by Mosima Rafapa
Kgaugelo Modise from the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE), made history during the recent Autumn graduation ceremonies when she became the first female graduate to obtain a doctorate in Industrial Engineering. The title of her thesis is Development of a predictive model for energy and carbon efficiency for future transport manufacturing enterprises.
Her pioneering accomplishment demonstrates the power of perseverance, dedication and hard work. Modise hopes that her achievement will inspire young girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and to follow in her footsteps.
She reflected on her journey.
Is creating awareness of STEM careers important for you, especially for young girls?
Yes, especially in rural areas. Career awareness must start at primary level because there are still children who struggle to select subjects when they get to grade 10 due to limited knowledge of courses that are available at universities. Furthermore, with fast-evolving technologies, awareness is not just necessary but important. The lives of Generation Z and Generation Alpha revolve around technology. Artificial intelligence is here and our young people are needed to develop such technologies. Most of these developments and analyses require mathematical models. I strongly believe that mathematics should be a mandatory subject in university courses.
How does it feel to be the first TUT female to obtain a doctorate in industrial engineering?
I had no idea that I would become TUT’s first female Doctor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering until the Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering mentioned it during my research defense. Status is usually nit important when I focus on doing anything, rather, I consider how this will benefit the country, starting with my surroundings.
Dr Kgaugelo Modise
Please tell me about your academic achievements and how you decided to study industrial engineering?
I wanted to study chemical or mechanical engineering because that was all I knew. Later, when I went to Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), I studied for a Diploma in Production Management, a subdivision of Industrial Engineering, since Industrial Engineering was full at the time. I furthered my studies at the University of South Africa doing Operations Management. After that, I applied for a Master’s in Industrial Engineering Technology Management because of my experience in technology development.
What odds did you have to overcome to complete your studies?
Firstly, I had to resign from a well-paying job to focus on my studies while starting a business with my husband. Further, being a wife and mother of three demanding teenagers and more than 25 dogs, I had to select my priorities and divide my attention carefully. I thank my husband for supporting me through this challenging journey.
Please tell me about your career and some highlights.
I am the Chairperson of the Advisory Board Committee at TUT’s Institute for Advance Tooling as well as co-founder of Mabopane Auto Center and Mi-Energy. I worked for the Technology Innovation Agency, supporting 18 technology stations across South African Universities and managing the Science, Engineering and Technology industry internship programme (SETIIP). I also held a technology station manager position focusing on process, energy and environment at the University of Johannesburg. Lastly, I worked as a business advisor at a Small Enterprise Development Agency, mentoring start-ups and existing businesses. I also held a manager incubation position, providing management support to over 30 Technology Business Incubators and the Center for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubators nationally.
What are your career ambitions?
To promote climate change-related research through the application of artificial intelligence, with a specific focus on the automotive industry.