Innovation Award for UKZN Academic

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The Head of Doctoral Studies at UKZN’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership, Professor Gabriel Kabanda, won an innovation award at the Zimbabwe International Research Symposium 2024.

The award presentation in Harare was made by the President of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Symposium’s theme was: “Embracing Research and Innovation for Sustainable Industrialisation” with the event providing a platform to allow participants to share ideas, present findings and explore solutions to industrial challenges.

Kabanda won in the National Security Sector: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Big Data Analytics Advancing Sustainability and Security in Zimbabwe. His project was titled: “Accelerated Sustainability with AI/Machine Learning and Metaverse-based Big Data Analytics Architecture for Fast-Tracking SDG Implementation in Zimbabwe”.

Kabanda says winning the award was a significant advancement in his academic and professional career. ‘The achievement not only enhances my standing within the global scholarly community but also creates new pathways for contributing to meaningful, transformative initiatives.

‘It also opens doors to high-level collaborative endeavours, both within academia and industry, holding the potential for invitations to deliver keynote addresses at international forums, consult on major projects and take on influential advisory roles.’

Kabanda has been invited to speak at an international symposium organised by the British Blockchain Association.

Words: Lungile Ngubelanga

Photograph: Supplied