🌐 Call for Papers: IJKM Featured in Web of Science Indexed Journals

I’m pleased to share an exciting opportunity for researchers, scholars, and knowledge practitioners worldwide. IGI Global Scientific Publishing has launched a new Call for Papers inviting submissions to over 65 open access journals indexed in Web of Science. Among these is the International Journal of Knowledge Management (IJKM) — a journal I have the privilege of serving as Chief Editor.

🧠 Why IJKM Matters

The International Journal of Knowledge Management (ISSN: 1548-0666) has long been a platform for rigorous, interdisciplinary research exploring the creation, sharing, and application of knowledge across organizational and technological contexts. Indexed in Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) and supported by IGI Global’s open access program, IJKM offers:

• ✅ High visibility through Web of Science indexing

• ✅ Transparent peer review and ethical publishing standards

• ✅ Global reach across academia, industry, and policy sectors

• ✅ Opportunities for early-career and seasoned researchers alike

✍️ Submit Your Manuscript

Whether your work explores digital transformation, knowledge systems, AI-driven decision-making, or socio-technical dynamics, IJKM welcomes contributions that push boundaries and foster meaningful dialogue.

Link for IJKM:

https://www.igi-global.com/journal/international-journal-knowledge-management/1083

📣 Final Thoughts

This call is not just an invitation to publish — it’s a chance to participate in shaping the future of knowledge management research. I encourage colleagues, collaborators, and emerging scholars to consider IJKM as a home for their next impactful manuscript.

Let’s continue advancing thoughtful, inclusive, and globally relevant scholarship.

— Hakikur Rahman Chief Editor, International Journal of Knowledge Management (IJKM)

#IJKM #AcademicPublishing #WebOfScience #IGIGlobal #CallForPapers #OpenAccess #KnowledgeManagement #ScopusResearch #HakikurRahman

 Unveiling My First Fiction Book: The Chrono Odyssey: Whispers Beneath the Ice

After decades immersed in academic research, digital ethics, and philosophical storytelling, I’m honored to share a new chapter in my creative journey—my debut fiction book, The Chrono Odyssey: Whispers Beneath the Ice, published by JustFiction Edition and available in paperback from August 29, 2025.

This novel is more than a story—it’s an exploration of time itself. Set against the stark beauty and peril of the Ice Age, the narrative invites readers to imagine time not as a straight line, but as a living fabric of crossings, paradoxes, and hidden paths. What if the past could change? What if the future was not fixed? These questions form the heartbeat of the odyssey, as travelers move through shattered eras and uncharted tomorrows in search of meaning, survival, and truth.

At its core, The Chrono Odyssey is a meditation on human resilience. From towering glaciers and ancient beasts to the fragile rise of early humanity, the story blends science, imagination, and philosophical inquiry. It challenges the idea of inevitability and invites readers to embrace the unknown—not just as a narrative device, but as a way of thinking about history, identity, and possibility.

This book represents a convergence of my lifelong interests: the ethics of technology, the power of storytelling, and the timeless human quest for understanding. It is written for thinkers, dreamers, and seekers—those who believe that fiction can illuminate truths that data alone cannot reach.

📘 The Chrono Odyssey: Whispers Beneath the Ice 📍 Publisher: JustFiction Edition 🗓️ Release Date: August 29, 2025 📖 ISBN-13: 978-6139429011

I invite you to step beyond the present and join me on this journey. Let the odyssey begin!

 

🔊 The Weight of Sound: Noise Pollution in Dhaka and Our Silent Struggle

Each morning in Dhaka begins not with birdsong, but with a barrage of horns, construction clatter, and the relentless hum of traffic. Noise pollution—often dismissed as mere nuisance—is in fact a profound public health crisis, quietly eroding our well-being, our focus, and even our sense of peace.

📊 The Reality in Numbers

Recent studies reveal that in Dhaka’s busiest zones—Farmgate, Gulshan, Motijheel—the average noise level frequently exceeds 85 decibels, far above the 55 dB threshold deemed safe by the World Health Organization (WHO) for residential areas.

A local survey found:

• 86% of respondents consider noise pollution a major problem

• 78% report increased irritability

• 71% suffer from headaches

• 43% experience sleep disturbances and reduced concentration

While air pollution in Dhaka is known to reduce human lifespan by an average of 7 years, noise pollution’s long-term effects—though less visible—are no less severe.

🧠 Human Impact: Beyond the Ears

Noise pollution affects not just our hearing, but our entire physiological and psychological ecosystem:

• 📉 Hearing loss and tinnitus

• 🫀 Elevated blood pressure and heart disease risk

• 😵 Increased stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue

• 💤 Sleep disruption and cognitive decline

• 🎓 Impaired learning and development in children

One university student shared, “We can’t breathe in peace anymore. Even silence feels like a luxury”—a sentiment that echoes across Dhaka’s millions.

🏗️ Sources of the Noise

• 🚗 Excessive vehicle horns

• 🏗️ Construction machinery

• 📢 Loudspeakers at various events

• 🔊 Commercial advertising and street announcements

🛠️ Pathways to Change

Solving noise pollution requires a multi-pronged approach:

1. Strict enforcement of environmental laws

2. Regulation of unnecessary horns and loudspeakers

3. Designation of ‘silent zones’ near hospitals and schools

4. Real-time noise monitoring technologies

5. Public awareness campaigns and school-level education

6. Urban planning that integrates acoustic considerations

🌿 A Philosophical Lens

Noise pollution doesn’t just disturb our bodies—it fragments our inner world. In the chaos of urban sound, we lose the beauty of silence, the depth of thought, and the space for introspection. It distances us from ourselves.

To fight noise pollution is to fight for human dignity, mental clarity, and environmental harmony. It is a call to reclaim the city—not just as a place to live, but as a place to listen, reflect, and thrive.

📣 Final Thoughts

Noise pollution is a silent killer. It steals our peace, our health, and our ability to focus. The time to act is now—to raise awareness, to demand accountability, and to restore the soundscape of our city.

Let us make Dhaka a city that listens again.

🖋️ Hakikur Rahman Philosophical storyteller, researcher, and advocate for environmental well-being

 Blockchain as a Silent Architect of Trust and Renewal

In a world once built on spoken promises and paper trails, trust was a fragile currency. It depended on intermediaries—banks, brokers, bureaucrats—who often failed us through delay, corruption, or exclusion. The social contract, though noble in intent, was frequently broken in practice.

Then came a quiet revolution—not with banners or slogans, but with code. Blockchain emerged not merely as a technology, but as a philosophy of transparency, decentralization, and shared truth. It offered a new kind of trust—one that didn’t rely on authority, but on mathematics and consensus.

🔐 Secure Transactions Blockchain redefined the way we exchange value. Whether it's a farmer receiving fair payment or a researcher accessing global funding, every transaction is recorded, verified, and preserved. No edits. No erasures. Just a permanent ledger of truth.

⚡ Frictionless Transfers Gone are the days of waiting for cross-border approvals or banking hours. Blockchain enables instant, borderless fund transfers—empowering humanitarian aid, microfinance, and peer-to-peer support with unprecedented speed and reliability.

📜 Smart Contracts Imagine agreements that execute themselves. Smart contracts are digital protocols that enforce terms automatically, without bias or delay. They represent a new social contract—one that is fair, efficient, and incorruptible.

🌱 Sustainable Development Beyond finance, blockchain is now tracking carbon footprints, verifying ethical supply chains, and ensuring transparency in healthcare. It’s becoming a tool for planetary stewardship—where data serves not profit alone, but people and ecosystems.

🕊️ A Path to Peace In a world fractured by misinformation and power imbalances, blockchain offers a quiet promise: a system where truth is distributed, not dictated. Where participation is open, and manipulation is difficult. It may not solve every problem, but it reshapes the foundation on which solutions can be built.

We often ask: can technology be humane? Blockchain doesn’t answer with noise—it answers with structure. It is the silent architect of a future where trust is earned, not imposed. Where systems serve the many, not the few.

Let us not use technology merely for profit, but for justice. In doing so, blockchain becomes more than a tool—it becomes a philosophy of renewal.

#BlockchainForPeace #DigitalEthics #SmartContracts #SustainableDevelopment #HakikurRahman

Bringing Artificial Intelligence to the Global South: A Journey of Inclusion, Innovation, and Impact

I am pleased to share that my latest book, Artificial Intelligence in the Global South, is now available on Amazon:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/Artificial-Intelligence-Global-Hakikur-Rahman/dp/6206792722

Over the past two decades, I have been working on the intersections of digital transformation, data mining, e-governance, and now, artificial intelligence (AI). While AI is making waves in developed regions, its integration into the Global South remains complex—intertwined with infrastructure gaps, policy challenges, and socio-economic disparities. Yet, it also brings opportunities to reimagine development, education, agriculture, public service delivery, and local entrepreneurship through responsible and inclusive innovation.

This book aims to unpack the AI journey for developing countries—offering frameworks, insights, and case studies that highlight how AI can serve as a catalyst for sustainable development if deployed wisely and ethically. From addressing the digital divide and enhancing public services to promoting capacity-building and localized innovation ecosystems, Artificial Intelligence in the Global South reflects a long-standing commitment to meaningful technology integration.

I extend my gratitude to all the scholars, students, colleagues, and institutions who have supported and inspired this work. This book is more than a collection of research—it is a call to action for inclusive digital futures, where no region is left behind.

If you are a researcher, policymaker, educator, or development practitioner working in or with the Global South, I invite you to explore this book and join the ongoing conversation. Your insights and feedback are most welcome.

📖 Read more or get a copy here:
👉 Amazon – Artificial Intelligence in the Global South

Let us shape a future where technology empowers communities, not divides them.

—
Dr. Hakikur Rahman
Author | Researcher | Educator

 

📚 Reflections on My Scopus-Indexed Research Contributions: Ethics, Identity & Blockchain Knowledge Systems

I’m delighted to share a significant milestone in my academic journey—four of my recent research chapters have been officially indexed in Scopus, one of the most respected abstract and citation databases for scholarly literature. This recognition not only validates the scholarly rigor of these works but also affirms the relevance of the themes I’ve been exploring: digital ethics, online identity, and blockchain-based knowledge ecosystems.

These chapters are part of two edited volumes published by IGI Global Scientific Publishing, each addressing urgent questions at the intersection of technology, society, and human values.

🔍 1. The Ethical Dimensions of Digital Interactions

Rahman, H. (2025b) 📘 In Digital Citizenship and Building a Responsible Online Presence (pp. 123–164) ✅ Indexed in: SCOPUS

In this chapter, I examine the moral frameworks that shape our behavior in digital spaces. As online interactions become increasingly complex and consequential, the need for ethical reflection grows stronger. I explore how digital citizenship must evolve beyond mere participation to include responsibility, empathy, and accountability. The chapter invites readers to consider how ethical principles can guide our engagement in virtual communities, especially in contexts where anonymity and algorithmic influence challenge traditional norms.

🧠 2. Navigating the Complexities of Online Identity and Reputation

Rahman, H. (2025a) 📘 In Digital Citizenship and Building a Responsible Online Presence (pp. 1–42) ✅ Indexed in: SCOPUS

This piece delves into the layered nature of online identity—how we construct, perform, and protect our digital selves. I analyze the tension between authenticity and curation, and how reputation systems (likes, ratings, reviews) shape our social standing in virtual environments. Drawing from philosophical and sociological perspectives, the chapter reflects on the fragility of digital reputation and the long-term implications of identity fragmentation across platforms.

🔐 3. Securing Data Privacy in Blockchain Networks

Rahman, H. (2024b) 📘 In Blockchain Technology Applications in Knowledge Management (pp. 367–411) ✅ Indexed in: SCOPUS

Here, I explore the paradox of transparency and privacy in blockchain systems. While blockchain promises decentralized trust, it also raises critical questions about data exposure and user control. This chapter investigates how privacy-preserving mechanisms—such as zero-knowledge proofs and encryption layers—can be integrated into blockchain architectures to protect sensitive knowledge assets. The discussion is framed within the broader context of ethical data stewardship in decentralized environments.

🌐 4. Blockchain-Driven Knowledge Ecosystems

Rahman, H. (2024a) 📘 In Blockchain Technology Applications in Knowledge Management (pp. 29–70) ✅ Indexed in: SCOPUS

This chapter presents a conceptual framework for blockchain-enabled knowledge ecosystems. I argue that blockchain can transform how knowledge is created, validated, and shared—especially in contexts where trust and provenance are paramount. The chapter outlines potential applications in education, research, and collaborative innovation, while also cautioning against techno-utopianism. It emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive and ethically grounded implementations.

🌱 A Personal Note

These works represent more than academic output—they reflect my ongoing philosophical inquiry into how technology reshapes human experience. From the ethics of digital interaction to the architecture of decentralized knowledge, I’ve tried to approach each topic with both analytical depth and cultural sensitivity.

Being indexed in Scopus is a humbling affirmation, but the real reward lies in the conversations these chapters might spark. I welcome feedback, critique, and collaboration from fellow thinkers, researchers, and practitioners who are navigating similar terrains.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey—your encouragement continues to inspire my work.

#ScopusIndexed #DigitalEthics #OnlineIdentity #BlockchainKnowledge #AcademicMilestone #HakikurRahman #PhilosophyAndTech #ResponsibleInnovation #DigitalCitizenship

 

Bridging the Digital Divide: Reflections from WSIS+20 and the Path Ahead

By Dr. Hakikur Rahman
Professor, International Standard University | Speaker, WSIS+20 High-Level Event 2025

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🌐 Setting the Stage

From 7–11 July 2025, the international community gathered in Geneva for the WSIS+20 High-Level Event, marking two decades since the first World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). I had the honor of presenting during Session 413: Bridging the Digital Divide – Inclusive ICT Policies for Sustainable Development, held on 11 July at Room E, Palexpo.

This interactive and insightful session brought together policy experts, technologists, and development practitioners to examine how inclusive ICT frameworks can meaningfully contribute to global digital equity. Our goal was to identify pathways toward ICT policies that are fair, transparent, environmentally responsible, and globally equitable.

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📣 My Contribution: A 3-Pillar Framework

In my presentation, I proposed a three-pillar framework for digital policy design:

1. Inclusion – Prioritizing access for marginalized populations, including rural communities, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

2. Ethics – Addressing digital rights, data protection, and algorithmic fairness as foundational design principles.

3. Sustainability – Integrating ICT deployment with environmental considerations and long-term infrastructure resilience.

Drawing on case studies from Bangladesh, I highlighted both achievements and challenges in reducing the urban-rural divide, improving digital literacy, and advancing e-governance. The experience of Bangladesh—like many Global South nations—shows that technological advancement alone is not enough. Institutional readiness, inclusive governance, and ethical foresight must accompany it.

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🔍 Key Insights from the Session

The WSIS+20 session generated a rich discussion around the following themes:

• Access gaps remain urgent: Despite advances in connectivity, over 2.6 billion people globally remain offline, with the majority concentrated in low-income and remote regions. The digital divide is no longer just about infrastructure—it is about affordability, relevance, and capacity.

• Policy fragmentation is a barrier: Participants emphasized the need to harmonize national ICT strategies with broader development plans, SDGs, and environmental commitments. Cross-sectoral coordination remains limited in many countries.

• Human rights must anchor digital governance: As technologies like AI and big data scale, ensuring transparency, privacy, and accountability becomes more critical than ever. Ethical frameworks are not optional—they are essential.

• Local innovation and multistakeholderism are key: Whether through community networks, public-private-education partnerships, or national Internet Governance Forums, collaboration is vital to create policies that reflect lived realities.

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📄 Full Report and Executive Summary

To support deeper engagement and policy research, I have compiled a 47-page document covering:

• Session highlights

• Panelist insights and quotes

• Case studies from Asia, Africa, and Europe

• Synthesized policy recommendations

• WSIS+20 reflections and forward-looking actions

An executive summary is also available for quick reference.
📥 [Insert Google Drive or Dropbox link to the summary]
📘 Full report available upon request or in your Google Classroom if you're a student.

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✍️ Why This Matters

As someone deeply engaged in the WSIS and IGF processes for over two decades, I believe WSIS+20 is not a checkpoint—it is a springboard.

We are transitioning into a phase where digital divides will deepen if we do not act with urgency, empathy, and foresight. WSIS has created a normative foundation; now, we must implement these norms through coherent, localized, and rights-based policies.

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🛤️ What’s Next?

In the coming months, I will continue contributing to the WSIS+20 discourse through:

• A forthcoming book manuscript titled “WSIS+20: Reflections, Achievements, and Future Pathways for the Global Information Society”

• Public lectures and seminars on ethical ICT policy design

• Further collaboration with IGF, UNDP, and academic stakeholders to bridge research and implementation gaps

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🙏 Gratitude

My sincere thanks to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the WSIS+20 Secretariat for organizing a vibrant platform that enables multi-actor dialogue at a critical time. Gratitude also goes to my fellow panelists, co-presenter Dr. Ranojit Kumar Dutta, and the participants who enriched the conversation.

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💬 Join the Conversation

I welcome feedback, questions, and collaborative ideas—particularly from:

• Researchers in ICT4D and global governance

• Policymakers and practitioners in developing countries

• Students working on digital inclusion and policy impact

Let’s work together to ensure that the digital future is open, inclusive, and human-centered.

#WSIS20 #DigitalInclusion #InternetGovernance #ICTPolicy #ITU #SDGs #EthicalTech #Bangladesh #WSIS #FutureOfICT #GlobalSouth