Japhet Niama Niama | Linguistique | Best Scholar Award

Published on by Mechanics Awards

Dr. Japhet Niama Niama | Linguistique | Best Scholar Award

Enseigant-chercheur at GRELACO, Université Omar Bongo, Gabon

Dr. Japhet Niama Niama is a Gabonese linguist and university lecturer specializing in Bantu linguistics and language sciences. He holds a Doctorate in Language Sciences from Université Omar Bongo, awarded with Très Honorable avec les félicitations du jury. With extensive teaching experience across several higher education institutions in Gabon, he currently serves as a permanent lecturer and researcher at Université Omar Bongo. His academic interests include historical and comparative linguistics, phonetics, and the evolution of noun class systems in Bantu languages. Dr. Niama Niama has published several peer-reviewed articles and continues to contribute significantly to African linguistic research and education.

Professional Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Japhet Niama Niama has pursued an exemplary academic path in the field of linguistics. He earned his Doctorate in Language Sciences, with a specialization in Linguistics, from Université Omar Bongo, where he was awarded the highest academic distinction—Mention Très Honorable avec les félicitations du jury. Prior to his doctoral studies, he completed a Master’s degree in Language Sciences, focusing on the description of languages and discourse, graduating with a Mention Bien from the same university. His foundational academic training includes a Licence fondamentale (Bachelor’s degree) in Language Sciences, also from Université Omar Bongo. He began his formal education by obtaining a Baccalauréat A1 from Lycée Paul Émane Eyeghe, followed by the Brevet d’Étude du Premier Cycle from CES Alénakiri, and the Certificat d’Étude Primaire et Élémentaire from École Publique d’Awoungou. This rigorous and progressive educational background laid a strong foundation for his academic and professional achievements in linguistics and higher education.

Experience

Dr. Japhet Niama Niama has accumulated extensive professional experience in higher education as both a lecturer and researcher in the field of linguistics. He currently serves as a permanent teacher-researcher at Université Omar Bongo (UOB), where he is responsible for delivering lectures and leading practical sessions within the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences. In this role, he also contributes to curriculum development and student mentorship. Previously, he held the position of Attaché Temporaire d’Enseignement et de Recherche (ATER) in the Department of Language Sciences at the same university, focusing on undergraduate-level teaching. Alongside his permanent role, Dr. Niama Niama has taught as a part-time lecturer (vacataire) at several prominent institutions in Gabon, including the Université Privée de l’Estuaire (UPE), Institut des Hautes Études de Management (IHEM), Ecole Supérieure des Technologies Informatiques et de Management (ESTIM Gabon), and the Institut des Sciences et Techniques de la Réadaptation (ISTR). Across these institutions, he has delivered a wide range of courses such as General and Descriptive Linguistics, Articulatory Phonetics, French Expression Techniques, Scientific Research Methodology, and Oral and Written Communication. His dynamic teaching approach and interdisciplinary engagement highlight his strong dedication to academic excellence and the advancement of linguistic education in Gabon.

Research Interests

Dr. Japhet Niama Niama’s research interests center on the field of African linguistics, with a particular focus on Bantu languages spoken in Gabon. He is deeply engaged in Bantu linguistics (Bantouistique), where he explores the structure, classification, and evolution of noun class systems, especially the historical development of nominal prefixes. His work in historical and comparative linguistics investigates the diachronic changes and relationships among Bantu language groups, drawing on evidence from phonological and morphological shifts. Dr. Niama Niama also has a strong interest in descriptive linguistics, dedicating efforts to the documentation and analysis of under-described or endangered languages. His expertise extends to dialectometry, applying quantitative methods to study dialectal variation within language clusters such as the B50, B60, and B70 groups of Gabon. In addition, he conducts research in phonetics and phonology, particularly on articulatory phonetics and the evolution of proto-Bantu phonemes. His academic activities also include interests in language and communication, as well as scientific writing and research methodology, where he contributes to training students in effective research design and academic expression. Through his research, Dr. Niama Niama advances the understanding of linguistic diversity and heritage in Central Africa.

Top Noted Publications

Évolution du préfixe nominal de classe 5 dans les langues bantoues du Gabon

  • Auteurs : Japhet Niama Niama & Yolande Nzang‑Bie
  • Revue : Revue DELLA / AFRIQUE
  • Date : août 2023
  • Type : Article de revue scientifique

Questionnements autour de l’origine du préfixe nominal de classe 5 dans les langues bantoues du Gabon

  • Auteurs : Japhet Niama Niama, Yolande Nzang‑Bie, Pither Medjo‑Mve
  • Revue : Infundibulum Scientific
  • Date : août 2023
  • Type : Article de revue scientifique

Étude dialectométrique des groupes B50‑60‑70 du Gabon

  • Auteurs : Japhet Niama Niama & Yolande Nzang‑Bie
  • Revue : Revue Akofena (N° 004, Vol. 3)
  • Date : septembre 2021
  • Type : Article de revue scientifique

Évolution des phonèmes du proto‑bantu en lembaama (B62)

  • Auteurs : Japhet Niama Niama & Yolande Nzang‑Bie
  • Revue : Revue Congolaise de Linguistique
  • Date : décembre 2020
  • Type : Article de revue scientifique

Approche historico‑comparative des langues bantu du Gabon : vers de nouveaux embranchements phonologiques partagés entre les groupes B50‑60‑70

  • Auteur : Japhet Niama Niama
  • Type : Thèse de doctorat (PhD)
  • Établissement : Université Omar Bongo, Libreville
  • Année : 2022

Conclusion

Dr. Japhet Niama Niama’s profound scholarly work, dedication to linguistic research, and sustained academic contributions perfectly align with the values of the Best Scholar Award. His work not only enriches the field of Bantuistics but also inspires the next generation of researchers and linguists in Africa and beyond.

Miklós Kontra | Linguistics | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Mechanics Awards

Prof. Dr. Miklós Kontra | Linguistics | Best Researcher Award

Professor Em , at Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Hungary

Prof. Dr. Miklós Kontra is a distinguished Hungarian linguist renowned for his extensive research in sociolinguistics, dialectology, and language rights. Born in Hungary, he has dedicated his academic life to the study of language variation, bilingualism, and linguistics human rights, with a special focus on Hungarian language usage both within Hungary and in neighboring countries. He earned his PhD in Linguistics in 1987 from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and later became a Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 2006. Currently, he serves as a University Professor at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Gáspár Károli Reformed University. His previous roles include professorships at the University of Szeged and leadership positions at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. With a passion for education, Prof. Kontra is also active in teaching language and society, linguistic discrimination, and American English dialects.

Professional Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Prof. Dr. Miklós Kontra’s academic journey is deeply rooted in linguistics and language education. He received his MA in Russian and English Language and Literature Teaching from Kossuth Lajos University. His PhD in Linguistics was awarded in 1987 by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA), based on his dissertation on Hungarian language usage in South Bend, USA. In 2006, he further achieved the prestigious title of Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, highlighting his leadership and scholarly excellence in the linguistic community. His academic path demonstrates a consistent and advanced progression in linguistic science, with a strong interdisciplinary grasp of sociolinguistics, applied linguistics, and language pedagogy. His education laid the groundwork for a lifelong commitment to studying language variation, bilingualism, and education-based linguistic rights, which continues to influence students and researchers across Central and Eastern Europe.

👨‍🏫 Experience

Prof. Dr. Miklós Kontra currently holds the position of University Professor at the Department of Hungarian Linguistics, Institute of Hungarian Language, Literature and Cultural Studies at Gáspár Károli Reformed University. He previously served as a professor at the University of Szeged and was Head of the Department of Modern Languages at the Institute of Linguistics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences from 1985 to 2010. His experience spans nearly five decades, including administrative, teaching, and research roles. He has actively contributed to doctoral education as head of the English Applied Linguistics Program at the University of Szeged from 2001 to 2015. Additionally, he has been teaching at the Ferenc Rákóczi Transcarpathian Hungarian College in Beregszász since 2016. Prof. Kontra’s expertise includes Hungarian dialectology, bilingualism, and applied linguistics, and he remains involved in national research projects focused on linguistic attitudes, standardization, and minority languages.

🔬 Research Interest

Prof. Dr. Miklós Kontra’s research encompasses language variation, bilingualism, and linguistics human rights, with an emphasis on Hungarian as spoken in Hungary and its neighboring countries. His work explores how social, cultural, and political factors shape linguistic behavior, dialect perception, and language policy. He has extensively studied American–Hungarian bilingualism, focusing on immigrant language communities, and he is a leading voice in debates about language and discrimination in education and society. His involvement in projects like the perceptual dialectological study of Szeged and investigations into language use in Croatian Hungarian communities reveals his commitment to both empirical research and societal impact. Prof. Kontra’s teaching reflects this interdisciplinary scope, covering topics from contrastive linguistics to American English dialects and language education equity. His research continues to shape linguistic thought and advocacy in Central Europe and beyond, making him a vital contributor to contemporary sociolinguistic discourse.

🏆 Awards

Prof. Dr. Miklós Kontra’s esteemed academic career is marked by prestigious recognitions and leadership appointments. He was awarded the title Doctor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 2006, a significant honor reserved for scholars with substantial scientific achievements. He served as President of the MTA Domus Board of Trustees (2017–2023) and was a member of the same board from 1998 to 2017, contributing to the development of Hungarian linguistic scholarship abroad. From 2007 to 2009, he was also a member of the Linguistics Committee of the Hungarian Accreditation Committee, playing a pivotal role in academic quality assurance. Through his administrative leadership and international recognition, Prof. Kontra has influenced policy and standards in language education, supported cross-border Hungarian linguistic communities, and mentored countless students and researchers. His honors reflect both the scholarly rigor and social relevance of his work on linguistic justice and education.

📚 Top Noted Publications

1. Empirical Linguistics: A Cautious Obituary

Authors: Not specified in the provided data.

Journal: ARGUMENTUM

Publication Date: January 1, 2024

2. Personal Notes on Hungarian American Bilingualism Research

Authors: Not specified in the provided data.

Journal: Hungarian Cultural Studies

Publication Date: September 6, 2023

3. Changing Hungarians’ L1 Education / Jövőt formáló anyanyelvi nevelés

Authors: Not specified in the provided data.

Journal: Acta Academiae Beregsasiensis, Philologica

Publication Date: July 22, 2023

4. Megjegyzések kétnyelvű magyarok hely- és személyneveiről

Authors: Not specified in the provided data.

Journal: Névtani Értesítő

Publication Date: December 29, 2017

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Miklós Kontra’s extensive academic contributions, leadership, and dedication to the study of linguistics and language rights make him a standout candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His research not only deepens the academic community’s understanding of language variation and bilingualism but also has practical implications for language policy and education. His consistent involvement in research groups and his impactful publications underline his status as a leading researcher in the field. Given his sustained academic excellence and the wide-reaching influence of his work, Prof. Kontra embodies the qualities that make him an ideal candidate for this prestigious recognition.