Mr. Junejo was one of only three PhD students from around the world fully sponsored to attend the event. His participation was supported through the PhD Students Grant from the University College of Bahrain (UCB).

His award-winning paper, titled “Trade Liberalization and the Elusive Growth Dividend in Less Developed Countries: A Panel Data Analysis with Cross-Sectional Dependence,” was selected from hundreds of submissions. His research offers a critical and data-driven perspective on the widely debated topic of trade liberalization in Less Developed Countries (LDCs).

Drawing on panel data from 37 LDCs from 1990 to 2022, Mr. Junejo employed robust econometric techniques—such as AGM, DOLS, FMOLS, and Fixed Effects models—to uncover the nuanced and often overlooked dynamics between trade policy and economic growth. The findings challenge the conventional wisdom that trade liberalization is a one-size-fits-all solution, highlighting instead the importance of tailored policy interventions that reflect each country’s unique socio-economic context.

For the remarkable achievement, Mr. Junejo shared his gratitude, saying, “It was an honor to represent UIII and contribute to an important global discussion. I truly appreciate the support from my faculty and university.”

This achievement not only highlights Mr. Junejo’s academic talent but also reflects UIII’s growing impact on global research and policy discussions. The university celebrates his success as an example of UIII’s mission to support future leaders and scholars making a real difference in the world.