The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Muthoni Masinde as the new dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (Febit), effective on 1 September 2024.
Masinde is an accomplished academic with over 25 years of experience in research, teaching, and academic leadership, particularly in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. She has been acting dean in the same faculty since 1 January this year. Masinde served as the head of department (HOD) for the department of Information Technology (IT) in Febit at the CUT for ten years.
Masinde holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Cape Town (UCT). Her other academic qualifications include an MBA degree from the University of the Free State (UFS), an MSc from the Free University of Brussels in Belgium, and a BSc from the University of Nairobi.
As a distinguished researcher with a C2 rating from South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF), Masinde has contributed significantly to fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT). Her development of the Indigenous and Scientific Drought Forecasting Techniques Integration (Itiki) system for drought prediction integrates technology with indigenous knowledge, showcasing her commitment to practical solutions.
Masinde’s leadership extends beyond academia. Her experience includes formulating ICT strategies for multinational corporations and implementing significant projects, such as the Usaid-funded electronic notification system for transborder trade inquiry points across the East Africa community. Her work in Women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) initiatives and her role as an advisor at international forums, including the World Bank Food Security Forum and contributions to the European Commission, showcase her commitment to diversity, inclusion and innovation.
