ORCID Page

Google Scholar

Professor and Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering Built Engineering and Information Technology, Walter Sisulu University, East London, South Africa. He is one of the researchers rated by the National Research Foundation (NRF). He is a NRF C2 Rated Researcher. Professor Thwala was recognised by the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) in 2022 for the much-coveted Engineering Research Capacity Development Award for his impressive work in sustainable construction management, digitalisation, smart cities, design error containment, and leadership within the built environment. Professor Didibhuku Thwala was also presented with a Sustainable Education and Development Research Conference (SEDRC) excellence award for Leadership in Sustainable Construction in Africa and Mentor of the Decade at the 11th Sustainable Education and Development Research Conference (SEDRC), Ghana in recognition of Prof. Thwala’s outstanding contributions and achievements that exemplify and support-built environment research in Africa through successfully supervising over 91 PhDs and over 100 Master’s students across Africa, twenty (20) of whom are from Ghana. This demonstrates remarkable commitment to the industry and skill development in Africa. Professor Thwala has varied research interests, including project management, construction management, construction health and safety, engineering design management, economic and social infrastructure delivery, business competitive intelligence, leadership. He enjoys considerable international recognition and collaborates with internationally renowned academics from United Kingdom (UK), USA, Australia, Hong Kong, Zambia, Ghana, Botswana, Nigeria just to mention a few. Professor Thwala had been recognised nationally and internationally through various appointments in areas related to his research. His contribution in all the research projects, involves leadership, management, setting strategic research direction, mentoring of both academic staff members, post-doctoral students and postgraduate students. Prof Thwala has collaborated with experts in the construction industry, both locally and internationally, to create new knowledge and provide practical solutions in the built environment. He is a former Non-Executive Director of the following organisations: Gautrain Management Agency (GMA), Port Regulator of South Africa (PRSA), Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) just to mention a few.

Professor Thwala has more than 500 published and peer-reviewed journals, 16 books had been published (Taylor and Francis and Springer Publishers), 12 book chapters, 3 Edited books and conference proceedings locally and internationally. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Construction Project Management and Innovation. He also serves as an editorial board member to various reputable international journals.

Questions, comments, collaboration opportunities and suggestions can be email to: wdthwala@wsu.ac.za