Finance Students Secure First and Second Places in Applied Research Awards

Finance students from Ajman University’s College of Business Administration secured both first and second places in the Applied Research Papers Award – Spring 2026, jointly organised by Ajman University and the Department of Finance – Government of Ajman. The award recognises outstanding applied research addressing real-world financial and economic challenges, while promoting collaboration between academia and government to develop practical, evidence-based solutions.

The Applied Research Papers Award challenged senior and graduating students to develop innovative, data-driven research aligned with the Department of Finance's strategic priorities. Participating teams were required to focus on policy applicability, fiscal impact, and technology-enabled solutions, with selected projects having the potential to be explored for implementation within Department of Finance frameworks.

Demonstrating exceptional analytical capability, innovation, and practical relevance, two student teams supervised by Dr Rajesh Mohnot, Professor and Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance, secured first and second places in the competition, receiving prizes of AED 10,000 and AED 6,000, respectively.

The first-place team, consisting of Hosae Shirzad, Nabila Najafi, Hosna Shirzad, Salwa Ayman, conducted their research on the impact of ESG practices on firms’ financial performance. The second-place team, consisting of Mohammed Aflatoon, Mohammed Adnan, Mouder Alrawe and Mohammed Abdullah, conducted their research on the role of fintech and policy initiatives in financing renewable energy projects in emerging markets.

Their success highlights the quality of research being undertaken by Ajman University students and the University's commitment to experiential learning, innovation, and industry engagement.

Commenting on the achievement, Prof. Rajesh Mohnot stated:

“I am extremely proud of our students for their dedication, hard work, and ability to apply academic knowledge to real-world financial and policy challenges. Their success reflects the strength of our Finance programs and demonstrates how meaningful collaboration between academia and government can create impactful solutions for society. This achievement also reinforces our commitment to developing graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also capable of contributing to national development and innovation.”

The award forms part of the broader partnership between Ajman University and the Department of Finance – Government of Ajman, aimed at strengthening collaboration between academia and government through applied research and innovation. The Ajman University Innovation Center (AUIC) contributed to the success of the award and helped strengthen the integration of government expertise and academic capabilities.