The number of rated researchers, research output, as well as the quality and impact of research at tertiary institutions in South Africa all contribute significantly to the rating of institutions on the National Research Foundation (NRF) system, as well as the image and reputation of institutions.
Prof Shyama Pada Chowdhury, a C rated researcher and Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering. Prof Shyama Pada Chowdhury, a C rated researcher at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is without a doubt one of the most respected and extraordinary researchers in the field of Electrical Engineering.
Prof Chowdhury, from the Department of Electrical Engineering has received significant recognition for his work over the past three decades. He has edited two international conference proceedings. He has co-authored a pioneering research book on “Microgrids and Active Distribution Networks” which enjoys a research citation count of more than 570. He was on two years’ research assignment in the UK as senior Academic Visitor at the University of Manchester, UK from 2007-2008 and was an Academic Visitor in Brunel University, UK from 2006-2007.
He is recognised as a resource person in the Area of Distribution Automation and SCADA, Microgrid and Embedded Generation, Power System Operation and Control with SCADA and Smart Microgrids in energy poverty alleviation.
Prof Chowdhury has attended more than ninety national and international conferences, and has published three books, more than 330 peer reviewed Journal and Conference papers nationally and internationally with more than 3123 citations and an h-index of 23 and i10-index of 53.
In addition to his many accolades, Prof Chowdhury has successfully graduated 17 PhD students, 39 Master’s students and supervised 49 senior undergraduates. He is presently supervising a research group having more than 20 research students in his niche area of research. He has procured more than 12 Million Rands for research and innovation and is currently running a battery project of 2.5 Million Rands.
Well known in his field as author and co-author of numerous publications, he enjoys editing and reviewing numerous journals, serving on advisory boards and sharing his knowledge and expertise with other members of professional and academic associations.
He has enjoyed leadership as member of countless committees nationally and internationally, such as, the Steering Committee of UPEC from 2008-2014 and Member of IET MRB Finance Committee in the UK from 2006-2008 to name a few.
He is also involved with the University of Zululand as an Adjunct Professor and an advisor in the development of their new Science and Engineering Faculty.
Prof Chowdhury’s field of expertise and specialisation is Electrical Engineering with special focus on but not restricted to: Grid integration of distributed generation, Power system operation, stability and control, Hybrid renewable energy systems, Microgrids and smartgrids, Wide Area Monitoring Protection and Control (WAMPAC), Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, Energy efficiency and demand side management, Energy poverty alleviation through mini grids, Sustainable Energy storage for renewable energy grids, Mitigation of carbon foot prints through CO2 recycling and Just Grids for supply of affordable low cost energy and water.
For more information on the Tshwane University of Technology, please contact Willa de Ruyter on tel: 012 382 5352 or send an email to
deruyterw@tut.ac.za.