BUSE Institutional Repository

This repository serves as a digital archive for preserving and providing access to the scholalry and creative works produced by the BUSE community. It includes:

Journal articles, conference papers and other publications by the BUSE faculty, researchers and students
Theses and Dissertations completed by BUSE graduate students

The repository aims to showcase the intellectual output of BUSE, increase the visibility and impact of our community's scholarship and preserve these works for long term access and use.To contribute your work or learn more, please contact the repository team using of the following contact details:

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 9

Recent Submissions

Access status: Open Access ,
Boosting intra-African timber trade
(Trees, Forests and People, 2026) Zabel, Astrid; Afriyie-Krafta, Lydia; Agasha, Annah; Ahiakpa, John K; Akalibey, Scholastica; Tientcheu, Marie-Louise A; Babalola, Folaranmi D; Biwole, Achille B; Bouville, Nathalie G; Breu, Thomas; Cheboiwo, Joshua K; Doagbodzi, Ruben; Gitonga, Daphine; Kowero, Godwin; Mureva, Admore; Musemwa, Lovemore; Mutta, Doris; Mwamakimbullah, Reuben; Popoola, Labode; Tieguhong, Julius C.
Forest cover in Africa is declining, and new strategies are needed to foster sustainable forest management. At the same time, unstable international trade relationships are challenging Africa’s timber trade model. This creates momentum for Africa to boost intra-African timber trade and make use of the novel African Continental Free Trade Area. More continental trade could help reduce Africa’s trade deficit in wood and wood products while generating jobs, catalyzing investments and incentivizing sustainable forest management. Six approaches for fostering intra-African timber trade are suggested: increasing timber plantations on degraded land, supporting certification, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises, building infrastructure for low-emission transportation, combatting and ending corruption, and creating awareness on the untapped economic potential of Africa’s timber sector.
Access status: Open Access ,
Harmonization of higher education for sustainable development: Southern Africa development community experiences
(Noyam Journals, 2024-03-01) Chikuvadze, Pinias; Mugijima, Samuel
The world-over, higher education remains a key determinant for scientific and technological development. Hence, Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)’s higher education institutions are considered crucial social organizations in spreading knowledge, and innovation for sustainable development. This study called for inclusion of the qualitative content analysis in an attempt to explore higher education collaboration or partnerships within SADC. Using the AJOL, Scopus, DHTE, DOAJ, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, 60 articles were purposively selected for this review. These available literature sources are accessible on issues around higher education harmonization for sustainable development in SADC for scrutiny. From the content analysis, harmonization was conceptualized as the collaboration, integration or partnership within regional higher education institutions. The rationale for these collaborations or partnerships was to enhance adherence to the agreed-upon higher education conditions and instruments. These created the framework of standards, to facilitate credit transfer and evaluation within SADC’s higher education institutions. From this content analysis, it can be concluded that the harmonization of higher education systems for sustainable development is seen as a spontaneous process subtle to various intricacies, as it permits individual institutions to enjoy the fruits of regional integration. It is in this context, that the researchers recommend the enunciation of SADC’s higher education harmonization for sustainable development guiding procedures vis-a-vis internationalisation. Therefore, this discussion adds voice to the existing argument on the need for higher education institutions in SADC member states to move towards an integrated higher education system.
Access status: Open Access ,
Method development and validation for the simultaneous analysis of miconazole nitrate, hydrocortisone and chlorocresol in a pharmaceutical topical cream by reverse phase liquid chromatography
(Wiley-VCH GmbH, 2025-04) Mukaratirwa-Muchanyereyi, Netai; Chihiya, Pretty; Nyoni, Stephen
Miconazole/Hydrocortisone (HCA) cream is a pharmaceutical formulation developed as a combination of three major components (HCA, miconazole nitrate [MCN] and chlorocresol [CHL]). In some instances, reference monographs used for referencing the quantification of pharmaceutical molecules focus on individual analysis of molecules. Therefore, there is need to develop, optimize and validate methods that simultaneously separate constituents of a combined formulation. In this study, a method for the separation of HCA, MCN and CHL in miconazole/HCA cream was developed by investigating the effect of mobile phase, stationary phase, wavelength and gradient program on the separation of HCA, MCN and CHL in miconazole/HCA cream. A 10 mM ammonium acetate (AAC) buffer pH 5.0 was used. Acetonitrile was used as the organic modifier. An injection volume of 10 μL was used on a C18, 15 cm ×4.6 mm Zorbax. The optimum conditions for reverse phase liquid chromatography were obtained as follows: injection volume (10 μL), column temperature (30◦C), flow rate (1 mL/min), gradient elution program: 0 min, 60AAC:40ACN; 4 min, 60AAC:40ACN; 9 min, 5AAC:95ACN; 13 min, 5AAC:95ACN using a C18 stationary phase, UV detector, 5 μm stationary phase pore size and post run of 3 min.
Access status: Open Access ,
Cyber warfare as a new threat to security policy: a Russian foreign policy perspective
(BUSE, 2019) Mugwira, E.
Cybersecurity is one of the most recent and unique national security issues of the twenty-first century. The world has witnessed a significant number of cyber-attacks perpetrated by various actors in the international system for various objectives. Therefore this study seeks to understand the Russian foreign policy regarding this new domain of international relations. The Russian approach to cyber warfare, both theoretical and practical underpinnings, was to be examined. The study discussed the conceptual framework that underlines the principle of Russia`s cyber warfare, national and foreign policy. The research was informed by the qualitative research methodology which gives respondents an opportunity to completely air out their answers to questions asked. The study population composed of officials responsible for cybersecurity from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Interpol Cyber Centre (Harare), academics, and renowned experts in the field of international relations. The study is of value to strategic thinkers, politicians, academics in the field of International Relations and cybersecurity practitioners on how cyber vulnerabilities may compromise national security and may lead to catastrophic consequences. The research will enlighten authorities on the need for preparation for cyber-warfare in army-building. There is also an attempt by the study to bring to the fore nation-states, non-state actors who have also taken advantage of the vulnerability and interconnectivity of the cyberspace to inflict enormous damage to countries and societies. The findings of the study show that the Russian foreign policy is heavily influenced by perceptions of threat and vulnerability. Russia’s policy on information operations are shaped by many traditions. Russian leaders have long placed exceptional value on using information to manipulate their enemies. In light of these findings, the research recommends that states should set achievable long and short term actions to protect and defend critical ICT infrastructure.
Access status: Open Access ,
The Importance of harnessing digital innovation for humanitarian assistance: case of Cyclone Idai in Manicaland province, Zimbabwe
(BUSE, 2025) Mutema, Clepas
This study aimed to explore the importance of harnessing digital innovations in humanitarian assistance for natural disasters in Zimbabwe. The research was anchored in the theoretical frameworks of liberalism and ICT for Development theories. This study used a descriptive research design Data was gathered through purposive in-depth insights from key informants, including government officials and humanitarian organizations field workers and program representatives. A questionnaire, key informant interview guide and secondary data sources were used as research instrument to collect data.. The findings revealed that Cyclone Idai heavily impacted the social and economic activities of people in Manicaland particularly those in Chimanimani and Chipinge, with their livelihoods completely destroyed. The government of Zimbabwe tried to respond favorably to the disaster and through its declaration gained international support to provide humanitarian aid. Although there were efforts to provide immediate relief the cyclone brought with it challenges that made access to remote areas difficult and required expensive reconstruction of infrastructure. The findings also revealed that digital technologies or innovations have the potential to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in humanitarian aid delivery in Zimbabwe. This ensures inclusivity, financing, collaboration and coordination in the use of digital innovations to facilitate humanitarian aid. The study concluded that while challenges exist, there is significant optimism about the potential benefits of digital technologies in humanitarian assistance. Recommendations include establishing robust data collection systems, enhancing collaboration through digital platforms, ensuring inclusivity in digital solutions and leveraging of social media and communication platforms to enhance humanitarian assistance.