Innovation news
Our researchers and innovators are collaborating to leverage the next level of discovery research. We seek to develop new inter-, trans-, and multidisciplinary technologies in education, law, business, engineering, science, health, digital arts and game design, media innovation and digital journalism, and many other fields.
Visit the new Wits Innovation Centre: https://www.wits.ac.za/innovation/wits-innovation-centre/ - a dynamic multidisciplinary hub that enables a space to create, collaborate, and engage in impactful innovation, across disciplines and sectoral boundaries.
Latest News
WIC leadership role changes announced
These reflect the Wits Innovation Centre's agility and responsiveness in continuing to grow the University’s innovation ecosystem.
Affordable new AI device to monitor air pollution hotspots in real-time
A team of particle physicists have rolled out the first inexpensive South African air quality monitoring system using AI to predict areas of high pollution.
The Wits Innovation Foundation for Democracy opens its doors for business
The Foundation looks to reshape discussions about democracy in Africa.
From knowledge to impact: Bridging the academic-entrepreneurship divide
Aspiring African innovators and entrepreneurs converge at Wits to learn skills to transform ideas into market-ready solutions.
Peco Power empowers rural community with Rent-to-Own Electricity
The pioneering technology from Wits is transforming energy access with its new impact-driven Champion Franchise Model.
The psychological games cybercriminals play
Catching online scammers: Our model combines data and behavioural science.
Mobile phone data help track pathogen spread and evolution of superbugs
Novel way to map spread and evolution of pathogens, and their responses to vaccines and antibiotics, reveals how to help predict and prevent future outbreaks.
‘It’s all about the youth’
Dr Solomon Assefa, the former Vice President at IBM Research, delivered the inaugural Professor Barry Dwolatzky Memorial Lecture.
Afretec awards almost $1.7 million
One of the grant recipient projects from Wits University will investigate the role of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Researchers discover a potential vaccine to prevent tuberculosis in people of all ages
In a critical global public health development, a candidate vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) has been created using a gene-editing approach.
How to avoid being hacked: ‘12345’ doesn’t cut it
The question has shifted from whether cyberattacks will occur to when and how they will happen.
New cutting-edge digitisation equipment for Wits Digitisation Centre
This addition marks a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to preserve the University's vast archives and collections.
Wits and Liberty launch new Fintech Hub
New Hub will be a place where researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals can get together to leverage technology to solve problems in the field of finance.
Wits celebrates Intellectual Property Day
By awarding Wits researchers for their contribution to IP rights, the event highlights the integration of innovation and creativity for a shared future.
Study shows pro-western cultural bias in the way AI decisions are explained
Many existing explainable artificial intelligence systems produce explanations that are tailored to individualist, typically western, populations.
Digital trade protocol for Africa: why it matters, what’s in it and what’s still missing
Africa’s market share of the digital trade globally is small. But it has expanded rapidly, outpacing the global average.
Sports Innovation takes centre stage at annual Principals' Function
Representatives from Gauteng feeder schools recently attended Wits University's annual Principals’ Function to recognise outstanding school principals.
Rooftop projects boost clean energy
There are 14 solar installations across Wits to promote environmental and financial sustainability. This is in addition to the hybrid hot water system.
Solar benches facilitate outdoor learning
Benches hardly spark conversations but the new benches on campus are hitting the right notes with students.
Launch of Irish Tech Challenge SA 2024 ignites innovation
The Tech Challenge seeks to foster partnerships between South African and Irish startups.
How academics can counter ‘AI thinks, therefore I am’
2023 will be remembered as the year that artificial intelligence (AI) – or, more specifically, large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT – changed the world.
South African technology winners visit Dublin
Pelebox founder, Neo Hutiri, is one of the five winners of the Irish Tech Challenge - a prestigious competition seeking to unearth high-impact SA start-ups.
Journalism in the age of social media and AI
Digging for the truth has become easier and far more convenient, but distinguishing fact from fake has become more complicated in the digitised world.
3D scanning: We recreated a sacred South African site
One criticism of current 3D models of archaeological sites is that they are presented devoid of human traces and history. We captured the spirit with our model.
Mission impossible? Not for these postdocs
8 Postdoc Fellows join Wits to boost research on the intersecting themes of climate change, just transition, sustainability, and inequality.
Researchers demonstrate that quantum entanglement and topology are inextricably linked
This experimental milestone allows for the preservation of quantum information even when entanglement is fragile.
Water and sanitation problem-solvers win
Wits students among top teams at the Sustainathon 2023, bringing home great prizes.
Turning green grass into gold
Academia can help show how the cannabis industry can be a thriving sector in the country.
Printing 3D patches to heal wounds
New biotechnical treatments can fast-track recovery from traumatic injuries.
New Optica Emerging Leader in Optics Chair
SA visionary and quantum expert, Dr Isaac Nape, has been appointed as the inaugural Chair that seeks to advance quantum research.
'Teleporting' images across a network securely using only light
Researchers show for the first time, how we can transport images across a network without physically sending the image.
Upgraded Micro-CT Scanner to advance research
Advanced 3D imaging technology allows for fossil-bearing rocks to be examined non-invasively and saves time and resources.
Wits researchers pioneer a new way of searching for Dark Matter
Researchers explore whether Dark Matter particles actually are produced inside a jet of standard model particles.
WMI summit explores the changing mining landscape
The Summit is another step forward in developing mining tech and skills to drive a low-carbon future and just energy transition.
What to see and what to do at the 2023 Fak'ugesi Festival
A virtual feast of Africa’s best creative showcases, digital workshops, talks, music, and digital art exhibitions
Wits launches new PGDip in Science in the field of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Graduates and third year students encouraged to apply now for the new PG Diploma to drive business ownership and job creation.
How do we use Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education for Good?
Wits workshop on Learning and Teaching debates responsibility, equity, and access of generative AI in Higher Education.
Wits scientists opens up the world of pharmaceutical research at National Science Week
Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform use the national science fair to interact with future generation of scientists, healthcare professionals, and innovators.
Immersive experiences with Wits NeuRL
NeuRL’s Immersive Virtual Reality Lab uses innovative body owner illusions to understand cross-cultural bias.
Wits-UoE research partnership ‘heads to Space’
Researchers from Wits and the University of Edinburgh held a symposium to explore collaborative opportunities for Space Research projects.
Supporting youth to become job creators
The next generation is essential to Africa's future and to global shared interests in creating a safer, healthier, and more prosperous world.
Smarter human oversight is crucial in facial recognition AI
Enhanced human verification techniques and practices will always be required to ensure accuracy and ward off inherent biases.
Researchers demonstrate noise-free communication with structured light
A new approach to optical communication that can be deployed with conventional technology.
Wits mourns the passing of Prof. Barry - SA's 'Grand Geek'
South Africa has lost an innovator, a strategist, a humanitarian, and a much-loved Professor who dedicated over 50 years of his life to Wits.
Wits Innovation Centre signals a new era in #InnovationForGood
The WIC will harness the creativity and ingenuity of the University’s rich, diverse community of innovators to solve complex, real-world problems.
Fine advice on failing, luck and limiting expertise
Wits University awarded Dr David Fine an honorary degree at the Faculty of Science graduation ceremony on 17 April 2023.
Be(IE) innovators of the future
The first Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Course sparks a new era for #WitsInnovation.
Sun-powered microgrid study launched in Pretoria
The Pecogrid pilot study will examine the viability of the large-scale rollout of microgrid inverter systems in informal communities.
Two leading Wits scientists appointed to National Advisory Council on Innovation
Professor Lynn Morris and Professor Bavesh Kana will advise government on how to harness and grow innovation.
Wits and Telkom launch new industry solutions lab
Telkom and Wits sign a partnership agreement to establish the new Telkom Industry Solutions Lab.
Dr Mitch Cox named 2023 Optica Ambassador
He is one of 10 exceptional early-career members selected from around the world to serve as a 2023 Optical Foundation Ambassador.
Wits Innovation Centre announces team
Dr Adam Pantanowitz has been appointed as Chair in Innovation and Director of the WIC, and Letlotlo Phohole as Senior Programme Manager.
Wits physicist is joint winner of The World Academy of Sciences award
Professor Andrew Forbes shares the award for physics with Professor Jueinai Kwo of Taiwan.
New high-tech Digital Dome catapults Johannesburg Planetarium into the future
Wits University and Anglo American to transform the Johannesburg Planetarium into a world-class digital research, training, and science engagement facility.
Worker organisations can survive the digital age. Here’s how
In the face of a decline in traditional union membership, it’s critical to focus on where resistance is taking place, rather than where it is not.
Global recognition for research and innovation in pharmaceutical sciences
Wits Professor of Pharmacy, Yahya Choonara, is the 2022 FIP Distinguished Pharmaceutical Science Award winner.
‘Dad’s subwoofer’, an electric walking cane, and, is that lighting!?
4th year engineering students show off their bold and visionary solutions with amazing final-year projects.
Looking ahead from a life of new beginnings
Emeritus Professor Barry Dwolatzky launches inspirational memoir, smartly capturing his less-than-ordinary coded history.
Africa’s first endovascular robotic unit will advance research and enable ‘outreach intelligence’
The new unit at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC) is both a robotics research opportunity and a global responsibility.
Immersive, magical, hopeful - Africa leads #FromNowOn
Africa’s first Digital Creativity Awards brings a sense of wonder and applauds the meteoric rise of African creativity in the digital space.
Wits to kick-start a national quantum technologies initiative with R54 million funding
The South African Quantum Technologies Initiative (SA QuTI) aims develop a well-established critical mass in the national quantum community.
Major partnership to drive digital transformation in Africa
The Afretec network has made 20 million US dollars available to members, including Wits, to collaborate in engineering and technology.
SA ICT employers, practitioners look to global skills markets
The number of SA employers reporting they are recruiting ICT skills overseas has increased dramatically in the past year – up from 38% to over 50%.
100 years of innovation and inventions
Various innovations after the past century have improved the world for many - but there’s still much more for universities to do.
Curios.ty 14 (#Wits100): A century of doing good
Wits' research magazine celebrates 100 years of changing the world for good.
100 Years of changing the world. For Good
Guest Editorial: Wits remains a beacon of hope in society. We continue to strive for excellence in all that we do and use our knowledge for the good of society.
Stay curious – there’s a whole new world coming in 2122
Editorial: The stories in Curios.ty 14: #Wits100 showcase the University’s sustained participation, influence and impact in the lab, the classroom, and society.
The Wits Digital Dome to light up the sky
It’s the end of an era as Wits Planetarium is reimagined as a ‘out of this world’ digital dome.
Identifying faces to recognise humanity
The development of the Wits Face Database: An African database of high-resolution facial photographs.
CTIF & Jamfest 2022: Unplugged - but still connected
Joint hybrid conferences for African civic tech innovators and media makers, journalism innovators, and other creatives.
Machines will not replace humans, yet!
Expert calls for development of a new kind of AI that is provably beneficial to humans
Countdown to Fak'ugesi Festival 2022
Happening from 13 - 21 October, this year's digital innovation festival returns to its home at Wits' Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein.
Auto manufacturing is changing: how to protect workers
South Africa should ensure that changes to energy-efficient vehicles are done in a way that creates jobs and protects workers.
What’s wrong with the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Pasha Podcast: Innovation in the digital space is not necessarily working for people in the global south.
Mind-blown by interactive brain experiences
A showcase of local neuroscience talent was on display by Wits NeuRL and collaborators at the recent #Wits100 event.
Wits innovation changing the world for good
Wits University is home to a wellspring of talent from multiple disciplines where life-changing innovation is incubated.
Digital labour platforms subject global South workers to ‘algorithmic insecurity’
Digital platform work is often seen to suit workers’ skills, interests and schedules. But it comes at a cost to their economic security and control.
Digital migration: court delay upholds information rights of poor South Africans
The decision further delays migration to digital broadcasting and places strain on the urgently needed bandwidth for mobile data.
The 2022 ICT Skills Survey goes live
The impact of hybrid work models on IT skills in South Africa will be among the issues coming under the spotlight this year.
African sci-tech could drive future black hole discoveries
Astronomers have revealed the first image of the black hole at the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way.
Turkish ambassador launches digital fabrication laboratory at Wits
Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and Wits University launch FabLab.
Towards a secure digital legacy – Wits Library now a member of the Digital Preservation Coalition
Wits has joined the Digital Preservation Coalition, a charitable foundation that supports digital preservation with a view to a secure digital legacy.
Future Ecosystems for Africa programme launched at Wits
Programme aims to identify African ecosystem vulnerabilities while leveraging African-informed transformative change opportunities.
Race and class fears amplified on Twitter when Covid-19 hit
Study of tweets in Kenya and South Africa shows online rage towards white communities and privileged classes can be read as fatigue with the postcolonial state.
R50 million donation to advance innovation in South Africa
Alumnus Dr David Fine's generous donation will be used to establish the Angela and David Fine Chair in Innovation.
‘Digital activism is the future’ – Commonwealth scholar
Albert Sharra, recipient of the Commonwealth Split-site scholarship, focuses on digital political activism and people power.
Mobilising big data and AI to fight GBVF
Gender-based violence and femicide is a pandemic more insidious and endemic than a virus – how technology can help combat and prevent it.
Monstrous males/femme fatales
Gender portrayals in animated films have come a long way, which is important, as animation can be a tool for positive social change.
Creating job opportunities for SA’s youth
The Wits Entrepreneurship Clinic gets going with programme to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
Wits physicist awarded 2022 Sang Soo Lee Award
Professor Andrew Forbes recognised for his outstanding leadership in founding and growing an optics and photonics community in Africa.
Tracking symptoms of respiratory diseases online can give a picture of community health
This is not an alternative to traditional disease surveillance, but a complementary tool.
Tackling how data from your Health App is used
New research project will explore ways to protect the personal health data of African app users.
Hat-trick of research accomplishments for Wits digital technologist
A researcher and lecturer in the Wits School of Education has begun 2022 with three high-profile achievements.
Covid-19: New tracker for shopping malls
Wits team develops social distancing and shopper behaviour tracker for malls.
Wits in multi-country high-tech mineral exploration partnership
Team of experts help search for metals and minerals needed to meet the tech demands of an evolving world.
The Zuck stops here
It’s time to take on the tech giants to sustain media and journalism - you can use competition laws against the likes of Facebook.
2021: Best science or technology-related books
With the year drawing to a close, many people will be wondering what books they may have missed out on in 2021.
Quantum entanglement: Why physicists want to harness it
“Quantum entanglement” is one of several plot devices that crops up in modern sci-fi movies.
South Africa needs more spectrum now
Wits, UJ, government and the telecoms sector join forces to close the digital divide.
Should we trust machines?
Inclusivity and diversity need to be at the level of identifying values and defining frameworks of what counts as ethical AI in the first place.
Lighting up the digital divide with ‘Fibre, Before the Fibre’
Wits leads efforts to develop low-cost, long-range free-space optics that can connect informal settlement communities to high-speed internet.
Wits, British Council to boost innovation in Africa
The new Wits Entrepreneurship Clinic will form part of the Innovation for African Universities Project that will drive economic development.
Can gaming transform the way we learn?
Professor Barry Dwolatzky explains what gamification in learning is and how it is on a path to change the future of higher education.
SA ICT sector navigates pandemic unscathed but skills gaps remain
The 2021 ICT Skills Survey results were released on 28 September 2021.
Skills survey finds SA ICT not moving to gig economy - yet
Survey shows a shift to the gig economy has not occurred in SA, but it's plausible that this might change in future.
Remote work a win for South Africa's ICT professionals
JSCE-IITPSA ICT Skills Survey results will be released on 28 September 2021.
Let’s DIY future democracies for good
#DIYAfrica 2021 creates space for Africans to “Do It Yourself” and realise the potential of new and emerging technologies to bring about change.
Wits to coordinate South Africa’s national quantum initiative
The South African Quantum Technology Initiative (SA QuTI) aims to drive local quantum technology research and innovation.
Wits leads ambitious partnership to drive AI in Africa
The AI Africa Consortium partners with Cirrus AI to bring large-scale AI infrastructure capacity and expertise to the African research community and industry.
Johannesburg turned into live laboratory to measure 'killer' lightning
DEHN AFRICA donates R500 000 to the Johannesburg Lightning Research Laboratory at Wits University to support pioneering research in lightning protections.
Are you quantum or not? Wits PhD student cracks the high-dimensional quantum code
A new and fast tool for quantum computing and communication.
Curios.ty 12 (#Solutions): Advancing society for good
Our cutting-edge research offers #Solutions to some of the most challenging problems facing society today.
Wits.For Good. solutions inspire hope
Editorial: From solutions to the structural, political, and socioeconomic challenges in South Africa, to those ‘moonshot moments’ that advance society for good.
Getting serious about gaming
Games from the Game Design programme at the Wits School of Digital Arts tell important stories, and allow for solutions to many real-world problems.
Zoom in. Team up. The new era of therapy
Can online platforms help therapists and tutors transform teaching and care beyond the pandemic?
Photographing ghosts in space
Photographing a black hole in space, 55 million light years from Earth, seems an impossible task but scientists went to unprecedented lengths to achieve this.
Engineering empathy
In search of ways to help his father recover from injuries suffered in a motorbike accident, Nabeel Vandayar enrolled at Wits to study medicine.
Social media regulation: Can we trust the tech giants?
Some scholars consider these ‘liberating technologies’ because they empower citizens to speak back to power and hold leaders accountable.
'Grand Geek' to lead Wits’ Innovation Strategy
Professor Barry Dwolatzky has been contracted as Director of Innovation Strategy.
Re-inventing the Doppler effect
Wits and HUST researchers report a new form of the Doppler effect.
Wits graduates awarded start-up capital for pharmacy innovation
Wits Pharmacy graduates were awarded seed funding for their automated, antimicrobial-surface coated pill-dispensing innovation, Ra-Pill.
Fak’ugesi Festival 2021 #BUILDCOZYOUHAVETO
This year’s Fak’ugesi Festival will be a hybrid event and takes place from 14 to 24 October 2021.
Dream team heads for world robotics soccer cup
For the first time, a Wits University team will compete in the international RoboCup tournament.
Photonics unlocks second quantum revolution
Wits University’s future hub of Quantum Technology is switched on.
The Wits Quantum Initiative launches at Wits
WitsQ will provide first a forum for quantum scientists in all fields across the continent to connect.
Pandemic impact on ICT skills in the spotlight in 2021 ICT Skills Survey
The JCSE-IITPSA Skills Survey assesses skills demand and supply from both a corporate and practitioner perspective.
WhatsApp + maths tutors = a solution for poor learners
An innovative maths WhatsApp hotline threw high school teens an educational lifeline during 2020.
Wits students develop unique cannabis cultivation tech
Two master’s students are developing new technologies aimed at disrupting the booming cannabis, or so called ‘green gold’, industry.
Wits announces team to advance AI research in Africa
The team, led by Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, will lead Africa’s effort to advance artificial intelligence research and its application across the continent.
Removing the technology fear factor from digital transformation
Digital transformation: Technology shouldn’t be a source of fear, but rather an ally and key business tool.
Tshimologong announces the 5th edition of Digital Lab Africa
Digital content creators called to participate in fully online DLA#5.
Huge gap between SA's 4IR strategy and what commission recommends
Huge gap between SA's 4IR strategy and what commission recommends
Mining's year ahead will demand deep innovation
Mining's immediate future is to be impacted not just by economic cycles or established trends, but by structural issues demanding urgent and deep innovation.
Building Africa's AI initiative
Considerations behind the largest and most complex undertaking of its kind in Africa’s history.
AI helps to identify new Covid-19 hotspots in Gauteng
Gauteng Government, IBM Research and Wits University are fighting the pandemic with artificial intelligence.
Wits develops AI project with York University to tackle COVID-19 in Africa
The International Development and Research Centre (IDRC) grants $1.25 Million to the project.
The postgraduate blueprint for a future that works
Register for postgraduate study at Wits University and be part of the future of exciting possibilities.
Wits-French partnerships strengthened
Commitments focus on innovation and the creative engagement with new technologies.
Africa’s first 5G Innovation Lab
Wits, Huawei and rain jointly launch Africa's first 5G laboratory at the Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.
African gaming takes centre stage at Fak’ugesi Festival
Highly anticipated and specially curated Fak’ugesi Arcade programme unveiled.
Fak’ugesi Festival 2020 unveils exciting Heritage & Technology Programme
The 2020 Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival will run for one month from 20 October to 20 November 2020.
Diamonds are a quantum scientist’s best friend
The discovery of triplet spin superconductivity in diamonds has the potential to revolutionise the high-tech industry.
Fak’ugesi Festival 2020: #POWERTOTHEPIXEL
A virtual feast of Africa’s best creative digital workshops, talks, pitches and digital art exhibitions.
We can prevent procurement fraud by deploying 4IR technologies
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the fore just how endemic corruption has become.
Work from home reserved for the privileged few in SA
Digital divides ensure that only 11% of households have access to the internet.
A new app helps COVID-19 frontline workers with mental health
Pasha 80: Fighting the coronavirus can put severe strain on a person’s mental health.
Wits, GCRO, IBM and Gauteng Province opens Covid-19 dashboard to public
The Gauteng Province has been using data and cloud technologies to monitor and respond to Covid-19, and now they are sharing access with the public.
Engineering student’s book wins award
Wits student, Musawenkosi Nyati has published an award-winning book, Mobile App Development.
Wits students dominate global supercomputing competition
Despite Covid-19, Wits students won second place with their applications to aide analysis of Covid-19 data in the competition held online for the first time.
Fast tracking the critical task of building South Africa’s digital economy
South Africa lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to embracing the digital economy.
Sharing a secret … the quantum way
Wits Researchers demonstrate a new quantum approach for sharing a secret amongst many parties, setting a new record for the highest dimensions and parties.
Kenya’s internet balloons could help to bridge the digital divide
Kenya's new internet balloons could help to get more Kenyans online and drive new industry.
Technology brings change but labour can shape its direction
Increased capital investment and productivity need not result in job losses. Industrial policy can link investment incentives to job preservation and creation.
Top nuclear physicist to lead Wits
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi appointed as the Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal from 1 January 2021
The world is flat: Covid-19 becomes the driving force for 4IR
The most profound change is the accelerated of way in which digital transformation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution have moved at warp speed.
Wits students’ research on cover of leading world optics journal
Wits Master’s students create best practice guide for efficient and accurate use of DMDs in structured light laboratories.
JCSE Listening Circle Series
Join South Africa’s Grand Geek’ and leading digital experts as they explore Africa’s Digital Future.
Wits COVID-19 dashboard gets grant award from the IEEE
New features added as inter disciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration data on the pandemic grows.
COVID-19 Update 24: Data access: All four major mobile service providers on board
Students will get 30GB of data if registered on MTN, Vodacom, Cell C or Telkom.
COVID-19 Update 24: How to access your data
COVID-19 Update 23: Wits opens online on Monday, 20 April 2020
Wits will commence with emergency remote online teaching and learning from Monday, 20 April 2020.
Process to apply for mobile computing devices
This communique outlines the process through which students who require assistance with a loan device can apply.
Wits switches to remote online teaching and learning from 20 April 2020
Wits institutes an emergency remote teaching and learning programme as one measure to help minimise the time lost in the academic project.
Wits COVID-19 dashboard goes continental
New features added as inter disciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration data on the pandemic grows.
Wits researchers launch most comprehensive COVID-19 dashboard in South Africa
The dashboard is aimed at informing government, scientists, the media and general public with quick, easy-to-understand information on the current situation.
Wits team and industry closer to final LVPS prototype
Team visits Jemstech to view progress on first SA-made prototype for Tile Calorimeter of the ATLAS Detector at CERN.
Fibre communications on steroids: Wits student breaks the code
A team from Wits (South Africa) and HUST (China) show that multi-dimensional quantum communications with twisted light is possible down legacy fibre networks.
The digital economy is becoming ordinary. Best we understand it
The digital economy will, soon, become the ordinary economy as the uptake - and application - of digital technologies in every sector in the world grows.
Wits leads Quantum Computing National Working Group
“Investment in quantum technologies in South Africa is crucial if we want to leverage the next level of discovery research,” says Professor Zeblon Vilakazi.
Engineering pivotal moves
Top marks are due for a bionic hand engineered by Wits University postgraduates, who have made mobility more accessible to the 1 million amputees in SA.
Wits innovation set to light up lives
PeCo Power, a new spin-off company, is a home-grown electrical off-grid solution that will radically change lives and impact local communities.
Information Security is a leading skills priority
The 10th ICT Skills Survey shows that the Fourth Industrial Revolution is still waiting in the wings.
Enabling the future by decoding the past
The eighth issue of Wits University’s research magazine, Curios.ty is themed: #Code, and is available download or read online.
Decoding Wits’ innovations the past 100 years
EDITORIAL: It is only through understanding yesterday that we can shape today and create tomorrow.
Surfing the data tsunami tomorrow
Humankind is facing an ever-growing data tsunami that could swamp us as a species – or provide us with unheard of opportunities.
Fair trade: Your soul for data?
In an increasingly data-driven world, are we just walking data sources for the benefit of giant multinational corporations?
Plugging digital leaks
Data are gathering in pools and lakes. As we dip our toes into these murky waters, we see a sign that says, ‘Here be dragons…’
Do kids need to code?
Preparing for a digital revolution is as much about getting the basics right as it is looking to the future.
How knitting won the war?
Craftivists have been savvy cryptographers for aeons longer than any computing geek.
Editing disease in South Africa
Gene therapy – there is a long road ahead to mainstream techniques and ensure that the technology is cost-effective.
Diagnosing the dead and predicting mortality
A new generation of apps could soon help health professions to decode the causes of death, and predict the likelihood of dying.
Recreating Earth through code
The first Earth System Model developed and based in Africa are creating one of the most reliable and most detailed modulations of climate change.
Reptile laundering
PhD candidate Shivan Parusnath plans to use social media and machine learning to help stop illegal reptile trade on global scale.
Lingua franca of mathematics
Speaking to visitors from outer space would one day require a common language and one not found in a dictionary.
Data and dominance
COLUMN: Data domination by Big Tech, both nationally and internationally, has ominous implications for economies – and privacy.
When computers came to Wits
The University bought its first computer from IBM 59 years ago. Today, Wits and IBM are partners in quantum computing.
Wits to host human capacity development workshop in big data and artificial intelligence
The two-day workshop will be part of the National Conference of the Centre of High Performance Computing.
South Africa is one step closer to processed titanium alloys
Low-cost titanium alloys in South Africa could be used in non-aerospace sectors, such as car parts, medical devices, implants, jewellery and kitchen appliances.
Structured light promises path to faster, more secure communications
Quantum mechanics is embracing patterns of light to create an alphabet that can be leveraged to build a light-based quantum network.
WitsQ to hold first Summer School
The WitsQ Quantum Computing Summer School takes place from 2 - 10 December at the Science Stadium.
Enabling the future by decoding the past
The eighth issue of Wits University’s research magazine, Curios.ty is themed: #Code, and is available download or read online.
Wits researcher wins international award for infection control innovation
Wits academic Michael Lucas took top honours at the International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control in Switzerland, 10-13 September 2019.
The future is innovation
"Wits and Tshimologong are the pioneers driving Gauteng to a modern economy in the new age of the digital revolution," said Premier David Makhuru.
Can robots decide on right and wrong?
The '4IR: Philosophical, Ethical, Legal Dimensions' conference explored the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
School of Chemistry launches new AI research initiative for Africa
Africans should be the contributors, shapers and owners of the coming advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning, says Professor Zeblon Vilakazi.
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Digital makers invited to ‘Own Your Force’ as Fak’ugesi
Cross-sector digital creative technology at 2019 Fak’ugesi Festival – Africa’s best creative digital workshops, talks, pitches and digital art exhibitions
Fak'ugesi and Smart City Office - a natural fit
The 2019 Fak’ugesi Festival has partnered with the City of Johannesburg’s Smart Cities Office to bring an exciting African-centric programme line-up.
Technology and creativity by Africans for Africa
Cultural Economies Conference at 2019 Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival.
Wits superheroes at Sasol TechnoX 2019
What do you need to become a superhero? Certainly not superpowers, we can all be superheroes according to a team of Witsies.
New research initiative will be announced at this year's AI Expo Africa
Major machine learning research initiative will serve as a model for innovation and growth in Africa.
An eye on assistive tech at home
Eye-gaze devices as assistive tech have the potential to empower people with disabilities by improving their independence at home.
, Michael Westgate (PhD Candidate), Mpofana Sihoyiya (MSc candidate), Prof.jpg "Kenneth Rapetsoa (MSc Candidate), Michael Westgate (PhD Candidate), Mpofana Sihoyiya (MSc candidate), Prof. Musa Manzi (Director, Wits Seismic Research Centre), and Philip Staley (Senior project geologist, Sibanye-Stillwater)")
Sibanye-Stillwater donates R50m worth of seismic data to Wits
Sibanye-Stillwater has donated their 2D/3D reflection seismic data worth R50m to the Wits Seismic Research Centre of the School of Geosciences.
You and Big Brother @Home online
Technology and surveillance cause a sense of moral panic, but such scrutiny has the potential to enhance society.
Neglected challenge of the 4IR debate
The roles and practices of companies like Google and Facebook must be investigated.
Huawei awards bursaries to Wits postgraduate students
Huawei South Africa has donated almost 2 million in scholarships to ICT and Engineering postgraduate students at Wits.
Building real world solutions in Minecraft
Students in the School of Therapeutic Sciences and the School of Education at Wits competed to build a world in online game, Minecraft.
Legitimation Code Theory Conference a success
The third international LCT (Legitimation Code Theory) conference hosted at Wits was huge success with 160 delegates in attendance and 98 papers presented.
Technology can make collecting and analysing evidence for policy easier
There is more and more research being produced around the world every day. In total, about 3 million articles are published every year.
Embrace 4IR to address poverty, inequality and unemployment - Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at South Africa’s first #4IRSA Digital Economy Summit.
South Africa takes a quantum leap and joins the race
Quantum technologies are exploding and no longer the purview of laboratory experiments only.
SA students win world supercomputing competition once again
Wits students are part of South African team to take first prize at the International Supercomputing Conference.
Wits enters the quantum computing universe with IBM Q
IBM expands its quantum computing program with Wits as its first partner in Africa on the IBM Q Network.
Becoming quantum ready in Africa
With rapid progress over the last couple of decades we are entering a new era of computing and Africa needs to act now.
Equipping Wits’ ICT students for future jobs
Leading Chinese telecommunications company injects more than R1 million towards student funding at Wits.
First 5G training in SA for ICT postgrads at Wits
Huawei South Africa has launched free 5G training for ICT postgraduates at Wits University.
Structuring SA’s digital government: the road not traveled?
The potential capabilities afforded by digital technologies should not be ignored in the current stage of design of the future government administration.
The "big data mess" and how to clean it up
A rethink of operational processes as a complex system, and the application of machine learning as an adaptive analytical framework.
Software licence donation advances Geosciences
Petroleum Experts Ltd has donated an academic software licence worth R25m to the School of Geosciences.
DigiMine strikes gold
Sibanye-Stillwater commits additional R30 million to further mining 4.0 research and development.
4IRSA announces 1st Digital Economic Summit for SA
"We are the pioneers who can reimagine how digital innovation can transform our world.”
The year ahead: From legal rights for robots to a Cyber 9/11
Artificial Intelligence will be maturing over the next 18 months with Africa becoming ground zero for 4IR disruption.
Make apprenticeships sexy again
South Africa 4IR-readiness and the case for tech-savvy artisans.
Africa cannot afford to take the back seat in one of the most important pursuits of modern science
The continent needs its own experts to harness Artificial Intelligence towards our local challenges and priorities in Africa.
Economic growth impaired by poor ICT data
Academics and business must partner to help government understand what skills pupils and workers require for 4IR.
Wits students create genetics app
Wits science students have created an app to teach people the basics about genetics.
The brain as a network device
Research by Wits biomedical engineers that incorporates the human brain as part of a computer network is believed to be a world-first.
#4IRSA Digital Economy Summit 2019 dates announced
The Fourth Industrial Revolution Partnership for South Africa (#4IRSA) hosts a Digital Economy Summit in Johannesburg in June 2019.
Wits hosts unique e-Science teaching platform
Wits is the hub of a unique cross-disciplinary postgraduate e-Science training platform.
Wits’ supercomputing students win big
Our teams excel in Centre for High Performance Computing Student Cluster Competition.
Why screen time needs to be limited
High levels of screen time, among babies, children and adolescents, are associated with potential harm.
New research shows lasers can create fractals
Wits researchers prove the long-held theory by making the first direct observation of fractal light from lasers.
We are facing our biggest leadership challenge yet
It is not the robots that will take our jobs but a crisis of imagination and leadership, says futurist Valter Adão.
South African-Scottish research team demonstrate fractal light from lasers
Team confirms a 20-year-old prediction that “nature’s geometry” could be recreated by the use of laser technology.
Shedding a new light on optical trapping and tweezing
Wits physicists demonstrate a new device for manipulating and moving tiny objects with light.
10 years of SA-CERN
Collaboration on Fundamental Physics celebrates a decade, of among others, Wits’ involvement in accelerated technology development.
#4IRSA – Creating the future we want
First round table set the stage for South Africa to formulate a collective response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Siemens launches Digital Mining Incubator
Digital technologies to boost skills and transform South Africa’s mining processes.
Making SA’s techentrepreneurs future ready
Why we should stop chasing the Silicon Valley dream and rethink what Africa needs, especially in the incubator space.
Africa is changing, radically, and digitisation is playing a pivotal role
The outcomes from the 2018 Fak’ugesi Festival and collaboration with the Wits Art Museum will be shown on Digital Imaginaries: Africas in Production in Germany.
WitsX launches new online course: Digital Transformation and the IT team
Wits University’s has released a new online course aimed specifically at IT and business professionals.
How the humanities can equip students for the 4IR
An understanding of the interaction of humans with technology and technology with humans are key to grasp the impact of the fourth industrial revolution.
The hidden technology
Automatic control is a technology that modern society cannot live without.
New MOOCs for agents of change
Wits University has added two new courses to its free, online WitsX/edX learning platform.
Wits Team eFundanathi and eZone in Learning Idols
A lecturer in the Wits School of Therapeutic Sciences was in the top three vying in Learning Idols at the Learning Innovation Africa Conference 2018.
Creating collective memory
Creating a collective memory in a country with a fragmented past and persistent inequality needs money, skills and political will to preserve its history.
Bootcamp for startups
IBM SA and Wits’ Tshimologong Precinct launch six week acceleration bootcamp for startups.
#SA4IR to explore how the 4th Industrial Revolution could shape SA
Wits, UJ, Fort Hare and Telkom to develop a national response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution that could shape the futures of South Africa.
Engineering solutions for tomorrow
Final year engineering showcased their design-and-build projects which provided solutions to everyday life challenges.
Unpack the source code of your African Identity
Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival announces its 2018 line-up.
Enabling youth to power the digital economy
Hundreds descended upon Wits to hear the legendary Jack Ma, Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group, address entrepreneurs, students and policy makers.
It's time to talk about tech
Technological advances are reshaping our lives, and our policies should be designed to enhance its creative and empowering potential.
Witsies win big in travel innovation competition
A cash prize of $10,000 has been awarded to Wits students for their winning travel idea.
Bridging the digital divide with photonics
Wits physicists and engineers team up to tackle Africa’s digital divide with home grown technologies
Young digital entrepreneurs showcase cool innovations
Entrepreneurs at the Wits Digital Tshimologong Precinct show Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba how creative they are.
Tech bytes
From slow sand filters and to towers that measure energy and gases.
Building the world’s most powerful microscope using particle accelerators
Bruce Mellado, National Contact Physicist of South Africa at the ATLAS experiment at CERN, says there are future plans for a bigger, better LHC.
Tech giant recognises African machine learning research
Wits robotics researcher awarded Africa’s only grant in the 2017 round of the Google Faculty Research Awards.
_600x300px-600x300-1-1.jpg "Professor Bavesh Kana is Head of the Centre of Excellence in Biomedical TB Research at Wits")
We’ve come up with a TB test that’s cheaper, quicker and more accurate
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that kills more people due to a bacterial infection than any other disease in the world.
DigiMine, the future of mining research
Celebrating the research of the new Sibanye-Stillwater Digital Mining Laboratory (DigiMine) at Wits University.
How we recreated a lost African city with laser technology
LiDAR, was used to “redraw” the remains of the city, along the lower western slopes of the Suikerbosrand hills near Johannesburg.
First executive programme in Digital Business
Wits Business School (WBS) is excited to have launched its first executive education programme in Digital Business, the first of its kind in South Africa.
Accelerating high-tech training
Wits students contribute to the upgrade of the high-tech software and hardware at the CERN ATLAS detector.
Why it would be in everybody’s interests to regulate cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies originated as an alternative payment mechanism to traditional currencies.
SA will not escape this revolution
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi’s editorial in the latest issue of Curiosity, Wits’ new research magazine:
Wits’ optics research among best in 2017
Research into optics and photonics by Wits physicists has been highlighted as some of the most influential in 2017.
Designer proteins, the new generation of HIV vaccines being put to the test
South Africa has made tremendous advances in providing lifesaving antiretroviral therapy for HIV infected people.
Energetic engineering at EIE Open Day 2017
The ‘Brainternet’, robotic arm, mosquito repeller, adaptive digital hearing aid, leaf recognition software – our future engineers show their stuff.
Wits appoints new CEO for Tshimologong
Lesley Williams will head up the tech precinct and help it to achieve its full potential.
Wits offers new post graduate courses in e-Science
Programme will create opportunities for students in a variety of fields to gain an interdisciplinary perspective on the emerging fields of Data Science.
The mud beneath the digital magic
The bones of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, like every industrial revolution in the past, come from the dirt under our feet.
Tech as eyes and ears
Wits alumnus, Elash Mistry was elated when he became the first blind person in Africa to be admitted as a fellow of the Actuarial Society of SA in 2017.
Human rights in a digital world
Digital access itself does not untangle past inequalities. In many cases, it may even increase inequality.
Death of the chalkboard and the demise of the sage on the stage
The launch of a high-tech eZone, eFundanathi – “Learn with Us”, is set to revolutionise teaching and learning at Wits.
The future of work
Tech advances are already impacting skilled white-collar and unskilled workers whereas the digital revolution affected mainly semi-skilled, blue-collar workers.
Q&A about Watson, the iHuman supercomputer
In 2011, a faceless, emotionless voice named Watson famously defeated two of the greatest champions of Jeopardy!, an American TV gameshow.
Researchers demonstrate quantum teleportation of patterns of light
Technique paves the way for high-bit-rate secure long distance quantum communication.
Virtual reality breathes new life into African fossils, art and artefacts
More digital avenues are being added to South Africa’s museums – and now the country has its first full VR exhibit.
Light to break bandwidth ceiling
The rise of big data and advances in information technology has serious implications for our ability to deliver sufficient bandwidth to meet the growing demand.
(Hu)man vs. Machine
In a world controlled and dominated by robots, is there still space for humans?
Improving the accuracy of TB testing
Wits scientists have developed technology that ensures the efficacy of equipment that tests for tuberculosis (TB).
Can you read my mind?
In research thought to be a world first, biomedical engineers at Wits are connecting a human brain to the internet in real time.
Using high tech to tell the story of ancient man
Origin Centre's new Virtual Reality experience uses state of the art communications technology to tell the story of what makes us human.
Talking tech and African languages
Is tech killing indigenous African languages? Prof. Leketi Makalela, head of Languages, Literacies and Literatures in the Wits School of Education talks back.
Interpreting brainwaves to give amputees a hand
Biomedical engineers at Wits are researching how brainwaves can be used to control a robotic prosthetic hand.
Africa app'tly rising
There are over 300 tech hubs in Africa and maybe 52 or more in South Africa, one of which is the Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein.
Game changer: Hanli Geyser
Hanli Geyser, head of Game Design in Digital Arts in the School of Arts at Wits, doesn’t like being called a 'gamer'.
Wits to host first Deep Learning Indaba in Africa
The Indaba will bring leaders in machine learning and artificial intelligence to Wits University to teach and mentor students, researchers and entrepreneurs.
ICT industry leader joins Wits
Professor Brian Armstrong appointed to head up WBS/Telkom Chair in Digital Business.
Tshimologong's first accelerator programme now open for applications
The Journalism and Media Accelerator (JAMLAB) will be home to innovators who want to develop new forms of journalism.
In the age of the internet, censorship has acquired a new face
Abandon the naive thought that, with the internet and free flow of information, governments are retreating from repression of the media.
SA students benefit from major digital electronics update at CERN
International scientists share knowledge with SA students and industry at a workshop, dedicated to the CERN electronics upgrade.
New ultra-clean isotope geoscience laboratory opens up a new world of research
New laboratory will work closely with the University of Johannesburg to offer southern African scientists a local solution for isotope analysis.
WiSER professor wins inaugural Humanities Book Award
The Academy of Science of South Africa has identified Prof. Keith Breckenridge as the winner of its Humanities Book Award for his book on the Biometric State.
Technology confirms theory about Earth’s oldest venomous species
Baron Franz Nopcsa, a particularly colourful figure in the history of palaeontology, was right.
Calling all aspiring digital entrepreneurs
Are you up for Wits’ first Digital Innovation Challenge? Do you have the smarts and skills in location technology?
Analysing data to inform public health
Biostatistics is the analysis and interpretation of data generated in the biological and health sciences to inform clinical or health policy and practice.
Studying the making of smart cities
Professor Ronald Wall is an economic geographer and urban planner and the Johannesburg City Chair in Economic Development at Wits.
Big award for ‘ace of the IT industry’
Professor Barry Dwolatzky honoured by his peers for his outstanding contributions to ICT sector.
Fellow of light
Andrew Forbes elected as Fellow Member of a leading international optics and photonics association.
,-Thapelo-Sekwena-(1)-and-Absalom-Mpanze-(3)_600x300px.jpg "Professor Barry Dwolatzky with the three winners Methembe Dlamini (2), Thapelo Sekwena (1) and Absalom Mpanze (3)")
Location, location, location
Winners of GeoJozi Challenge will help solve Jozi’s street address problems and improve service delivery.
Wits researchers find techniques to improve carbon superlattices for quantum electronic devices
In a paradigm shift from conventional electronic devices, exploiting the quantum properties of superlattices holds the promise of developing new technologies.
3D technology brings a lost mammalian ancestor back to life
At the very beginning of the 1960s, a South African palaeontologist embarked on a series of ambitious works.
Tshimologong - Jozi's new digital playground
Wits is transforming Braamfontein into a young, vibrant precinct for its notable tech-savvy and innovative community.
Innovation ecosystem opens door
New #IBMResearchWITS partnership to focus on big data, cloud computing and mobile tech.
Wits and Academic Partnerships agree to educate online
Wits signs a MOU with Academic Partnerships to increase access to education through online learning.
Wits to lead national e-science consortium
DST awards University a project to develop teaching and training platform for postgraduates.
2016 GeoJozi Developer Challenge
Partnering with Wits University, the City of Joburg launches a developer challenge to address issues.
Light packing more data has potential to increase bandwidth by 100 times
African researchers demonstrate a 100x increase in the amount of information that can be 'packed into light'.
Internet freedom: why access is becoming a human right
How "free" is the internet in South Africa and the question of cost.
Let maths solve the problem
The DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences is leading the charge.
Gleeble to the rescue
Now Dr Lesley Chown can test new metals cost-effectively in her lab.
Fibre has its limits too
Wits researchers in optical communications explore ways to drastically increase the optical fibre bandwidth.
Using gene therapy to combat HBV infection
Hepatitis B Virus causes between 600 000 and one million deaths per year, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Optimisation production through process engineering
Researchers say there are still large gaps in our understanding of the associated utility systems in batch chemical processes.
Cooling high-speed computers
The School of Mechanical, Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering is about to make headlines for the development of new technology to cool high-speed computers.
The science of small things
Nosipho Moloto hopes to use nanotechnology to solve our energy crisis.
The power of light
Andrew Forbes is a Distinguished Professor in the School of Physics.