Best Thesis Awards for 2023 Announced at Summer Graduation Ceremony

28.08.2024

Celebrating Outstanding Research at Both Bachelor’s and Master’s Levels

Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences recently announced the winners of the 'Best Thesis of the Year Award' for 2023. This award recognises outstanding research at both bachelor’s and master’s levels, showcasing exceptional scholarship.

Bachelor’s Best Thesis Award 2023

The 'Best Thesis of the Year Award' in the bachelor’s category goes to Chiemeka Raynor for his research titled Analysis of Fans' Viewership Attitudes Towards the Use of Technology in Watching Football in the English Premier League.

Chiemeka's study investigated how technological advancements impact football fans, specifically focusing on fan identification and attitudes towards VAR (Video Assistant Referee) and GLT (Goal-Line Technology). His findings revealed that demographic factors and levels of fan identification significantly influence attitudes towards these technologies, providing valuable insights for understanding fan engagement in modern football.

Chiemeka expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am honoured and grateful to receive the Wittenborg Best Thesis Award of 2023 for the bachelor’s category. This would not have been possible without the support of my supervisor Emmah Muchoki, my family and lecturers at Wittenborg. Thank you, everyone. To all graduates, congratulations and good luck in your future endeavours.”

Chiemeka is currently pursuing a Master of Business Management (MBM/MSc) at Wittenborg with a specialisation in Digital Marketing & Communication.

Master’s Best Thesis Award 2023

The 'Best Thesis of the Year Award' at master’s level is awarded to Thi Hai Ha Ngo for her thesis titled Behavioural Intention to Use Digital Banking: A Study of Customers in the Vietnam Commercial Banking Sector.

Thi Hai Ha, who hails from Vietnam, conducted her research to explore the factors influencing customer intentions to adopt digital banking within her home country’s rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Thi Hai Ha elaborated on her research focus: “I chose to research the behavioural intention to use digital banking in Vietnam's commercial banking sector because Vietnam presents a significant opportunity for digital banking development. With a population of over 100 million, of which more than 70% are adults and smartphone users, there is an immense potential consumer base for digital banking services.”

Thi Hai Ha’s work extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and provides practical insights for banks aiming to improve their digital services: “I introduced variables, such as perceived credibility and financial cost, to better understand customer intentions. This research not only fills a gap in the literature but also offers actionable insights for banks looking to attract and retain digital banking customers.”

Reflecting on her time at Wittenborg, Thi Hai Ha noted, “My experience at Wittenborg was enriching and fulfilling. The diverse and international environment, along with the practical-oriented curriculum, were instrumental in my research. The support and resources available were key to completing my study successfully.”

As she looks to the future, Thi Hai Ha plans to continue expanding her expertise in finance and is learning Dutch to better integrate into the local job market. “In the longer term, I intend to continue learning and exploring areas within finance that align with my interests,” she shared. 