He is a leading academic whose contribution to knowledge in the field of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and related areas is widely acknowledged in South Africa, on the African continent and across the world.
Now, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg(UJ), has added another cap to his many collection of titles. The Central South University in Hunan Province, China, has awarded him an Honorary Professorship.
The University’s School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering awarded the honorary degree at a ceremony on 2 September 2019. The conferral means that Prof Marwala becomes only the second person to be awarded the Honorary Professorship by Central South University.
The Honorary Professorship is one of the highest academic awards to be conferred to any individual. In Prof Marwala’s case, it is in recognition his outstanding academic work, and particularly his contribution to the advancement of knowledge within the 4IR discipline. This is evidenced by the high quality and impact of his publications of original research, journals and books, many of which have been widely cited. The conferral is the latest in the long list of recognitions for Prof Marwala as a leading expert in the field of 4IR. His influence in the field reaches far beyond South Africa’s borders, as shown by the many keynote lectures and international conferences he appears in as a guest speaker.
Says Prof Marwala about the award: “It is an honour and privilege to be recognised by a leading institution of higher learning as the Central South University. This is more than an individual recognition. I dedicated it to the hardworking people I work with at the University of Johannesburg, and to all those who contributed to my success, as well as my family.”
In his acceptance lecture, titled, The Fourth Industrial Revolution – Politics, Economics and Engineering – Impacting Society, Prof Marwala explored applications and impact of the fourth industrial revolution technologies to engineering, social sciences and medical problems.
