MD ABDUR ROUF SARKAR, a PhD candidate in World Economy at the School of Economics, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL), has been awarded the First Prize of the “Academic ZUEL” Scholarship for Research and Innovation for the 2024–2025 academic year. This marks the third consecutive year he has received this honor, following previous awards in the 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 academic years.
The scholarship, administered by the International Education School, recognizes outstanding academic achievement and research innovation among students. Sarkar’s work focuses on development economics, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations in developing countries.
Between September 2024 and September 2025, he co-authored 17 journal articles and one book chapter. His publications have appeared in leading Q1 journals indexed by SSCI, SCIE, or ESCI, including Sustainable Development, Cities, Climate Risk Management, and Food Security. Over the past four years, Sarkar has authored or co-authored a total of 39 peer-reviewed papers, all affiliated with ZUEL’s School of Economics. Several of these were published with him as first or corresponding author, demonstrating growing research independence and leadership.
In addition to his publishing record, Sarkar actively contributes to the academic community as a peer reviewer for several international journals. This role, he noted, has honed his critical thinking and reinforced his commitment to research ethics.
When asked about a project that brought him particular satisfaction, Sarkar highlighted his PhD research on catastrophic health expenditure and poverty in climate-vulnerable regions of Bangladesh. The study, situated within the broader context of the Belt and Road Initiative, examines how health shocks and environmental risks perpetuate poverty. “This work deepened my understanding of shared development challenges and showed the value of comparative research under the Belt and Road framework,” he explained.
Sarkar acknowledged that his research presented methodological challenges, particularly in measuring poverty and health expenditure amid data limitations and overlapping vulnerabilities. He overcame these through systematic training, extensive literature review, and close collaboration with his supervisors and co-authors.
Looking ahead, Sarkar aims to complete his PhD with a body of high-impact research that bridges economic theory and real-world development issues. He also plans to pursue an academic career in China, combining teaching with continued research to foster academic collaboration between China and other developing countries.
He offered advice to students interested in research: “Start with genuine curiosity about real-world problems. Build a strong foundation in research methods, seek mentorship, and be patient. Research is cumulative—persistence and intellectual honesty are key.”
Sarkar expressed gratitude to the International Education School, the School of Economics, the School of Business Administration, and his PhD supervisor, Professor Ding Shijun, for their ongoing support and guidance.
