Harry Moongela | Computer Science | Young Scientist Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Dr. Harry Moongela | Computer Science | Young Scientist Award

Wits University, South Africa

Harry Moongela is a skilled IT professional with a strong background in Information Technology, including teaching, research, and development roles. He currently serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, where he focuses on Artificial Intelligence and Critical Thinking research projects. Fluent in English and with basic knowledge of German, Harry has a rich academic and professional background that spans over a decade in various IT roles, ranging from academic positions to industry-specific consultancy.

Profile

Scopus

Education🎓

Harry holds a PhD in Information Technology from the University of Pretoria (2022), following a Master’s Degree in Information Systems from Rhodes University (2017). His undergraduate studies in Computer Science & Information Technology were completed at the University of Namibia in 2013. Additionally, Harry holds several certifications, including Cisco CCNA and a Certificate in Basic Telkom Network from Huawei University, providing him with a broad technical skill set.

Experienceđź’Ľ

Harry’s professional career began with roles such as a Web Developer and IT Technician. He has since advanced to academic roles, serving as a Lecturer, Course Coordinator, and Researcher at the University of Pretoria. He has also held various IT consultancy and development positions, including at Derivco Pty Ltd and Kanuga Auto Parts SA. Harry has extensive experience in IT teaching, course design, software development, and system administration.

Research Interests🔬

Harry’s research interests lie in the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Critical Thinking, and Information Technology. His work includes publishing academic research in AI applications, computer networks, and the integration of innovative technologies in IT systems. His goal is to continue advancing research in AI to solve real-world problems and improve educational systems in IT.

Awards🏆

Harry has received multiple accolades throughout his academic journey, including being named Best IT Student at the University of Namibia (2010-2013), Best Postgraduate Student at Rhodes University (2017), and being a member of the prestigious Future Africa Futures Literacy Masterclass (2023). These awards reflect his dedication to excellence in both his studies and professional life.

Publicationsđź“š

Harry has contributed to various conference and journal publications in the field of Information Technology. Some of his notable works include research on AI in education, network security, and critical thinking in IT systems.
For detailed reading, please refer to the following articles:

A framework for using social media for organisational learning: An empirical study of South African companies”

  • Authors: Moongela, H., Hattingh, M.
  • Journal: African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development
  • Year: 2024
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue: 6
  • Pages: 761–773
  • Citations: 0

“Healthcare Supply Chain Efficacy as a Mechanism to Contain Pandemic Flare-Ups: A South Africa Case Study”

  • Authors: Maramba, G., Smuts, H., Hattingh, M., Mawela, T., Enakrire, R.
  • Journal: International Journal of Information Systems and Supply Chain Management
  • Year: 2023
  • Volume: 17
  • Issue: 1
  • Article ID: 333713
  • Citations: 3

“Perceptions of social media on students’ academic engagement in tertiary education”

  • Authors: Moongela, H., McNeill, J.
  • Conference: ACM International Conference Proceeding Series
  • Year: 2017
  • Part: F130806
  • Article ID: a23
  • Citations: 2

Conclusion🚀

Harry Moongela’s combination of academic excellence, significant research contributions, leadership in both research and teaching, and dedication to professional development make him an outstanding candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His wide-ranging expertise in information technology and commitment to advancing knowledge through research and teaching solidify his qualifications for this prestigious recognition.

Yashar Deldjoo – Computer Science – Best Researcher Award

Posted on by Academic achievements

Dr. Yashar Deldjoo - Computer Science - Best Researcher Award

Polytechnic University of Bari - Italy 

Professional Profiles

Early Academic Pursuits

Yashar Deldjoo's academic journey reflects a commitment to excellence and a focus on cutting-edge research in the field of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

Master's Degree at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

Yashar began his graduate studies at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, where he earned a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering. His exceptional academic performance, graduating with the highest rank and a straight A+ GPA, set the stage for his future success.

Ph.D. in Computer Science at Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy

Continuing his pursuit of knowledge, Yashar earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science, specializing in Recommender Systems, from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 2018. His distinction in completing his Ph.D. marked the beginning of his impactful contributions to the field.

Professional Endeavors

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy

Currently serving as a Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at the Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy, Yashar has found a platform to not only continue his research but also to impart knowledge to the next generation of computer scientists.

Active Participation in the RecSys Community

Yashar is a prominent figure in the Recommender Systems (RecSys) community, actively participating in major conferences such as SIGIR, RecSys, CIKM, and more. His engagement underscores his commitment to staying at the forefront of research and innovation in his field.

Focus on Trust in Recommender Systems

Yashar's research focus centers on integrating elements of trust within recommender systems. Emphasizing adversarial robustness, privacy, explainability, and fairness, he aims to enhance the reliability and ethical considerations of recommendation algorithms.

Exploration of Generative AI and Large Language Models

Yashar's recent research delves into the realm of "Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs)." His work aims to understand and mitigate the potential risks and challenges posed by these models in the context of Machine Learning (ML) and Recommender Systems (RS).

Accolades and Recognition

Recognized Among the Top 2% of Research Scientists

In 2022, Yashar's contributions to the research community were acknowledged when he was recognized among the top 2% of research scientists by the Stanford University Ioannidis database and Elsevier. This recognition is a testament to the impact of his work.

Editorial Roles and Contributions to Leading Journals

Yashar serves as an Associate Editor at ACM Computing Surveys, showcasing his expertise and commitment to advancing the field. His guest-editorial roles for leading journals, including the Journal of Information Processing and Management and ACM Transaction on Recommender Systems, underscore his influence in shaping academic discourse.

Impact and Influence

Yashar's influence extends beyond his academic roles. Serving as a PC for major conferences, including the benchmark track at the NeuroIPS conference, and as a senior PC for conferences like SIGIR, CIKM, and the Web Conference, he actively contributes to shaping the academic landscape.

Legacy and Future Contributions On Computer Science

Yashar's legacy is characterized by his impactful contributions to literature reviews, collaborations with renowned institutions and companies, and his involvement in organizing ML competitions. As he continues his journey, his future contributions are anticipated to further push the boundaries of knowledge in Recommender Systems and AI ethics. Yashar Deldjoo's early academic pursuits, professional endeavors, accolades, and influence in the Recommender Systems community collectively showcase a researcher and educator dedicated to advancing the field of Computer Science. His legacy and future contributions hold the promise of continued excellence and innovation.

Notable Publications

A unifying and general account of fairness measurement in recommender systems 2021

Fairness in recommender systems: research landscape and future directions 2021

Auditing Consumer- and Producer-Fairness in Graph Collaborative Filtering 2023