Prof. Muthoni Masinde
NRF Rating: C2
Dean: Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology
Qualifications: MBA (UFS) | PhD (Computer Science, UCT) | M.Sc. (Computer Science, VUB) | B.Sc. (Computer Science, UoN)
Professional Background
Prof. Muthoni Masinde serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology. She has made notable strides in the fields of Machine Learning and the Internet of Things (IoT), with a specialized focus on incorporating Indigenous Knowledge (IK) to develop innovative, culturally responsive solutions for small-scale farmers.
Key developments in her research include the ML-CROP platform for optimizing crop production, Natural Language Processing (NLP) for IsiZulu translation to bridge communication gaps in Early Warning Systems, and a predictive model for Malaria in the Vhembe district utilizing climate data and IK. Furthermore, she successfully led the second year of the Integrated Climate-driven Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (ICMHEWS), an externally funded collaborative project involving the Government of Finland (GoF), the South African Weather Service (SAWS), and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Professional Leadership & Service
- General Chair: EAI AFRICATEK 2022 Conference, establishing the central theme around the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
- Keynote Speaker: Delivered multiple keynote addresses, including at the UNESCO Southern Africa sub-Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence.
- Project Lead: Integrated Climate-driven Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (ICMHEWS), fostering cross-institutional and international research collaboration.
Areas of Expertise
- • Machine Learning
- • Internet of Things (IoT)
- • Climate Change and Drought Prediction
- • Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IK)
- • Agricultural Solutions for Small-Scale Farmers
Selected Publications
Top Journal Articles & Book Chapters
- • Phoobane, P., Masinde, M. & Mabhaudhi, T. 2022. Predicting Infectious Diseases: A Bibliometric Review on Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), p.1893.
- • Masinde, M. & Atlhopheng, J.R. 2022. Are Africans adapting well to climate change? In: Moseley, W.G. & Otiso, K.M. (eds.). Debating African Issues: Conversations Under the Palaver Tree (1st ed.). Routledge.
- • Masinde, M., Phoobane, P. & Brown, J. 2022. Mkulima Platform: An Inclusive Business Platform Ecosystem that Integrates African Small-Scale Farmers into Agricultural Value Chain. In: Sheikh, Y.H., Rai, I.A. & Bakar, A.D. (eds). e-Infrastructure and e-Services for Developing Countries. AFRICOMM 2021. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, vol 443. Springer, Cham.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06374-9_26 → - • Nyetanyane, J. & Masinde, M. 2022. Development of English-isiZulu Language Translator to Bridge Language Barrier Between EWS and Bantu Language Speaking Farmers. Case of Swayimane, KwazuluNatal, South Africa. 2022 IST-Africa Conference (IST-Africa), pp. 1-11. IEEE.
- • Adeola, O.M., Masinde, M., Botai, J.O., Adeola, A.M. & Botai, C.M. 2021. An Analysis of Precipitation Extreme Events Based on the SPI and EDI Values in the Free State Province, South Africa. Water, 13, 3058.
https://doi.org/10.3390/w13213058 →
