A Journey of Innovation and Impact
A Journey of Innovation and Impact: The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) celebrates a milestone, as the SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management (SGSP-IWRM) produces its first PhD graduate.
NUST proudly celebrated a historic academic milestone on 09 May 2025, at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek, as Dr. Maria Nelago Kanyama became the first PhD graduate under SGSP-IWRM. The programme is hosted at NUST, under the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Partnerships (DRIP), and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), through the Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL), in collaboration with the International Centre for Water Resources and Global Change (ICWRGC).
Academic Journey
Dr. Kanyama’s PhD journey began with a simple email that marked the start of a transformative academic chapter. From early coursework to workshops like Systematic Literature Review training, every step shaped her research direction. Presenting at the WaterNet Symposium became a proud milestone that boosted her academic confidence. With unwavering support from her supervisors Prof. Fungai Bhunu Shava, Prof. Attlee Gamundani (NUST), and Prof. Andreas Hartmann (TU Dresden) she took on roles beyond her doctoral research, including teaching and co-supervising two Master’s students who graduated alongside her. Monthly colloquiums hosted by SGSP-IWRM and the Faculty of Computing and Informatics (FCI) enriched her academic output through peer learning and critique. Her scientific mobility experience at TU Dresden deepened her understanding of water governance and connected her work to global sustainability discussions. Many long weekends spent in her office reflecting, coding, and rewriting were central to both personal growth and scholarly breakthroughs.
Key Milestones
Dr. Kanyama’s groundbreaking research on anomaly detection in Smart Water Metering Networks leveraging artificial intelligence and blockchain earned wide recognition. She was awarded the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talent Award and was named a DHL Young SDG Leader in New York, USA. As a technical mentor with the African Science Entrepreneurship Programme, she supported innovators across 10+ countries, advancing tech-driven solutions for Africa’s development.
Research Highlights
She authored six peer-reviewed journal articles, co-authored two international conference papers, and presented her findings at global forums and annual NUST Research Days. Her research focused on improving water efficiency in data-scarce environments through
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