KNUST alumnus earns global recognition with AIESEP scholar award

Dr Emmanuel Aboagye, an alumnus of the Department of Teacher Education at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2026 AIESEP Developing Country Scholar Award.

The award was presented during the 2026 International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP) Conference held at the National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan, from 15th to 19th June 2026.

The International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP), originally known by its French name Association Internationale des Écoles Supérieures d’Éducation Physique, is a leading global non-profit professional organisation committed to advancing research, scholarship, and quality teaching in physical education, sport pedagogy, physical activity, and sport-related disciplines across the lifespan.

Each year, the association recognises outstanding scholars from developing countries whose research contributes significantly to the advancement of knowledge and practice within the field.

The AIESEP Developing Country Scholar Award is designed to support scholars from developing nations in attending and participating in the annual conference. Beyond providing financial assistance, the award recognises scholarly excellence and seeks to strengthen academic collaboration between AIESEP and researchers working in developing countries.

Dr Aboagye received the award jointly with Dr. Pedro Danilo Ponciano Núñez of Universidad del Valle de Guatemala and Universidad Da Vinci, Guatemala. Dr. Aboagye’s selection reflects international recognition of his scholarly contributions to his discipline and commitment to advancing sport and physical education research within Africa.

Earlier in 2024, Dr Aboagye received funding through the SAFINET Project to participate in the AIESEP PhD Summer School hosted by the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Dr Aboagye holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Science Education (Physical Education and Sport Management) from the Department of Teacher Education, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

He previously obtained a Master's degree in Sport Management from the University of Stirling, Scotland. He is a lecturer at Akrokerri College of Education and is also a part-time lecturer in the Department of Physiotherapy and Sport Science at KNUST.

Dr Aboagye’s research interests are sport management, sport coaching, and gender studies in sport. His latest research explored the lived experiences of Female High-Performance Coaches Working in Male-Dominated Football Clubs in Africa.

A study that contributes to the ongoing global discussions on gender equity, inclusion, and leadership in sport and offers practical recommendations for sporting organisations, policymakers, and educational institutions seeking to create more inclusive coaching environments.

Dr Aboagye is being mentored by Dr. Patrick Swanzy, a quality education specialist at the Department of Teacher Education, and dedicates this award to him.