A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Tshwane University of Technology and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in 2015, has yielded significant collaboration between the partners. Celebrating the decade-long, impactful partnership between the two institutions, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), and Prof Ben van Wyk, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching, Learning and Technology, hosted esteemed guests from Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences on 8 April 2025. The delegation included Teemu Kokko, President and CEO and Crister Nyberg, Director of the School of Professional Teacher Education. 

According to Prof Van Wyk, since the signing of the MoU in 2015, the collaboration between TUT and Haaga-Helia has demonstrated substantial and sustained growth. The partnership has yielded tangible outcomes, including the successful graduation of 318 Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) students and 43 Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduates in Educational Management. “These achievements reflect the academic excellence of the programmes offered as well as the shared vision and unwavering commitment of both institutions to advancing professional and leadership development in the higher education sector.”

“The collaborative initiative has expanded through further strategic partnerships with the University of Mpumalanga (UMP), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and Vaal University of Technology (VUT). These alliances have enriched the programme’s reach and diversified its regional impact,” Prof van Wyk added.

“Crucially, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has recognised the value of this cross-institutional initiative by providing funding support through the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP). This backing has enabled the continued development and sustainability of key activities under the collaboration, further embedding the initiative within the national higher education transformation agenda,” Prof Van Wyk continued.

Prof Tinyiko Maluleke flanked by Crister Nyberg and Teemu Kokko.

The partnership between TUT and Haaga-Helia is a model of innovation, resilience, and mutual benefit. It exemplifies how international collaboration can address educational challenges, foster knowledge exchange and support the development of academic leadership across borders.

“As we commemorate this 10-year milestone, we also look to the future with optimism and renewed purpose. The next phase of collaboration envisions further expansion of the AI academic programmes, postgraduate supervisor development initiatives, academic staff exchange programmes and professional development offerings. These strategic focus areas promise to deepen the impact and sustainability of this dynamic partnership,” said Prof Van Wyk.

“This decade of success affirms that TUT and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences share more than just the collaboration—they share a commitment to excellence, equity and innovation in higher education,” he concluded.

Pictured during the visit are from left: Crister Nyberg, Director of the School of Professional Teacher Education (Haaga-Helia); Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, TUT Principal and Vice-Chancellor; Ms Vuyokazi Rorwana, UCDP Manager; Teemu Kokko, President and CEO (Haaga-Helia); and Prof Ben van Wyk, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching, Learning and Technology. 

The African Journal of Sustainable Tourism (AJST), a pioneering academic journal committed to advancing knowledge and innovation in sustainable tourism across the African continent has just been launched.

According to Prof Uwe Hermann from the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Management Sciences the AJST will be a critical platform for scholars, practitioners and policymakers to share original, peer-reviewed research promoting responsible and inclusive tourism practices on the continent and in other developing countries.  

The journal’s vision is Afrocentric, aiming to address the unique socio-cultural, economic and environmental dynamics that shape tourism development in the region, while also contributing to the achievement of the United National Sustainable Development Goals and beyond.

"Tourism is a powerful catalyst for sustainable development, but its potential in Africa remains underexplored. This journal is dedicated to showcasing African scholarship, amplifying local voices and fostering a dialogue that can drive real change in the industry," said Prof Uwe Hermann, Editor-in-Chief of the AJST. 

Prof Uwe Hermann, Editor-in-Chief of the newly launched AJST

AOSIS, a reputable academic publisher in South Africa, publishes the AJST. For more information or to submit a manuscript, visit www.ajstjournal.org 

 By Thembeka Manetje 

Three outstanding women made history when they earned their Doctor of Computing (Computer Systems Engineering) degrees from the Tshwane University of Technology's Faculty of Information and Communication Technology on 7 April 2025, This remarkable achievement stands out, not only because of their academic excellence but also due to the broader societal context in which it was accomplished.

In a field where ICT has long been perceived as a male-dominated field, the fact that all three of the University’s doctoral graduates in this discipline are women, is especially noteworthy. This accomplishment challenges the stigma surrounding the ICT sphere, proving that women can excel and lead in areas traditionally considered to be for males.

Drs Juliana Adeola Adisa, Dorcas Oladayo Esan and Moanda Diana Pholo’s respective pioneering research made unique and significant contributions to the field of computer systems engineering. Their work represents a powerful response to the biases that continue to exist in the tech world, offering inspiring examples of how women can shape the future of technology.

Three outstanding women, Drs Juliana Adeola Adisa, Dorcas Oladayo Esan and Moanda Diana Pholo, made history when they earned their Doctor of Computing (Computer Systems Engineering) degrees.

Adoption of Deep Learning Techniques for Prediction of Financial Crises: Bankruptcy and Credit Scoring

Dr Juliana Adeola Adisa’s research, titled "Adoption of Deep Learning Techniques for Prediction of Financial Crises: Bankruptcy and Credit Scoring," tackled critical financial issues. By employing a Binary Swarm Optimization (BPSO) technique alongside a Bi-LSTM-CNN-based Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) deep learning model, Dr Adisa developed the Particle Swarm Optimization Synthetic Feature Generative Adversarial Networks (PSOSF-GAN) – a novel hybrid deep learning model. This model combines a synthetic feature generation algorithm with BPSO for feature selection and a Bi-LSTM/CNN-based GAN to predict financial distress, offering a new tool for bankruptcy prediction and credit scoring.

Enhancement and Regeneration of 3-Dimensional African Artistic Images with Artificial Intelligence

Dr Dorcas Oladayo Esan’s thesis, "Enhancement and Regeneration of 3-Dimensional African Artistic Images with Artificial Intelligence," addressed challenges in the generation and accessibility of African art. With the aim of improving the quality and availability of 3D African art, Dr Esan utilized the Variational Autoencoder-Three-Dimensional Signed Distance Function Cycle Generative Adversarial Network (VAE-3DSDFCycleGAN) to enhance and regenerate 3D images from 2D African art. This breakthrough has significant implications for both artistic design and accessibility, helping preserve and share African culture in new and innovative ways.

Differentiating Lymphoma from Tuberculosis and COVID-19 Using Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing 

Dr Moanda Diana Pholo’s research, titled "Differentiating Lymphoma from Tuberculosis and COVID-19 Using Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing," explored how artificial intelligence could be applied to medical diagnostics. By developing an AI-driven diagnostic framework, Dr Pholo’s study focused on using machine learning to differentiate between lymphoma, tuberculosis, and COVID-19, based on clinical indicators. This framework promises to improve disease classification accuracy and assist in more timely and effective diagnosis in healthcare settings.

Together, Drs Adisa, Esan and Pholo’s research embodies the transformative power of women in technology. Their groundbreaking contributions highlight the increasing need for diversity and inclusivity in the ICT sector, demonstrating that women are not only capable but are leading the way in shaping the future of technology, finance, healthcare and art.

FoICT proudly celebrates these remarkable women and looks forward to the lasting impact their work will have on the global stage. Their achievements serve as an inspiring reminder to all that barriers are meant to be broken and that women are integral to the advancement of the tech world.

By Kgothatso Monono

Prof Pius Owolawi, Assistant Dean at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT) had the honour of delivering an insightful keynote address titled “From Graduate to Game-Changer: Innovating Africa’s Future with AI” during the 7 April 2025 graduation ceremony at the Vaal University of Technology’s Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences. His speech challenged graduates to become the architects of a new African narrative, one powered by technology, inspired by purpose and grounded in leadership.

Prof Pius Owolawi, Assistant Dean at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Information and Communication Technology

In relation to transformation, innovation and agency, Prof Owolawi who is responsible for Industry Liaison, Special projects and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) used a powerful metaphor of an eagle and a lion to paint a vision of the graduate as a dual force of foresight and courage. “The eagle does not flap its wings wildly; it gracefully soars. Use your knowledge to rise above the chaos. See possibilities, see solutions. The lion, not the fastest nor the biggest animal, leads with a mindset. With strategy, let your roar be your ideas. Solve problems with grace and confidence.”

Prof Owolawi, an accomplished academic, engineer and industry expert, addressed the audience of graduates, parents, the faculty, industry leaders and dignitaries, including VUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Khehla Ndlovu, emphasising that Africa is standing at the cusp of an AI revolution and the young minds that are graduating are its most powerful catalysts.

He spotlighted local innovations that defy the idea that tech breakthroughs are reserved for Silicon Valley: “From Kenya’s Twiga Foods using AI to reduce food waste, to Aerobatics in South Africa deploying drones for smart agriculture, to AI-powered medical drone delivery systems in Rwanda. These are not imported miracles; they are African success stories. Built by people just like you,” he said.

Pushing further into the cutting edge, he introduced graduates to the emerging frontiers of Generative and Agentic AI systems, not only creating content but adapting, thinking and acting. He urged students to lead in technological innovation and see themselves as job creators as well as problem solvers, armed with the tools of the fourth industrial revolution.

With poetic power, he closed his address by calling on the graduates to embrace both their “lion-hearted leadership and eagle-eyed vision,” leaving them with a powerful affirmation: “You are not simply engineers or developers, you are nation-builders, code-crafters, visionaries and game-changers.”

As the graduates crossed the stage and stepped into the next chapter of their lives, they did so not just with degrees in hand, but with a renewed sense of mission to shape the future of Africa, one innovation at a time.

Prof Owolawi addressed the audience of graduates, parents, the faculty, industry leaders and dignitaries.