MIA Brag Book 2026/27 Collection
________________________________________________________________ School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering University of the Witwatersrand Braamfontein East Campus, Yale Road, Johannesburg, South Africa
Partner with the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Aeronautical Engineering at Africa’s top university and you gain access to specialist labs, research talent, and a pipeline of work-ready graduates, backed by over a century of engineering leadership. We offer our industry collaborators the opportunity to continue building this legacy; bringing industry, innovation, and education together to shape the future. Invest in this future, while partnering in the development of world class engineering education, built around safety, excellence, and creativity. MIA Industry Engagement Mission Statement The School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Aeronautical Engineering aims to seek out and engage with industry so as to explore prospective research collaborations, secure promising investment opportunities, and pave the road for student employment through world class education and industry relationships. In so doing, we wish to capitalise on means to further advance our current research capabilities, infrastructure and equipment, through strategic industry partnerships, while fully utilising our assets to support relevant industry research and service needs. Direct involvement opportunities Speak to us about our core focus areas and get involved in shaping the future, guided by your industry needs: 1.
Access to our world-class lab facilities.
2.
Commission contract research & research consulting.
3.
Sponsorship towards research units, equipment, research chairs, and students.
4.
Technology development and co-development.
5.
An unrestricted Section 18A donation.
Claudia Polese
MSc (Aeronautical Engineering), PhD (Aerospace Engineering), Pr Eng (Italy) Associate Professor in Aerospace Manufacturing and Design Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy (Cav. OSI) Head of the MIA VIA Unit School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering University of the Witwatersrand E: Claudia.Polese@wits.ac.za M: +27 (0) 82 51 33220 W: https://www.wits.ac.za/mia/
South West Engineering Building, 1st Floor, Room 121, East Campus, Yale Road, Braamfontein, 2050, Johannesburg
2026
Message from the Head
Engineering that moves the world. The Wits School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Aeronautical (MIA) Engineering turns industrial problems into tested solutions and actionable insights. Our supersonic wind tunnel, cold spray and additive manufacturing facilities, advanced ultrasonic and non-destructive testing, and mechatronic, automation and digitisation labs are open to partners who need answers and solutions, not opinions. Sponsored research fellows give you a dedicated, experienced researcher working full time on your problem, delivering quality solutions and insight at a fraction of the cost of a consultancy. Around them sits a team of postgraduate students, so one investment builds both the answer, solution, and the people who understand it. Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and every partnership makes them better engineers. Partner with us and help guide our educational focus, meet your future graduates before your competitors do, and gain a research team that treats your constraints as their design
brief.
Invest
in
MIA.
Build
the
capability
your
sector
needs.
Daniel N. Wilke Head of the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Aeronautical Engineering Professor (PhD, PrEng) University of the Witwatersrand 🖂🖂 Daniel.Wilke@wits.ac.za www.wits.ac.za South West Engineering, 1st Floor, Room 102, Braamfontein Campus East, Jorissen Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
____________________________________________________________________________________ Message from the Industry Advisory Board The Industry Advisory Board engages with senior faculty staff regularly to assess opportunities and areas for development that support engineering requirements across various industrial sectors. This includes senior student projects, that can assist companies, and vacation training opportunities, that provide students with real-world experience. Subject-matter enhancements, such as AI-related skills used in industry, are explored to improve the symbiotic relationship we enjoy. Paul Makins Chairperson of the MIA Industry Advisory Board Pr.Eng. Makins Consulting (Pty) Ltd 🖂🖂 paulmakins@protonmail.com
Mechanical, Industrial, and Aeronautical Engineering (MIA) Workshop The MIA workshop, equipped with diverse state-of-the-art equipment, primarily exists to support the research and teaching activities in the School, while supporting industry collaborations.
Bridgeport GX1000 3 (+1) axis CNC Milling Machine
Manual milling and turning machines
Gold San CNC Wire Cut Electrical Discharge Machining
The MIA workshop is open for business: • With a skilled team of professional technicians with expertise in machining operations. • Get in touch for your needs in: Precision milling, drilling, boring, tapping, contouring, etc. EDM machining of complex 2D and 3D profiles which are difficult to produce with conventional cutting methods. Meet our Team
J. Sithole, R. Parumal, S. Riekert, K. Phaka, A. Heydenrych, S. Mthethwa, Z. Netshisaulu, P. Radebe
Contact the Technical Manager: Shaun.Riekert@wits.ac.za
TUNRA Bulk Solids Africa Laboratory The TUNRA Bulk Solids Africa (TBSA) laboratory serves the dual role of providing independent consulting services to international mining and bulk materials handling corporations (flow properties measurements, contract research etc.), as well opportunity for undergraduate and postgraduate research into the characterisation of bulk materials. Internal shear
Jenike Shear Tester
Shear failure of sand*
(* why you cannot walk fast on the beach!)
Email: August.Lamos@wits.ac.za Terrance.Frangakis@wits.ac.za
TBSA operates under license of TUNRA Bulk Solids at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Wits Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing Lab Cold Spray is a diverse, low temperature, solid-state material deposition technique, utilising powder entrained supersonic gas flow. The technology is well suited for: - Advanced repair and restoration processes - Specialised surface coating requirements - Additive manufacturing applications
Centerline SST Series P Low Pressure Cold Spray System School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering University of the Witwatersrand North West Engineering Building 🌐🌐Wits.ac.za/mia/ 🖂🖂 Michael.Lucas@wits.ac.za 🖂🖂 Claudia.Polese@wits.ac.za
Thermal-Fluids Laboratory
The Thermal-Fluids laboratory was established in 2010 to investigate fundamental and applied thermal-fluids problems. Particularly, in automotive ventilated disc brakes, and the internal and external cooling of gas turbine blades. In addition, research into the fundamental aerodynamic behaviour of wind turbines is ongoing. The laboratory is specialized in experimental techniques, such as hot wire anemometry, particle image velocimetry (PIV), thermochromic liquid crystals (TLCs), and pressure–based fluid flow measurements using pitot-static tubes, and multi-hole probes.
a) b) c) d)
End-wall flow topology from Horseshoe vortices around a circular pin-fin using an oil-dye painted surface Velocity contours and corresponding flow visualization of jet impingement on a cylinder using particle image velocimetry End-wall heat transfer resulting from a pin-fin subjected to an impinging jet flow using infrared camera (inset – corresponding velocity contours in mid-height plane using particle image velocimetry) End-wall flow temperature mapping of a rotating pin-fin disc brake using thermochromic liquid crystals
Contact Persons Dr Michael Atkins, Email: Michael.Atkins@wits.ac.za, ORCID: 0000-0002-9903-9719 Dr Sjouke Schekman, Email: Sjouke.Schekman@wits.ac.za, ORCID: 0000-0002-9278-5049
Archery Laboratory An archery laboratory is a specialised facility dedicated to the scientific study and testing of archery equipment. It is equipped with rigs and instruments to analyse the performance and consistency of bows, arrows, and related accessories. Additionally, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is utilised to examine archery equipment, model various shooting conditions, and optimise design. The archery laboratory aims to deepen understanding of archery physics, improve equipment quality, and enhance shooting accuracy through meticulous research and testing.
Chang Hye Jin (Korea) https://www.worldarchery.sport/
Brady Ellison (USA) https://www.worldarchery.sport/
Deformation of the limbs during the draw phase
Bow tested on the rig in the archery lab
Analysis of preferred weight configuration for barebow shooting style Objective and subjective measurements of the influence of dampers on the shooting experience of barebow archers Investigation into the correlations between engineering measurements and archers’ perceptions of different limbs in a recurve bow
Email: Francesco.Pietra@wits.ac.za
Wind tunnel Facilities The School operates two low-speed wind tunnels: a continuous tunnel capable of testing up to 80m/s, and a larger draw-down tunnel capable of testing up to 20m/s. Both facilities are equipped to measure aerodynamic forces and surface pressures on test models. The facility is used to support research in low-speed aerodynamics and to provide experimental validation for CFD-based research for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Our facility is open for industry to use. We offer comprehensive services for industry, ranging from model design and manufacturing to data capture and data analysis. Wind tunnel service packages can be tailored to meet your specific industry requirements.
Draw-down wind tunnel
Continuous low-speed tunnel Prevani Kistan-Naidoo Prevani.Kistan-Naidoo@wits.ac.za
African Centre for Materials, Manufacturing, Innovation & Technology (Ac-MMIT) Ac-MMIT exists to advance cutting edge research, postgraduate training, and industrial innovation at the intersection of materials science, manufacturing engineering, digital technologies, and sustainability. Material Design: • Industry Grade Cutting Inserts Development • Laser Surface Engineering
Advanced Manufacturing: • CNC Machining
Simulation, Performance Testing and Optimisation: • Process monitoring (via thermal imaging)
To drive progress and industrial growth, Ac-MMIT is dedicated to:
Generating HighImpact Knowledge
Strengthening African Research Capability
Localising Advanced Manufacturing (Eco & Sustainable)
Contact us: Mahlatse.Rabothata@wits.ac.za or Rodney.Genga@wits.ac.za
Accelerating Research Translation into Industrial Applications
Sustainable Energy Asset Management &
We focus on developing innovative solutions that improve energy efficiency, energy security, equipment reliability, and industrial sustainability. We integrate renewable energy technologies, GreenHydrogen solutions, advanced asset management, advanced maintenance techniques, artificial intelligence, and data-driven optimisation to enhance operational performance.
Energy Auditing and Efficiency
Renewable Energy Integration
Green Hydrogen Technologies
Asset Performance Optimisation Facilities Tools & Workshop Material Management Cost Management
Maintenance Tactics
5 4 3 2 1 0
Work Management Defect Elimination Performance Management
Organisational Structure Information Management
IMPACT & VALUE
CARBON FOOTPRINT
ENERGY COST
ENERGY SECURITY
ASSET PERFORMANCE
Life Cycle Management
Operate for Reliability
Quality of Workmanship
INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS
Dr Blessed Sarema: blessed.sarema@wits.ac.za
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
MIA RESEARCH UNIT
Mechatronics
Building the Future Through Mechatronics
Mechatronics fuses mechanical design, electronics and intelligent software into one discipline. Our research spans autonomous mobile & aerial robots, robotic manipulators & intelligent systems.
Through
modelling, simulation & experimentation with mechatronic systems for industrial, mining, transport, medical, and lifestyle applications, Wits prepares graduates to drive innovation and tackle tomorrow's engineering challenges. The School will be launching a new degree programme, BSc(Eng) Mechatronics, in 2028.
Aerial robotics
Robotic manipulation
Humanoid robotics
Autonomous mobile robots
Industrial automation
Robot customisation
INDUSTRY APPLICATION & OPPORTUNITIES Automation, robotics & digital tools for smart mining and Industry 4.0
UAV/drone technology, simulation & testing
Collaborative research, capstone sponsorship, postgraduate bursaries & graduate recruitment
CONTACT Stream Head: Mechatronics — Dr Chioniso Kuchwa-Dube • Chioniso.Kuchwa-Dube@wits.ac.za Stakeholder Liaison — Dr Aarti Panday • Aarti.Panday@wits.ac.za
Accelerating Socioeconomic Transformation through Excellence in Mechatronics Engineering
Flow Research Unit
The development of the industry-research link between the School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Aeronautical Engineering, and Aerospace Group at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is in progress! This has begun with a final year student Performing UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) design, build, and test work to characterize the aerodynamic performance of the aircraft. This provides hands-on experience with good exposure to both theory and practice. The Aerospace Group is a research unit at the CSIR, Pretoria campus and with a wide range of aeronautical research and development.
These images show Mr. K. Kholwane, a final year aeronautical engineering student at Wits University, working at the UAV Lab at CSIR, Pretoria campus (top-left and bottom left). CSIR Modular research vehicle (top-right), and preparing for flight test, bottom right
Contact Persons Dr Irshaad Mahomed, Email: Irshaad.Mahomed@wits.ac.za, ORCID: 0000-0002-2537-9024 Dr Aarti Panday, Email: aarti.panday@wits.ac.za, ORCID: 0000-0001-8915-2286
MacFLI The Metal Aeronautical Components Fatigue Life Improvement (MacFLI) Group was established at Wits in 2009. The Group utilises state-of-the-art research facilities while providing undergraduate and postgraduate students with opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research. MacFLI is a specialised research group focuses on the study of fatigue, fracture mechanics, and damage tolerance of metallic aeronautical structures. Its research aims to improve the structural integrity, durability, and service life of critical aerospace components through the development and application of advanced engineering solutions. The Group is the only research centre in Africa with the in-house expertise and facilities to integrate advanced manufacturing technologies, such as Friction Stir Welding (FSW), with advanced surface engineering processes, including Laser Shock Peening (LSP), enabling innovative approaches to the repair, manufacture, and life extension of aeronautical structures. In addition, the Group has extensive expertise in Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and multi-objective optimisation, providing powerful computational tools to support experimental investigations, optimise component design and manufacturing processes, and deliver comprehensive engineering solutions for the aerospace industry.
Contact Person: Prof. Claudia Polese
🖂🖂 Claudia.Polese@wits.ac.za ORCID: 0000-0003-2662-8114
Additive Manufacturing Lab Established in 2025 around the proudly South African HYRAX Laser Powder Bed Fusion System to provide end-to-end additive manufacturing (AM), process optimisation, and part qualification. Expertise in Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), build preparation and process planning, post-processing, material and microstructural characterisation, mechanical testing, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Focused on the development of innovative engineering solutions for design, manufacture, and optimisation of high-performance AM parts.
Research-Industry Opportunities:
Biomedical
Aerospace
Automotive
Energy
Mining
Manufacturing
Contact Persons: Mr Tristan Strydom 🖂🖂 Tristan.Strydom@wits.ac.za
Prof. Claudia Polese 🖂🖂 Claudia.Polese@wits.ac.za
Academic Research Interests As an engineering department much of the research in the School is strongly linked with Industry's needs, both in problem-solving and in the development of new technologies.
Mechanical / Aeronautical Engineering Dr Michael Atkins Fundamental and applied aerodynamics, flow control, thermofluids in gas turbine engines, thermal‐hydraulics in CANDU reactors, particle image velocimetry and planar laser visualization. 🖂🖂 Michael.Atkins@wits.ac.za Mr Wesley Dharmalingum Parallel kinematic manipulators, robotics, mechanisms, mechatronics and optimisation. 🖂🖂 Wesley.Dharmalingum@wits.ac.za Mr Terrance Frangakis Bulk materials handling, flow properties of bulk materials, mechanical vibrations, applied mechanics (dynamics). 🖂🖂 Terrance.Frangakis@wits.ac.za Prof. Kamran Hassani Biomechanics (including ergonomics), welding engineering, non-destructive tests, pressure vessels, computational fluid dynamics in mechanical engineering. 🖂🖂 Kamran.Hassani@wits.ac.za Prof. Philip Loveday Vibration, Acoustics and Ultrasound. Guided Wave Ultrasound for Non‐Destructive Evaluation and Structural Health Monitoring. Piezoelectric Sensors and Actuators. Numerical Modelling and Measurement. 🖂🖂 Philip.Loveday@wits.ac.za Dr Michael Lucas Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing for design, repair and restoration of engineering components. Functional surface coatings, specialising in self-sanitising surfaces. Interdisciplinary applications of Cold Spray. Surface topography and adhesion properties of coatings. 🖂🖂 Michael.Lucas@wits.ac.za
Academic Research Interests (cont.) Dr Chioniso Kuchwa-Dube Intelligent autonomous mobile robots, aerial robots, robotic manipulators, design of mechatronic systems. 🖂🖂 Chioniso.Kuchwa‐Dube@wits.ac.za Dr Irshaad Mohamed Accelerating Aerodynamics, Transonic/Supersonic flows, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). 🖂🖂 Irshaad.Mahomed@wits.ac.za Ms Makhosazana Moyo Flight Dynamics modelling and simulation, Intelligent Systems and Control, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle technology, Automation and Robotics. 🖂🖂 Makhosazana.Moyo@wits.ac.za Dr Tiyamike Ngonda Renewable and clean-energy technologies, Energy for Sustainable Development, Ground-to-air heat exchangers, Refrigeration and air conditioning, Engineering Education. 🖂🖂 Tiyamike.Ngonda@wits.ac.za Dr Aarti Panday Aircraft design, aircraft performance, flight dynamics, aircraft flight control, aircraft certification. Mathematical modelling, simulation and controller design of mechatronic systems for industrial, transport, medical and lifestyle applications. Integration of artificial intelligence in control systems. Ethicsof artificial intelligence. Technology management & commercialisation. Technology transfer & adoption of technologies in society. Development of science policy. 🖂🖂 Aarti.Panday@wits.ac.za Dr Randall Paton Highly transient, compressible gas flows particularly in the field of impulsive motion and vortices, as well as weak shock dynamics and acoustics; computational fluid dynamics modelling and analysis of such gas flows; application of Machine Learning techniques to gas dynamics (data processing; surrogate modelling; aerodynamic optimisation). 🖂🖂 Randall.Paton@wits.ac.za
Academic Research Interests (cont.) Dr Francesco Pietra Design and performance analysis for archery-related supportive equipment. Finite Element (FE) Mechanical research, involving developing mechanical simulations with the use of the software Ansys. Non‐linear simulations (large deformation, buckling, contacts), non‐linear material simulations (plasticity, hyper‐elasticity, creep, etc.), dynamic simulations (vibrations and explicit dynamics), APDL (Ansys Parametric Design Language), thermal simulations and fatigue simulations. 🖂🖂 Francesco.Pietra@wits.ac.za Prof. Claudia Polese Fatigue, Fracture Mechanics and Damage Tolerance analysis of metallic aircraft structures; Conventional and advanced aerospace technologies (e.g., Laser Shock Peening, Cold Spray, Additive Manufacturing, etc.); innovative welding technologies (e.g., Friction Stir Welding, Laser Welding); Titanium Machining, Minimum Quantity Lubrication; Mechanical testing and material characterisation, Finite Element Analysis and processes optimisation. 🖂🖂 Claudia.Polese@wits.ac.za Prof. Robert Reid Residual stress measurement techniques, analysis of composite structures and functionally graded materials. 🖂🖂 Robert.Reid@wits.ac.za Dr Hamed Roohani Unsteady compressible fluid dynamics generated by bodies in accelerated motion. Internal combustion engines research with special focus on alternative fuels such as hydrogen and natural gas. Refrigeration and air conditioning systems with special emphasis on solar energy applications in these areas. 🖂🖂 Hamed.Roohani@wits.ac.za Dr Sjouke Schekman Thermodynamics, Microfluidics, Pin-fins, Turbine blade cooling, Jet impingement, Engineering design, Flow visualisation, Particle Image Velocimetry, Aircraft Design and Aerodynamics. 🖂🖂 Sjouke.Schekman@wits.ac.za
Academic Research Interests (cont.) Prof. Mohsen Sharifpur Thermofluids and nanotechnology, specializing in exploring advanced heat transfer mechanisms, with a particular focus on nanofluids and their applications in sustainable energy systems. Mathematical modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and experimental investigations to enhance energy efficiency, stability, and performance in thermal systems. 🖂🖂 Mohsen.Sharifpur@wits.ac.za Dr Tiaan Smit Prediction and measurement of residual stresses in composite materials, additive manufacturing and metallic components that underwent advanced surface treatment such as laser shock peening or cold gas dynamic spraying. Extension and optimisation of relaxation techniques and accompanying computational methods for residual stress measurement, particularly the incremental hole-drilling technique. 🖂🖂 Teubes.Smit@wits.ac.za Dr Ronny Tebeta Experimental, simulation, and theoretical analysis of polymer-based nanocomposites, and adhesives. Specifically thermal properties, rheological behavior, mechanical properties, specific strength, fatigue, fracture and the toughness of the reinforced polymers, structural adhesive toughness, and their bonding mechanisms evaluation. 🖂🖂 Ronny.Tebeta@wits.ac.za Dr Andre Storm Thermodynamic cycle design, focusing on Brayton, Rankine and combined cycles. Alternative energy systems. Combustion systems modelling and design with emphasis on coal combustion. 🖂🖂 Andre.Storm@wits.ac.za Prof. Daniel (Nico) Wilke Optimisation, Advanced Numerical Methods Using GPUs, Generative Modeling, Model Inference, Inverse Problems, Statistical- Machine- Deep-Learning, Physical-Asset Digital Twins, Process & Process Material Digital Twins, Condition-Based Monitoring, and Emerging Engineering Technology. 🖂🖂 Daniel.Wilke@wits.ac.za
Academic Research Interests (cont.) Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering and Engineering Management Dr Andries Botha Strategies, Business Process Improvement (Kaizen, Toyota Way, Theory of Constraints, Simulation), Management of Technology, development of Technology Scenarios, Strategic Planning, development of System Dynamics and Optimisation Models, development of Economic Models for Technology Products, Project Management, Integration of Disparate Business Entities into Synergistic Units 🖂🖂 Abotha@alum.mit.edu Dr Mncedisi Dewa Design and development of Digital Assistance Systems (DAS), Systems Engineering (SE), Quality Engineering, Systems modelling and simulation, Project Management (PM), Change Management, Design and development of Information Systems, The Industrial Internet of Things and Engineering Education. 🖂🖂 Mncedisi.Dewa@wits.ac.za Dr Bruno Emwanu Manufacturing strategy (MS) content, process and context in competitive environments. Linkages with business ecosystems, management and leadership, drivers and constraints of competitiveness, business strategy, performance and metrics, technology and innovation, supply chain, industrial policy, internationalisation and globalisation. Application to Services and othersectors. Strategy formulation and implementation complexities. Modelling firms strategically. Within and between firms, investigating approaches from other disciplines, Economic, cognitive and environmental linkages. 🖂🖂 Bruno.Emwanu@wits.ac.za Mr Simphiwe Lukhele Industrial & Manufacturing Systems (Lean Manufacturing, Facility Layout Design, Process Optimization, Ergonomics and Smart Manufacturing). Operations & Service Systems Engineering (Supply Chain and Logistics, Healthcare Systems, Business Process Improvement, Engineering Management and Operational Excellence). Digital Transformation & Intelligent Systems (Industry 5.0, AI, Digital Twins, Smart Cities, Smart Mobility, Digital Integration, Township Digital Economies). Engineering Education & Innovation (Gamification in education, Student Engagement Strategies, Learning-through-engagement and ProjectBased Learning) 🖂🖂 Simphiwe.Lukhele@wits.ac.za
Academic Research Interests (cont.) Dr Rumbidzai Muvunzi Additive manufacturing (AM), sustainable manufacturing and lean manufacturing. This includes industrial applications of metal-based AM such as repair and remanufacturing solutions, the exploration of materials for AM, the development of high-functionality AM components and the development of decision-support systems for AM adoption. Including, process optimisation and sustainable industrial systems to improve manufacturing performance and resource efficiency. 🖂🖂 Rumbidzai.Muvunzi@wits.ac.za Prof. Ezutah Olugu Operations Research, Process Optimization, Soft Computing, Green Supply Chain Management, Reverse Logistics Management, Sustainable Manufacturing, Maintenance & Reliability Engineering, Industrial Ergonomics and Occupational Safety, Tribology. 🖂🖂 Ezutah.Olugu@wits.ac.za Dr Mahlatse Rabothata Advanced manufacturing: laser-based surface modification, sintering and powder processing, and machining. Materials science, composition design and optimisation of cemented carbides, cermets, and high-entropy alloys, materials structure-property characterisation. Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) techniques and optimisation methods. Engineering education and practice. 🖂🖂 Mahlatse.Rabothata@wits.ac.za Dr Blessed Sarema Sustainable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy Systems (Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems, Solar Thermal Energy Systems, and Green Hydrogen Technologies), Processes Optimisation, World-Class Manufacturing Systems, and Physical Asset Management. 🖂🖂 Blessed.Sarema@wits.ac.za Prof. Raj Siriram Firm competitive advantages specifically from a technology, project management and systems thinking perspective. New avenues of research include renewable energy and sustainability and the 4th Industrial revolution. Interesting opportunities exist to explore how firms can gain competitive advantage in a VUCA(Volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environment. 🖂🖂 Rajenlall.Siriram@wits.ac.za Dr Bevan Smith Machine Learning, reinforcement models(LLMs),explainable AI. 🖂🖂 Bevan.Smith@wits.ac.za
learning,
causal
inference
(discovery),
large
language
WITS. FOR GOOD. _____________
Now more than ever we must contribute to solutions for the good of all people. Our tomorrow asks that of us. At Wits, we honour a ‘why’ that leaves things better than we found them. It requires a move to selfless action, to innovate beyond the benefit of the few and self-serving agendas. All Witsies must step up as a society that stands up for the greater good. One driven to equalise progress. To sustain a collective advance. When our minds are focused on joining together with intellectual and emotional strength, we find answers to challenges. That is why at Wits we work with focus to create new knowledge. It is why we develop the originators, the innovators and the critical thinkers - those who actively Front cover MDI Lucas|Current page
shape the 21st Century for the future: For Good
An aerial view of Wits University’s Braamfontein Campus, 1930 To read the full history visit www.wits.ac.za/about-wits/history-and-heritage/
The 100-Year Legacy Continues