Wits University and Bidvest launch R6 million research chair in AI and smart technologies

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa has partnered with Bidvest Services International to establish a research chair focused on telecommunications, artificial intelligence (AI) and smart technologies, backed by a R6 million investment over three years.

Announced on Oct 15, the Wits Bidvest Chair in Smart Solutions will be housed in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering within the university’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

The initiative aims to strengthen research, develop postgraduate talent and translate academic findings into practical solutions for industry.

Professor Ling Cheng, a full professor in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering, will lead the initiative. His expertise spans telecommunications, AI and renewable energy.

The chair builds on an existing collaboration between Wits and Bidvest, including 18 months of research collaboration and support through Cheng’s engagement with the organisation.

“Strong partnerships between universities and industry are essential for translating research into practical solutions,” Cheng said. He added that the initiative would provide opportunities to develop research talent and explore how AI-assisted technologies could address challenges in industry and society.

Focus on industry-linked research

The initiative is intended to strengthen links between academic research and industry needs by bringing together researchers, postgraduate students and industry partners.

Its research focus includes telecommunications, AI and smart technologies, with potential applications in connected systems, intelligent infrastructure and technology-assisted decision-making.

The university said the chair would support research-led solutions relevant to industry in South Africa and across the African continent.

The partnership is also expected to help align research priorities with practical challenges faced by industry, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange between university researchers and Bidvest.

Postgraduate development a key priority

Postgraduate education and research training form a central part of the initiative. The chair will support postgraduate supervision and research output, while giving students opportunities to participate in collaborative projects addressing real-world problems.

Wits said the three-year programme aims to establish a foundation for continued collaboration, technological innovation and skills development.

The investment reflects a broader role for university-industry partnerships in supporting applied research and preparing researchers to contribute to technology-driven sectors.

However, the university’s announcement does not specify individual student scholarships, the number of postgraduate positions to be created or particular research projects to be funded under the chair.