WITS ENGINEERING
THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT REVIEW
WEBER
DEAN’S CORNER
Prof. Thokozani Majozi
Dean, EBE – Elected as President and Chairman, Academy of Sciences South Africa (ASSAf)
Dear Colleagues, Students, and Stakeholders,
As we reflect on the year 2024, I am filled with immense pride and optimism for our Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. This has been a year of remarkable achievements, meaningful transformation, and unwavering commitment to our core values of Empowering People to Achieve Together, Driving Innovation, Making a Meaningful Impact, and Pursuing Excellence Relentlessly.
Our strategic objectives have guided our progress throughout the year. We’ve made significant strides in diversity, equity, and inclusion, increasing our employment equity representation from 22% to 32%. While we celebrate this progress, we remain committed to ensuring transformation permeates all levels of our academic community, particularly at the Associate and Full Professor levels.
This year, we made significant progress on our Faculty Mentorship Program, led by Prof David Limebeer, specifically aimed at supporting Early Career Academics. This initiative, which we established two years ago, underscores our commitment to nurturing talent and providing comprehensive support for our emerging researchers and Faculty members.
Our commitment to academic excellence is evident in our student achievements. We graduated 1,393 students this year, including 729 undergraduate students and 33 PhD candidates. While proud of these numbers, we recognize the ongoing need to improve our PhD graduation rates and continue supporting our emerging researchers.
I am proud to highlight the remarkable achievements of our Schools as summarised below.
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering:
· Final-year students Mr Tsematse Tsematse and Ms Simone Singh won a top prize for innovative research on sustainable concrete production, receiving a R20,000 cash award for their work on mitigating the environmental impact of concrete using pulverized coal bottom ash as a partial cement replacement.
School of Construction Economics and Management:
· Dr Josephine Llale was appointed Vice President of the 6th South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP)
· Established the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Construction Industry Growth, following a successful research grant
· Revamped the Building Science laboratory under the leadership of Prof Themba Nhlapho
· Set up a new, fully equipped computer lab coordinated by Dr Kgomotso Moropane
Dr Koech Cheruiyot appointed to the Editorial Advisory Board of the International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis
School of Electrical and Information Engineering:
· Prof Chandima Gomes’ Centre of Excellence in High Voltage Engineering secured an R8 million contract research through the ESKOM Power Engineering Program (EPEP) for 2024 to 2028
Received a R500,000 state-of-the-art motor control equipment donation from Siemens South Africa, facilitated by Prof Willie Cronje
· Dr Mitch Cox awarded the Mering Naude medal from the Royal Society of South Africa in recognition of his emerging leadership in science
Dr Hugh Hunt received an NRF Thuthuka Grant of R900,000 for studying Lightning Protection of Photovoltaic Plants
· Dr Carina Schumann awarded an NRF Y-Rated Researchers Grant of R300,000 for Upward Lightning Protection and Prediction of Wind Turbines
School of Mining Engineering:
Prof Bryan Watson invited to serve on the International Society for Rock Mechanics (ISRM) Commission on Estimation of Rock Mass Strength and Deformability
· Prof Watson registered as a Chartered Engineer (CEng – UK) with the IOM3
Dr Milka Madahana completed her PhD during the July 2024 PhD graduation cluster
· Received approval for the Mine Planning and Optimisation Research Group (MPORG) from the University’s Research Office
School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering:
· Dr. Saeideh Babaee received the 2024 Sellschop Award for her research proposal on innovative hydrogen storage technologies
· Prof Nthabiseng Maledi organized the Wits/Eskom hybrid conference from 25-27 November, attracting over 300 on-campus and 200 online participants
· Metallurgical Engineering student Keletso Moboitshego, supervised by Prof Nthabiseng Maledi and Dr Emmanuel Oke, won first prize at the 2024 SAIMM students’ colloquium
Prof Lesley Cornish re-rated as NRF scientist (B2) and elected President of the Royal Society of South Africa
· Prof David Whitefield became an NRF rated scientist (C3)
· Ms Letta Ntuli, supervised by Dr Alain Nyembwe and Prof Jean Mulopo, won second prize for Best Oral Presentation by a PhD student at NanoAfrica 2024
Prof Sunny Iyuke published a book titled “Measuring Climate Change to Inform Energy Transitions: Carbon Footprint Calculations”
School of Architecture and Planning:
· Prof Mfaniseni Sihlongonyane, Prof Marie Huchzermeyer, and Dr Emmanuel Busayo attended the UN Habitat’s World Urban Forum in Cairo, where they also launched the book titled “Everyday Urban Practices in Africa: Disrupting Global Norms” in collaboration with TU Berlin
· Prof Phillip Harrison and Prof Alison Todes launched their co-authored book “The Promise of Planning: Global Aspirations and South African Experience Since 2008”
Hosted the African Urbanisms Conference with over 300 delegates - a collaboration between the Habitat Unit at TU Berlin, Wits University, and the ARUA Centre of Excellence on Urbanisation and Habitable Cities
School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering:
· Prof Claudia Polese won the NSTF South32 Award for Engineering Research Capacity Development
· Prof Igle Gledhill won the NSTF Award for Science Diplomacy for Africa
· Dr Michael Atkins and Sjouke Schekman won R5 million from the Royal Society of London for their work on Small-Scale Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines for Backup Domestic Electricity Generation in Rural South African Communities.
Our increased investment in research is reflected in tangible achievements; we’ve quadrupled our postdoctoral fellows to 40 and increased our staff with PhDs to 67%. We’ve also introduced innovative curriculum initiatives, such as the new course in Data Driven Decision Making for Engineering and Built Environment Professionals.
In addition to our academic and research achievements, we’ve also seen significant leadership transitions this year. I’m pleased to announce the following key appointments:
Prof Cuthbert Nyamupangedengu has been appointed as the new Head of School for Electrical and Information Engineering, with effect from 01 October 2024
Dr Paseka Leeuw will lead the School of Mining Engineering as its new Head of School, with effect from 01 February 2025
· Prof Nico Wilke has been appointed Head of School for Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical (MIA) Engineering, with effect from 01 January 2025
· Mr Bongani Gumede joins us as the new Faculty Registrar, with effect from 15 January 2025
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our outgoing Heads of Schools who have made extraordinary contributions to our Faculty. Prof Cuthbert Musingwini’s leadership of the School of Mining Engineering has been instrumental in establishing it as one of the leading schools globally. Similarly, Prof Robert Reid’s tenure as Head of the School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering has been marked by significant growth and innovation.
As we look forward to the coming year, we remain dedicated to our mission of creating knowledge, developing exceptional professionals, and making a meaningful contribution to society.
As the year draws to a close, I wish you all a well-earned restful and rejuvenating holiday season. May the coming year bring you joy, continued success, and exciting opportunities for growth and innovation. Take time to rest, reflect, and recharge, and return in the new year with renewed energy and passion.
Warmest regards and best wishes for a wonderful holiday,
Prof Thokozani Majozi
Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
Tenets of the Postgraduate Education
(MSc and PhD Candidates)
Masters Candidates should become proficient in these five tenets. Emphasis on mastery of:
• Relevant scientific method
• Relevant literature underpinning the field
• Relevant techniques
• Nature and purpose of the research area
• Consequences of the research finding
PhD Candidates should become proficient in these three tenets:
• Close a gap in the relevant area of the research
• Originality and novelty in the chosen area
• Independent critical judgment
EDITORIAL DESK
Desmond Klenam, PhD Editor in Chief
We are excited to announce the launch of the inaugural edition of the “Wits Engineering & the Built Environment Review” (WEBER), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at sparking a culture of creativity, research, collaboration, and innovation within our vibrant community. This venture is more than just a publication; it’s a celebration of the myriad forms of ingenuity and inventiveness that animate our faculty, embodying the spirit of exploration that transcends traditional boundaries. Our goal is to create a conduit for sharing the wealth of knowledge, impactful research, and transformative projects that flourish in our midst, drawing from a wellspring of innovation that knows no limits.
WEBER is conceived as a nexus of inspiration and interdisciplinary exchange, located in the fertile ground of Africa, yet reaching out to engage with the global discourse on innovation and creative exploration. Through this newsletter, we aim to bridge diverse fields, drawing together the threads of technical excellence, creative vision, and transformative research to weave a rich narrative of progress and potential. We’re committed to showcasing a diverse array of perspectives and achievements, celebrating the contributions of every member of our faculty—from those breaking new ground in sustainability and ecological research within our disciplines, to those reimagining the possibilities of digital expression and beyond.
Within the pages of WEBER, we invite you to traverse a landscape of ideas and achievements, featuring research breakthroughs, faculty and student spotlights, upcoming events, and thought-provoking commentary. This platform is open to all, encouraging the sharing of insights, discoveries, and stories of success that underscore our collective journey towards excellence. Your participation is crucial in shaping the direction of this endeavour, making WEBER a dynamic and inclusive forum that reflects the unique energies and aspirations of our community.
Associate Editor
As we embark on this exciting journey together, we invite your active engagement in crafting the future narrative of our newsletter. Your insights, feedback, and contributions are invaluable in ensuring that WEBER remains a beacon of academic excellence emerging from our regional context but poised to make a significant impact on the global stage. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm.
The Editors
At Wits’ Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, we foster an atmosphere of robust scholarly engagement, co-creation, and cross-pollination of ideas, transforming novices into erudite scholars. Through rigorous training and a university-wide experience, we develop undergraduates and postgraduates into young professionals who are mathematically mature, scientifically sophisticated, econometrically adept, architects of their own fate, pedagogically efficient, emotionally intelligent, and tech-evolving forces of nature. Our students are inspired to create with the heart and build with the mind, making a rapid transition from well-filled minds to well-formed minds.
Sechaba Maape, PhD
THE MANDATE
Our vision is for the Faculty to produce 21st century global leaders of local significance in the space of Engineering and the Built Environment.
The three pillars
1. Diversity, equity and inclusion. We aim to create a Faculty that embraces.
• Diversity by valuing and celebrating the differences that exist among individuals, e.g. race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion and socio-economic status.
• Equity by ensuring equal treatment and providing equal opportunities to all individuals, ensuring that everyone has access to resources and support to thrive.
• Inclusion by creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected and valued; and environment where everyone’s voice is heard and included in decision-making processes.
2. Transforming the undergraduate curriculum.
Our curriculum should be informed by our vision and the needs of industry and stakeholder base we aim to serve. To this end we have introduced data-driven decision making for engineering and the built environment professionals across the Faculty.
3. Improving research and Innovation. Our research and innovation efforts ought to be novel, sustainable and impactful.
4.Digitisation of administration to maximise efficiency and timely delivery at all times.
OUR VALUES
• People at the core of everything we do
• Excellence in all we do
• Conducting research with impact
• Pursuing innovation that improves lives for everyone
Overall Faculty performance 2023
RESEARCH OUTPUTS
• CHMT, EIE, SoAP: More productive in general
• SoAP: Books/Professional Practitioners/Studios
• EIE: 3 distinguished professors/High number of PhD holders/High PhD
Enrolments/loadshedding & COVID-19
• CHMT: High number of PhD holders/High PhD
Enrolments/Equipment and infrastructure intensive
• CEM: Steady growth/High number of masters by course work – workload
• MIA: Declining since 2018/Staff turnover
• Mining: Lowest number of academics with PhDs
• Civil: Lowest staff complement/Staff turnover
• WMI: Conducts world class research for the mining industry
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Driving Curriculum Innovation in Engineering & the Built Environment Education through Data Science
The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE) is taking significant steps toward equipping students with cutting-edge skills in data science to prepare them for a digitally driven future. As part of this initiative, a new data science program for first-year engineering and built environment students has been introduced. This program aims to integrate data-driven decision making (DDDM) with traditional engineering and built environment disciplines, aligning with the faculty’s broader goal of fostering digital transformation, sustainability, and industry readiness.
Prof. Rodney Genga, in collaboration with Prof. Turgay Celik, is spearheading this curriculum transformation with the support of the Faculty Executive and the Faculty Industry Advisory Board (IAB). Prof. Genga underscores the importance of this initiative, stating, “Data is the new currency, and digital skills are no longer optional in engineering and built environment professionals.” The curriculum is designed not only to impart essential technical knowledge but also to equip students with data proficiency critical for their future careers. By the end of their first year, students are expected to gain foundational data science skills applicable across fields, including energy, water, transport, urban planning, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability.
Looking ahead, the plan is to incorporate data-driven decision making (DDDM) into each year of study, with increasing complexity and depth each year. AI-enhanced learning will also be integrated to personalize the learning experience, boost student engagement and motivation, and improve course administrative efficiencies and feedback mechanisms. Prof. Turgay Celik adds that “by introducing AI in these ways, the courses will become more responsive, engaging, and aligned with students’ evolving learning needs. As AI continues to transform industries, it’s critical that students gain practical experience and skills to thrive in an increasingly AI-centric workforce.”
To support both students and faculty in this transition, FEBE has invested in resources like employing specialized staff and teaching assistants, exposure and where necessary training for staff and tutors, as well as advanced learning tools. Furthermore, the program’s impact will be continuously evaluated through key performance indicators to ensure alignment with industry demands and student success. “Our industrial partners are eager for graduates who can apply these skills to transform how they operate and compete on both a regional and international scale,” Prof. Genga added. With plans to expand the program and adapt it to evolving technological advancements, FEBE remains committed to producing future-ready engineers and built environment professionals who can lead with data-driven insights.
Prof. Rodney Genga
Assistant Dean: Strategic Projects
Director: Academic Development Unit
Prof. Turgay Celik
Shool of Electrical and Information Engineering
Prof. Turgay Celik
Prof. Rodney Genga
LEARNING SPOTLIGHT
Message from the Assistant Dean of Research and Innovation: Prof. Geoffrey S. Simate
Prof. Geoffrey S. Simate
We are a Faculty of two spheres – the Engineering sphere and the Built Environment sphere. As Engineers, we pride ourselves in many ways including addressing societal challenges such as developing sustainable energy solutions. We design, build, and maintain systems and technologies that improve our quality of life, such as clean water, electricity, and lifesaving medical devices. As Built Environment specialists we provide the physical spaces for people to live, work, learn, travel, and have fun. The Faculty is a home to about 200 academics who are positioned and known for the development and implementation of innovative built environment and engineering solutions that drive modernization and industrialization. Our students are our pride. In this regard, the Faculty is at the forefront of moulding engineering and built environment professionals that, after completion, are ready to develop innovative and appropriate solutions for societal well-being within and beyond South Africa’s borders. Undeniably, investment and subsequent participation in research and innovation make a huge difference as to whether a poor country catches-up with the developed world technologically. This is what inspires the researchers in our Faculty.
2024 Inclusive Digital Industries Summer School Program: A Success Story
The inaugural Inclusive Digital Industries Summer School Program, led by Prof. Rodney Genga and supported by the Centre for Inclusive Digital Transformation Africa (CIDTA), successfully concluded at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, from July 8-12, 2024.
Program Highlights
Participants: Over 30 final-year undergraduates and postgraduates from ten African countries, including South Africa, Rwanda, Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Cameroon, Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. The University of the Witwatersrand contributed about 10 students.
Inclusivity: Full coverage of travel expenses ensured financial barriers did not impede participation, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.
Curriculum: Focused on the needs of African industries with emphasis on innovative manufacturing, 3D printing, robotics, IoT, AI integration, and data-driven decision-making. The program combined theoretical lessons with hands-on workshops to equip students for leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Faculty: Expert instructors from Wits University, CMU Africa, and other institutions, including Prof. Surafel Lemma, Prof. David Vernon, Dr Desmond Klenam, Dr Japheth Obiko, Mr. Nthape Mphasha, Prof. Rodney Genga and Prof. João Barros, CMU Africa.
Funding: Raised $56,400 USD for the summer school and secured an additional $107,451.90 USD from AFRETEC for a T&L Africa Research Project in partnership with UNILAG and UON.
Future Opportunities: Introduced potential research areas for Master’s (MSc) studies in 2025, with applications requiring a CV and a two-page motivation letter.
This program highlights the power of collaboration and investment in Africa’s digital transformation. By empowering young talent with advanced skills, it paves the way for innovation and a sustainable future for the continent.”
Graduate Attributes
Engineering Council of
Problem Solving
Application of Scientific and Engineering Knowledge
Engineering Design
Investigations, Experiments and Data Analysis
Engineering Methods, Skills and Tools, including
Information Technology
Engineering Management
Attributes (GAs) of South Africa (ECSA)
Engineering
Professionalism
Independent Learning Ability
Individual, Team and Multidisciplinary Working
Sustainability and Impact of Engineering Activity
Professional and Technical
Communication
ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT
• The Academic Development Unit (ADU) within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (EBE) focuses on improving undergraduate and postgraduate outcomes, overseeing the common firstyear programme, and providing academic, eco-social, and psycho-social support. Adopting a humancentric approach, ADU fosters community and belonging through innovative programs addressing academic, emotional, financial, and social needs.
• The EBE Inclusive Leadership in Advocacy and Development (EBEILAD) equips students with leadership and advocacy skills for the engineering and built environment sectors, emphasizing inclusivity and community impact. Activities include peer support, orphanage visits, career guidance, collaboration with youth organizations, faculty dean events, and team-building hikes.
• The ADU-AMRUT Innovathon, in partnership with the Amrut Foundation, is an annual multidisciplinary competition promoting ethical innovation and entrepreneurship. This year, 26 teams competed for R200,000, with EcoCane Innovations’ Charissa De Gouveia and Shamira Pillay winning for their ecofriendly bioplastic solution. Two teams secured R20,000 each for their impactful projects.
• The EBE Creative Studios Program, launched in 2023, provides a safe space for self-reflection and growth through art forms like poetry, music, and painting. It fosters creative expression, challenges mental health stigma, and builds a supportive community for emotional exploration and shared experiences.
• The Industry Readiness Program bridges the gap between academia and industry by offering targeted workshops in collaboration with stakeholders, equipping students with essential skills for career and personal development.
• The Academic Thrive Program supports students on academic probation by providing voluntary, comprehensive assistance to build resilience, confidence, and address academic, financial, and social challenges, helping them avoid exclusion.
• The Bursary Roadshow equips students with skills to secure financial aid through interactive workshops, featuring presentations, practical exercises, and expert advice from bursary organizations, enhancing confidence in applications and interviews.
DEVELOPMENT UNIT (ADU)
2024 Innovation Challenge
2024 Centre for Inclusive Digital Transformation Summer School, CMU Africa, Kigali
OUR FACULTY AT A
2024 EBE Panel Discussion on Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work
A GLANCE
The 2024 School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering outreach program organized for High School Students to popularise Metallurgy and Materials Science
PUBLICATIONS AT A GLANCE
Selected thematic research areas
• Water and energy
• Water, infrastructure, and environment
• Energy and fuels
• Computational process and systems engineering
• Materials science
• Extractive and physical metallurgy
• Advanced manufacture
• Structural Engineering
• Future electrical energy technology
• Construction economics and management
• Sustainable process engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Transportation
• Telecommunications
• Mining engineering
Faculty Research Thrusts
• Water resource management (SDG_6)
• Just energy transition ( SDG_7)
• Digitalisation (SDG_9)
OUR FACULTY AT
SDG Competition 2024 Report: University of Witwatersrand’s Victory.
EBE welcoming VC Top applicants in the country
A GLANCE
2024 Power conference organized by ESKOM in partnership the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Inaugural research seminar
72 Oral presentations 5 Keynote speakers
17 Poster presentations
Prof. Omokolade Akinsomi
• President-Elect of the International Real Estate Society to resume in 2025
Awarded the Order of the Star of Italy
- Cavaliere OSIin recognition of her efforts to expand national and international research collaborations
Prof. Sam Laryea
Prof. Claudia Polese Won the CIDB Research grant of R4.5 million to create a Research Centre named- Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Construction Industry Growth (SuCIG)
Dr Mitchell Cox
• 2023 Optica Ambassador: one of ten emerging leaders in optics and photonics worldwide.
• 2023 Friedel Sellschop Fellowship: project looking into all-optical neural networks.
• 2024 Royal Academy of Engineering Project: Connecting the Unconnected with Wireless Optical Communications (awarded in 2023 for this year)
• One of the youngest presidents to be elected at age 39. The international real estate society is a global real estate federation which includes the African, American, Asian, European, Pacific Rim and Latin American Real Estate Societies as members.
• The first black academic and Witsie to assume this position
Prof. Turgay Celik
Received AFRETEC NETWORK Inclusive and Digital Transformation Grant Award worth US$100, 000
Dr Sechaba Maape
Co-curator of the South African Pavilion at the 18th Venice Architecture Biennale 2023
Dr Michael Lucas &
Prof. Claudia Polese
• Hosted at Wits’ “The Cold Spray Conversation”, an industry & researcher open day for the revamped Cold Spray Laboratory
• Over 80 people attended the event from across the globe
Prof. (Emeritus ) Lesley Cornish Became member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) President, Royal Society of South Africa
ENROLMENT AT A GLANCE
Postgraduate studies (Enrolments)
• Postgraduate levels
• Honours (non-intensive research degree)
• Postgraduate diplomas (non-intensive research qualification)
• MSc research with course work (intensive research degree)
• MSc full research (intensive research degree)
• PhDs (intensive research degree)
OUR FACULTY AT A
National Science Week 2024 celebration – joint partnership with Air Liquide and Wits Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
A GLANCE
National Science Week 2024 celebration – joint partnership with Air Liquide and Wits Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
The University hierarchy – who’s on top?
The Dean Leaps tall buildings in a single bound. Is more powerful than a locomotive. Is faster than a speeding bullet. Walks on water. Gives policy to God.
The Head of School
Leaps short buildings in a single bound. Is more powerful than a switch engine. Is just as fast as a speeding bullet. Walks on water if sea is calm. Talks with God.
Professor
Leap short buildings with a running start and favourable winds. Is almost as powerful as a switch engine. Is faster than a speeding BB. Walks on water in an indoor swimming pool. Talks with God if special request is approved.
Associate Professor
Barely clears a Quonset hut. Loses tug of war with locomotive. Can fire a speeding bullet. Swims well. Is occasionally addressed by God.
Assistant Professor
Makes high marks on the walls when trying to leap tall buildings. Is run over by locomotives. Can sometimes handle a gun without inflicting self-injury. Talks to animals.
Graduate Student
Runs into buildings. Recognizes locomotives two out of three times. Is not issued ammunition. Can stay afloat with a life jacket. Talk to walls.
