An academic from the Faculty of Engineering is now looking at the future with added zeal, after a major development in her academic career. Dr Motheo Tjebane, a Lecturer in the Department of Construction Management & Quantity Surveying Lecturer has won the 2025 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA). The took place in Johannesburg on 21 and 22 August 2025. Dr Tjebane had been selected as a finalist in the 2025 (SAWiSA), under the Doctoral Fellowship category in Engineering.
The usually measured Dr Tjebane, who had a very busy week, said she was “very happy and excited for what the future holds. This is not only an achievement for me, but also for the students I teach at MUT. This goes to show they can go also far and beyond in engineering. I am thankful for the support and love MUT has shown me in my PhD.”
It is the PhD that Dr Tjebane is referring to that started this great leap in her career. Dr Tjebane’s recently completed PhD research at the University of Johannesburg focused on developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-led framework for asset information management in South African hospitals. The project aims to enhance hospital operations by improving asset tracking, maintenance, and lifecycle management, using machine learning and predictive analytics. Dr Tjebane said her research work aligns with South Africa’s Decadal Plan for Science, Technology, and Innovation, particularly in the areas of digital transformation and health innovation.
On 22 August 2025, Dr Tjebane feature on South African Women in Science Awards Media Breakfast Live on SABC’s Morning Live show, where she talked about victory.
The day before, Dr Tjebane was on Radio 2000 afternoon show, where she talked about how her PhD will revolutionise the health care environment. “I did not expect that my PhD would receive recognition from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). My research will influence policy. We are looking at a policy that facilitate access to systems, facilities and infrastructure through artificial intelligence (AI) to service the people of South Africa,” Dr Tjebane responded to a question from the show host. Dr Tjebane also said that her work would eventually become a computer system that will benefit the people of South Africa. “It is intended for anyone in the health care environment. It will also be used by people not in the health care sector,” Dr Tjebane said.
On 20 August Dr Tjebane participated in the 5 L’ORÉAL- SAWISA Empowerment Workshop. The workshop whose speakers were some of the country’s very powerful women, discussed topics that are very relevant to women and academia. Some of these topics were Grant writing and funding navigation for women in STEM, facilitated by Professor Corli Witthuhn of the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development; Mental health, balance and resilience in research careers. This topic was facilitated by Professor Zukiswa Zingela, Dean at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Faculty of Health Sciences.