The World Association for Academic Doctors issues 2020 Conference Communique

The World Association for Academic Doctors, founded by Dr. Henrietta Okoro and Colorado Technical University, sponsored the 4th Global Conference through a virtual platform on October 21-22, 2020. Over one thousand two hundred (1200) participants registered for the conference. The conference theme “The Wave of the Future: Perspectives of Entrepreneurship, Education, and Technology,” attracted researchers from 65 countries and Presenters from various countries that include the following: Algeria, Australia, Egypt, Lesotho, Nigeria, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, and multiple states in the U.S.A among others. The below summaries were drawn from the two-day event:

DAY ONE

• Rae Denise Madison served as the conference Chairperson and welcomed all participants. The conference is the 4th global academic conference (a virtual conference jointly hosted by the World Association for Academic Doctors (WAAD) and Colorado Technical University (CTU). It provided the World Association for Academic Doctors the opportunity to connect members, the Colorado Technical University, and attendees in a conference setting. Members experienced the “New Normal” that the Corona Virus Pandemic has brought.
• Conference participants used Meeting Technologies to give their presentations effectively, using Zoom Meeting Technologies. The unique opportunity that the virtual conference provided showed the ability to bridge time and distance and at significant cost savings for all attendees.
• Researchers worldwide presented complex issues and strategies through data-driven results of Entrepreneurship, Education and Technology.
• Rae Denise Madison opened the conference and welcomed all participants. She introduced Dr. Henrietta Okoro, the Founder/President, and she gave her opening remarks. She explained the history of WAAD to conference participants.
• Connie Johnson, the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of Colorado Technical University and keynote speaker, spoke on the Changing Educational Environment. She mentioned several emerging areas of scholarship in higher education.
• Ezenekwe Uju Regina & other Researchers outlined the interest and increasing dimension of Migrant Remittance and Growth Outburst within the Nigerian Financial space and its long-term Social Cohesion implications.
• Dawa Sherpa provided a great perspective on Nepal’s Indigenous Knowledge and School Leadership within the community engagement space.
• Rajanique Nikki outlined the role of Single-Parent in work engagement in the presentation, focusing on African American women and how it affects their performance.
• Ramesh Venkatakrishnan delved into big data, and its implementation in clinical data within the health management industry impacts quick data analysis for optimum output.
• Earl Suttle introduced a different dimension to the conference when he provided insight into how conference attendees could reach their true potential during times of tremendous uncertainties like the COVID-19 pandemic. He outlined the ABC of potential to include Association, Believe, and Courage. Courage to continued learning despite our Fears.
• At the presentation, Dr. Henrietta Okoro laid out the Synergistic coherence for effective Software Development within the Project management space. The feasibility of projects in software development.
• Adeela Rehman explored the challenges COVID-19 portends for virtual teaching and learning and the learning curve for students.
• Genevieve O. Ariguzo provides insight into the causes and consequences of organizational conflict within Nigeria tertiary institutions.
• Ali Wahid provided a predictive model to detect influenza outbreaks using social media and official CDC data.
• Calvin Nobles explore the Good, Bad, and Ugly of remote working during Covid-19 from the Cybersecurity perspective. He provided a fascinating insight into professional identity in a remote environment and the personal climate interface instead of a team-based work environment—stressor on the remote worker’s supervision.
• At the presentation, Charchafa Ilyes discussed E-learning by University Students in Algeria: An empirical evidence from Setif1 University. This study aimed to explore the reality of using E-learning by university students in Algeria.
• Latifa Zhouri, Cocksfoots’ hybrids behavior under Mediterranean environment study showed a large variability between genotypes.
• Fonda Na’Desh and Janet McCollum spoke about preparing students to succeed in a GIG or Freelance Economy. This study explored the GIG or Independent work skills of consulting technical and interpersonal skills. And how educators may prepare students for success in the new economy.
• Jaime Sampayo discussed leveraging the Doctorate Student by becoming a scholar-practitioner in the New Era and introduced the four viable options.
• Day 1 ended with a summary from the Communique Team and information from the Conference Chair. Dr. Rea Denise Madison will provide what to look forward to on Day 2 of the Conference.

DAY TWO

• Day two conference began with a welcome message by the conference chair, Dr. Rae Denise Madison, an Adjunct Professor at Colorado Technical University. She welcomed everyone and emphasized that the conference had to be moved online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she did recognize that the virtual conference has attracted a larger number and a more diverse mix of attendees than it would have done had it taken place in person as planned. Going online has truly made this a truly international conference.
• Madison then introduced the World Association for Academic Doctors, founder & President, Dr. Henrietta Okoro, for the welcome remarks. Dr. Okoro shared reports on WAADs growing membership, which spans ten regions: Africa, Asia, Central America, Eastern Europe, European Union, Middle East, North America, Oceania, South America, and the Caribbean. Dr. Okoro also encouraged members to write and publish articles in the International Journal of Leadership, Education & Business Studies (IJEBS). The IJEBS journal includes articles and multidisciplinary research on what is happening in various fields. Dr. Okoro reminded attendees that WAAD members receive the IJEBS journal as part of their membership benefits package.
• Madison also introduced the Day 2 keynote speaker Dr. Amine Ayad. He is a Scholar-Practitioner and inspirational business leader with extensive experience, nationally and internationally. His presentation was riveting. Dr. Ayad shared his retail journey with Home Depot with attendees within their Store Leadership Program, rotating between field and special corporate assignments. He encouraged everyone to step out of their comfort zone and accept challenging tasks as work. He advised that we don’t have to start a new business to become an entrepreneur!
• Ayad invited attendees to maximize their revenue and minimize their risk while employed by any organization. He says: ” I believe that being a scholar-practitioner in the future of effective leadership.” Dr. Ayad sees his work as his laboratory where he designs, executes, and reflects on business strategies and tactics to develop theory in reality, not in the abstract.
• Following the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Ayad, attendees were instructed to use the schedule with active links to join the presentations they would like to attend.

Topics that pervaded day two presentations were the following:

1. The Impact of Entrepreneurship Education in Higher Education and Technology Management
2. Elements of Entrepreneurial and Entrepreneurial Culture in Organizations
3. The Need for Curriculum Review in Nigerian, Malaysia, and Pakistan
4. How Technology is Changing the Future of Higher Education
5. Future of the Metaverse – A Shared Virtual Reality Space

• In the end, WAAD founder and CEO, Dr. Henrietta Okoro, wrapped up the presentation with YouTube videos of the fun WAAD members had during the dinner and reception at the 3rd Global Academic Conference in Tampa, Florida (June 27-30, 2019). She hopes the next conference will not be virtual. For now, the WAAD 5th global academic conference will take place Thursday, September 23rd – Saturday, September 25th, 2021. The international conference will be in collaboration with Dillard University, New Orleans. See you in New Orleans!

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