Category A: Best Undergraduate Student Award

Criteria (for A-1 to A-6):

• Academic Excellence (20%) – High GPA or equivalent academic performance.
• Research & Innovation (40%) – Participation in research publications, projects, or innovative initiatives.
• Leadership & Community Impact (20%) – Active involvement in student leadership, community service, or extracurricular activities.
• Endorsements (10%) – Recommendation letters from faculty, mentors, or community leaders.
• Personal Statement (10%) – A statement highlighting achievements, future aspirations, and contributions to African development.

Category B: Best  Master’s Students Award

Criteria (for B-1 to B-6):

• Academic Excellence (20%) – High GPA or equivalent academic performance.
• Research & Innovation (40%) – Contribution to research publications, projects, or innovative initiatives.
• Leadership & Community Impact (20%) – Active engagement in student leadership, community service, or extracurricular activities.
• Endorsements (10%) – Recommendation letters from faculty, mentors, or community leaders.
• Personal Statement (10%) – A statement outlining achievements, future aspirations, and contributions to African development.

Category C: Best Research Paper for PhD Students Award (For doctorate students only)

Criteria (for C-1 to C-6):

• Publication & Recognition (100%) – Indexed in Web of Science, with journal ranking evaluated based on topic. Q1 is occupied by the top 25% of journals in the list; Q2 is occupied by journals in the 25 to 50% group; Q3 is occupied by journals in the 50 to 75% group and Q4 is occupied by journals in the 75 to 100% group. The most prestigious journals within a subject area are those which occupy the first quartile, Q1. Even within Q1 (25%), some journals occupied 5%. 10% or 15 %. 

Category D: Highest Field Ranking Paper Award (For Postdocs, faculty and others)

Criteria (for D-1 to D-6):

• Publication & Recognition (100%) – Indexed in Web of Science, with journal ranking evaluated based on topic. Q1 is occupied by the top 25% of journals in the list; Q2 is occupied by journals in the 25 to 50% group; Q3 is occupied by journals in the 50 to 75% group and Q4 is occupied by journals in the 75 to 100% group. The most prestigious journals within a subject area are those which occupy the first quartile, Q1. Even within Q1 (25%), some journals occupied 5%. 10% or 15 %. 
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Category E: Most Cited Researcher Award

Criteria (for E-1 to E-6):

• Total Citation Count (100%) – Based on Google Scholar citations (self-citations should not go beyond 20%).

Category F: Integration Excellence Award

Criteria:

Category F: Integration Excellence Award

Evaluation Criteria:

• Language Proficiency (35%) – Demonstrated commitment to learning the local language, measured by the highest level of proficiency achieved (if applicable).
• Community Engagement (35%) – Active participation and meaningful integration within local communities.
• Local Impact & Recognition (30%) – Implementation of a community-focused project and/or official recognition from the local municipality.

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Category G: Best African Students Community Award

Criteria (for G-1):

• Community Engagement (40%) – Activities fostering networking, mentorship, and collaboration.
• Impact & Outreach (30%) – Programs benefiting African students and professionals abroad.
• Sustainability (20%) – Long-term vision and consistent impact.
• Innovation & Leadership (10%) – Unique initiatives and leadership in organizing activities.

Category H: African Entrepreneurship & Innovation  Award

Criteria (for H-1 & H-2):

• Innovation & Uniqueness (40%) – Novelty and potential industry disruption.
• Business Impact (30%) – Market reach, scalability, and business success.
• Social Impact (20%) – Contributions to African communities and economic development.
• Recognition & Endorsements (10%) – Awards, media coverage, and industry recognition.

Category I: African Industry Professional Award (Target: Career accomplishments outside academia)

Criteria (for I-1 & I-2):

• Professional Achievements (50%) – Career accomplishments after graduation.
• Industry Contributions (20%) – Innovations, mentorship, or policy influence.
• Impact on Africa (20%) – Contributions to African development.
• Peer Recognition (10%) – Endorsements and awards.

 Special Recognition Awards

J. Friend of Africans Award (J-1) – 5 Awards

Criteria:

• Support for African Students & Professionals (70%) – Contributions to African development.
• Cross-Cultural Engagement (10%) – Efforts in fostering collaboration between Africa and other regions.
• Sustained Involvement (10%) – Consistent support for African causes.
• Endorsements (10%) – Recommendations from African organizations.

K. Best NGO for Africa Award (J-2) – 5 Awards

Criteria:

• Impact & Reach (40%) – Effectiveness in improving the lives of Africans in the diaspora and beyond.
• Sustainability (30%) – Long-term impact and program success.
• Innovation (20%) – Unique approaches to addressing challenges.
• Recognition (10%) – Awards and peer acknowledgments.

L. Outstanding Embassy Service Award (J-3) – 10 Awards

Criteria:

• Support for African Students & Professionals (40%) – Passport  / Visa services, student support, and community engagement.
• Public Diplomacy (30%) – Efforts in promoting African interests.
• Responsiveness & Accessibility (20%) – Efficiency in service delivery.
• Testimonials & Peer Recognition (10%) – Feedback from African communities.