Prof. Pius A. Owolawi, PhD
Global AI & Business Transformation Executive
Digital Strategy|Industry 4.0|Enterprise Innovation
R94.2M+≈ US$5.0M
Funding Secured / Managed
200+
Peer-Reviewed Publications
2,000+
Citations
Multiple
PhD, MSc & Postdoctoral Fellows Supervised
20+
Years of Leadership Experience
15+
Labs & Platforms Established
About Me
Global AI and business transformation executive with deep experience translating enterprise strategy into funded, governed, and executable digital transformation programs. Combines advanced technical expertise in AI, machine learning, IoT, cloud, robotics, SCADA, data engineering, and smart infrastructure with executive leadership across universities, government agencies, utilities, SETAs, and industry partners.
Core Competencies
Professional Experience
Assistant Dean – Industry Liaison, Special Projects & WIL2025 – Present
Tshwane University of Technology
Lead faculty partnerships, special projects, work-integrated learning, AI-enabled workforce development, and external stakeholder engagement.
MICTSETA Research Chair in 4IR Skills Development2022 – Present
Tshwane University of Technology
Lead national 4IR portfolio: AI, IoT, ML, digital platforms, labs, LMS, e-learning, and workforce capability initiatives.
Project Lead – AI & Machine LearningCurrent
South African Department of Water and Sanitation
Lead AI/ML for water intelligence: forecasting, drought monitoring, analytics, dashboards, and operational insights.
Project Lead – SCADA Design & DevelopmentOngoing
Umgeni Water Treatment Plant
Lead SCADA modernization, automation architecture, PLC/HMI, IoT integration, dashboards, and digital transformation.
Principal Lead Researcher – EEDSM Impact Analysis2025 – 2026
Department of Electricity and Energy
Lead national EEDSM impact analysis, electricity savings forecasting, energy efficiency assessment, and reporting.
Transformation & AI Programs
Enterprise Data Lab (CHIETA)
National Skills Platform (LMS)
Umgeni Water SCADA Modernization
EEDSM Impact Analysis & Savings Forecasting
AI in Agriculture
AI-Integrated Robotic Library
Augmented Reality Heritage Reconstruction
Smart Agriculture & Precision Farming
Education
- PhD, Electronic EngineeringUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal
- MSc, Electronic EngineeringUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal
- BTech Honours, Applied Physics / ElectronicsFederal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
- Multiple Postgraduate Programs (AI/ML, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud, Digital Marketing)University of Texas at Austin & Great Lakes Institute of Management
- Advanced Diploma in Remote Engineering, Mechatronics & Robotics (EIT)Engineering Institute of Technology, Australia
Certifications
- AI & Machine Learning
- Data Science & Business Analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Computing
- Lean Six Sigma (Black, Green, Yellow, White Belts)
- CCNA, CCNP, MCSE, CWNA, CWSP
- Fibre Optic Design & Technician
- Remote Pilot License, PMP Training
- Siemens PLC/HMI Training
Awards & Recognition
- Recognized among Africa Top 500 Researchers
- Senior Researcher of the Year – TUT
- Senate Research Excellence Award – TUT
- Most Outstanding Researcher – Faculty of Eng.
- Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award
- BIARI Alumnus – Brown University, USA
- Best Paper Award – International Conf., Taipei
- Best Engineering Mentor – UKZN
Professional Affiliations
- Engineering Council of South Africa
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE)
- South African Radio League (SARL)
- South African Amateur Radio Satellite Association (SA AMSAT)
- Fibre Optics Association, USA