Vol. 1 No. 11 (2026): NUMBER 11, VOLUME 01, 1st EDITION, MARCH 2026

Pathways to Regional Development – From Economic Integration and Social Governance to Educational and Organizational Transformations

It is with a profound sense of academic commitment that we present Issue 11, Volume 1, 1st Edition of the ALBA - ISFIC Research and Science Journal. This edition brings together a robust body of multidisciplinary scientific research dissecting critical dynamics of development, governance, justice, education, and human capital management within the context of Southern Africa and Europe, with a particular focus on Mozambique, Angola, and Portugal. Through in-depth empirical methodologies, the collected articles offer indispensable analytical perspectives for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to understand and respond to the contemporary challenges of today's societies.

I. Economic Integration and Governance Challenges in SADC
This edition addresses regional macroeconomics by analyzing the structural, bureaucratic, and digital barriers that limit Angola's competitiveness within the SADC Free Trade Area. Concurrently, a study in Mozambique exposes civic discontent stemming from institutional communication failures in the Municipality of Alto Molócué. As solutions, the authors propose reforms for Angolan economic diversification and greater transparency in local political dialogue.

II. Human Rights, Justice, and Public Health
The authors analyze the constraints on gathering evidence in sexual assault crimes based on health and justice data in Mozambique. The absence of strict deadlines for forensic medical examinations causes them to occur well after the critical 72-hour window, resulting in the loss of essential biological traces. This procedural failure and the lack of cross-sectoral coordination foster impunity, demanding integrated and humanized guidelines.

III. Technological Modernization and Human Capital Management
Structural transformations in institutional and educational environments in Mozambique also receive special attention. One of the investigations assesses the progress and limitations of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) in Higher Education at ISFIC between 2021 and 2023. The findings reveal that although digital platforms provided flexible access during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods, the effectiveness of online teaching is severely hindered by technical limitations (network instability) and the persistence of purely expository methodologies. It concludes that a true digital transition requires continuous teacher training and strong institutional support.

Whether discussing international economic integration, judicial effectiveness in safeguarding human rights, the quality of virtual pedagogy, or talent retention, the common denominator lies in institutional strengthening, procedural transparency, and the continuous capacity building of human capital.

We invite the scientific community, policymakers, and civil society to explore these critical and inspiring readings.

Sheyla R. Rodrigues Cassy