Impactful academic’s vision drives TUT Sustainability Olympiad

Connecting students, communities, industry and higher education institutions to solve real-world challenges, TUT’s Sustainability Olympiad is creating opportunities for innovation while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. At the heart of this global initiative is Dr Mmatshuene Anna Segooa, whose work in research, international collaboration and student development makes a lasting impact within and beyond academia.

During Women’s Month, the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) recognised women who make meaningful contributions through knowledge, leadership, innovation and the empowerment of others. Among them is Dr Mmatshuene Anna Segooa, Senior Lecturer in Informatics, whose career reflects a commitment to creating opportunities, building partnerships and using technology to address real-world challenges.

Dr Segooa leads TUT’s Sustainability Olympiad, a global initiative that brings together higher education institutions, communities, students and industry partners to develop innovative solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The programme encourages students to apply their knowledge to societal challenges while strengthening their creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Drawing on experience in both industry and academia, Dr Segooa brings practical insight to her teaching and research. She works to ensure that higher education remains connected to workplace realities, helping students develop knowledge and skills that prepare them for professional success.

Her research focuses on emerging and socially relevant areas of Information Systems, including artificial intelligence (AI), generative AI, digital inclusion, information security, big data analytics and ICT for Development. More recently, she has explored the responsible adoption of emerging technologies within African higher education.

Dr Segooa has also contributed to AI scholarship as co-editor of Artificial Intelligence in Digital Society, a publication that examines opportunities and challenges associated with rapidly evolving technologies.

According to Dr Segooa, academic success extends beyond research output. She initiated and led the development of a Design Science Research Short Learning Programme in Informatics, equipping emerging researchers with practical methodologies for developing solutions that address real needs and contexts.

Her commitment to empowerment is equally evident in her efforts to strengthen university-industry collaboration. By facilitating industry engagement, guest lectures and practical projects, she exposes students to professional environments, workplace challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurship and career development.

Dr Segooa’s influence extends beyond South Africa through internationalisation initiatives and global academic partnerships. She has contributed to strategic collaborations with Universitat Politècnica de València in Spain, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kenya and the University of Geneva in Switzerland. These partnerships create opportunities for mobility, collaborative research, co-supervision and international knowledge exchange.

Since 2021, Dr Segooa has also served as a mentor in the Professional Educator Programme offered by Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences in Finland, supporting TUT educators in professional and vocational education.

Her contributions have earned significant recognition. In 2024, she received the Faculty of ICT Lecturer of the Year Award and Emerging Researcher of the Year Award. She also earned runner-up recognition in the Faculty of ICT Woman Researcher of the Year category.

The Faculty of ICT recognises Dr Segooa not only for her achievements but also for the impact of those achievements. Her journey demonstrates that leadership is found in teaching, mentoring, building partnerships, opening doors for others and transforming knowledge into opportunities that benefit students, colleagues and society.