Mrs. Josephine Mwafuka | Water Resources | Best Researcher Award

assistant professor at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

Josephine Mwafuka (nee Ngirazi) is a dynamic development practitioner with over 17 years of experience in research, innovation, and project management. Her expertise spans Land and Water Resources Management, Agriculture, Food/Nutrition Security, Climate Change, and Natural Resources Management. Currently an Innovation Manager at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, Josephine has demonstrated leadership in building innovation ecosystems and driving research commercialization. Her extensive background includes roles as a research assistant, agriculture tutor, and field officer, with significant contributions to sustainable development projects, food security, and WASH interventions.

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Education 🎓

Josephine Mwafuka is pursuing a DPhil in Land and Water Resources Management at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, with research focusing on sustainable water and land management. She is also studying for a Master’s in Intellectual Property at Africa University, Zimbabwe (2024-2025). She earned her MSc in Integrated Water Resources Management from the University of Zimbabwe, where her dissertation explored the institutional dynamics affecting smallholder irrigation productivity. Josephine also holds a BSc (Hons) in Natural Resources Management and Agriculture from Midlands State University, specializing in land and water resources management. Her education has provided a solid foundation in sustainable development, water quality management, and research methodologies, supported by professional courses such as the Mawazo Fellowship Programme and an advanced international training program in climate change mitigation. Her academic journey reflects a commitment to addressing critical environmental challenges.

Experience 🧑‍🔬

Josephine Mwafuka has over 17 years of professional experience in various roles related to sustainable development. Currently, she serves as the Innovation Manager at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, Zimbabwe, where she manages innovation ecosystems, fosters industry-academia partnerships, and oversees intellectual property commercialization. Before this, she was a Research Assistant at Tugwi Mukosi Multidisciplinary Research Institute, focusing on commercializing university research outputs and coordinating research activities across multiple faculties. Earlier, Josephine worked with organizations such as Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) and the Natural Farming Network, where she implemented agricultural and natural resources interventions to improve food security and livelihoods. She has also held teaching roles in agriculture and environmental management, contributing to capacity building for both students and communities. Her extensive experience demonstrates her versatility in project management, research, and sustainable development.

Research Interests 🔬

Josephine Mwafuka’s research focuses on sustainable development, particularly in land and water resources management, agriculture, and climate change. Her current DPhil research at Midlands State University explores the spatiotemporal dynamics of sediment fluxes around Tugwi Mukosi, Zimbabwe’s largest inland dam, aiming to optimize water resource management for irrigation and environmental sustainability. Josephine’s work often integrates multidisciplinary approaches, combining field research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement to address challenges like soil erosion, irrigation efficiency, and food security. She has a deep interest in the institutional arrangements that govern natural resource management, exploring how these frameworks affect smallholder farmers’ productivity. Josephine also investigates innovative technological solutions for water conservation and climate change adaptation, with an emphasis on creating sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities.

Awards 🏆

Josephine Mwafuka has been recognized for her significant contributions to sustainable development and research. She is a current participant in the prestigious Mawazo Fellowship Programme (2023-2024), which supports women researchers in Africa focusing on innovative research solutions. She has also completed the Advanced International Training Programme on Climate Change – Mitigation and Adaptation (2021), a selective program aimed at building global leadership in climate action. Throughout her career, Josephine has been acknowledged for her ability to foster collaborations between academia and industry, contributing to real-world solutions in the areas of agriculture, water resources management, and food security. Her commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of marginalized communities has garnered respect in both academic and development circles. These accolades underscore her dedication to impactful research and innovation.

Conclusion 🎯