratives, militarised citizenship, and state-controlled identity shape governance and legitimacy in Eastern Europe and hybrid regimes. Her work combines political theory, security studies, and post-Soviet transformation, with publications in Security and Defence Quarterly, SAGE Open, the Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe, and Routledge volumes. She earned a PhD in International Relations from the University of Tirana and initially studied Russian language and literature. As Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Security Studies at UBT, Prishtina, she advocates for interdisciplinary programmes and engages in global discussions on security, democracy, and European integration.   Research Topic:   Forging the Garrison Mindset: Social Militarisation, Regime Legitimation, and Russia’s Confrontational Foreign Policy Toward the EU (2020–Present) University Affiliation:   University of La Laguna, Spain Research Advisor:   Prof. Francisco Flores Muñoz, University of La Laguna, Spain

I was born in 1981 in Baku, Azerbaijan. I am an economist and university lecturer with over fifteen years of experience in public diplomacy programs, higher education, and international programs and budget management. I currently serve as a Resource and Budget Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Baku, overseeing budget planning and grants for public diplomacy programs. Alongside my professional role, I teach Microeconomics and Macroeconomics in the Austrian–Azerbaijani academic program with IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences. I hold a Ph.D. in Economics. I completed both my Bachelor’s degree and MBA  at the Azerbaijan State University of Economics. Research Topic: The Role of Economic Diplomacy and Artificial Inteligente in Driving Sustainable Economic Diversification After Crisis: A Framework for Emerging and Transition Economies University Affiliation: University of La Laguna, Spain Research Advisor:        Prof. Francisco Flores Munoz, University of La Laguna, Spain

Education:  In 2005, I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, in 2009, with master’s degree (clinical psychologist) at Baku State University. During 2018-2024, I did doctoral research in geriatric psychology. At the same time, I successfully participated in a number of programs at ADA University in 2018-2020. Since 2012, I have been working as a psychologist in the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice. During this period, I have been participating in the process of providing psychological assistance to vulnerable group members in different diversity. At the same time, since 2017, I have been greatly satisfied with increasing my knowledge in the academic field through teaching activities, as well as sharing what I have learned with students. Since education is a lifelong process, continuous learning and research with students in this direction gives me great satisfaction.   Research Topic:   Competence of university teachers: Students’ review analysis University Affiliation  Budapest Metropolitan University Research Advisor:  Professor Vilmos Vass

Currently C.E.O of Vermont Technologies India, have many years of leadership experience in management of high Tech SMEs, training, and consultancy.  I received my Ph.D. from International Graduate School of Business (IGSB) of University of South Australia (UniSA) (EQUIS Accredited) for the research work in technology scanning in high Tech SMEs. My research interests are in – Cognitive study of SMEs owner-Managers, Strategic Technology Management, Technology adoption models, and innovation for sustainability. I was Research Scholar at Sol C. Snider Entrepreneurial Research Center, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA. Research Topic: “Post Crisis Shifts in Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) of Owner -Managers in High-Tech SMEs: An Exploratory Study” Uuniversity Affiliation: Grigol Robakidze University, GRUNI Research Advisor: Dr. Vakhtang Charaya

Blerina Dhrami was graduated at University “La Sapienza” Rome, Italy (Faculty of Business Administration), during the period 2000 – 2006 earning the Bachelor and Master of Science degree. From the period 2010-2012 she earned a MBA degree at University of Tirana, Faculty of Economy. Actually she holds a PhD degree in Public Governance at University Tor Vergata, Faculty of Economy. Dr. Dhrami exercises the profession of Pedagogue/Lecturer since 2013, and also holding important administrative tasks during her career path inside higher education institutions. Her research interests are focused in the field of business administration, public administration, and labor economics Research Topic: Citizen perception on the transparency while using online public services: Case study Albania University Affiliation: Grigol Robakidze University, GRUNI Research Advisor: Dr. Amiran Mosulishvili, Grigol Robakidze University, GRUNI 

Dr. Aroop Saha is a researcher with a deep interest in Indigenous Literature, Postcolonial Studies, Cultural Studies, and Literary Theory. He currently serves as the Director of the UITS Research Center and an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Information Technology & Sciences (UITS), Bangladesh. Over the course of his career since 2007, Dr. Saha has taught both undergraduate and graduate students at several well-known universities across Bangladesh. He earned his Ph.D. in English from Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh, following his M.A. and B.A. in English from BRAC University, Bangladesh.   Research Topic: Indigenous Wounds of the Signs: Post-Crisis Period’s Semiotic Violence and the Limits of Representation in National Literature of Bangladesh University Affiliation: University of Saint Joseph, Macao Research Advisor: /