Prof Fulufhelo Nemavhola is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), South Africa. He is a professional engineer, Chartered Engineer and accomplished academic leader with extensive experience in engineering education, research development, innovation,internationalisation and institutional transformation.

Before assuming his current role, he served as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at DUT, where he contributed to strengthening governance, academic quality, accreditation readiness and faculty performance. He previously held senior leadership positions at the University of South Africa, including Executive Dean and Director of the School of Engineering.

Prof Nemavhola holds a BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and a PhD in Cardiovascular Engineering from the University of Cape Town. His scholarly work is located at the intersection of mechanical engineering, biomechanics, biomedical engineering and health innovation. He has published widely, contributed to books and postgraduate supervision, and remains committed to building the next generation of engineering scholars and innovators.

At DUT, he leads a portfolio that includes research, innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, international partnerships, institutional advancement, engagement and digital transformation. His leadership is strongly aligned with advancing engineering education that is globally connected, locally responsive and socially impactful.

He seeks to contribute to GEDC by bringing an African and Global South perspective to the future of engineering leadership, particularly in areas of inclusive innovation, research commercialisation, industry engagement, digital transformation and the development of adaptive graduates.