Prof. Nokulunga Xolile Mashwama | Engineering | Best Researcher Award
Head of Department | Walter Sisulu University | South Africa
Prof. Nokulunga Xolile Mashwama is a South African Associate Professor and registered Quantity Surveyor (SACPCMP-A426/2014 & SACQSP-IT6878) with a distinguished academic and professional trajectory in construction management, dispute resolution, and sustainable infrastructure delivery. She earned her Ph.D. in Quantity Surveying from the University of Johannesburg in 2021, following a Master’s in Construction Management (2016, Distinction) and a B-Tech in Quantity Surveying (2013) from the same institution, demonstrating a consistent record of academic excellence. Professionally, Dr. Mashwama has engaged in extensive research projects locally and internationally, including JSPS-SA Bilateral and Thuthuka Fund initiatives, contributing significantly to improving service delivery, occupational health and safety, and minimizing construction disputes in Southern Africa. Her research interests encompass construction dispute resolution, public-private partnerships, cost of poor quality, stakeholder management, and sustainable construction practices. She possesses advanced research skills in project evaluation, stakeholder analysis, alternative dispute resolution, occupational health and safety assessment, and infrastructure service delivery analysis. Dr. Mashwama has published over 32 high-quality documents in reputed international journals and conference proceedings, including Springer, IEOM, Procedia Engineering, and Scopus-indexed outlets, presenting her work in global forums across the USA, UK, Europe, and Africa. She has demonstrated leadership through mentorship, community engagement, and active participation in professional bodies such as SACQSP, SACPCMP, IEEE, and Thuthuka-funded initiatives. Her awards and honors include competitive research grants such as the African Research Funding Accelerator and Future Professor Programme, reflecting her scholarly impact and professional recognition. Through her sustained contributions to research, education, and professional practice, Dr. Mashwama is positioned to lead high-impact, internationally recognized projects in construction management, sustainable infrastructure, and stakeholder-driven research, fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in the built environment globally. Her academic influence is supported by 106 citations across 32 documents, with an h-index of 5.
Featured Publications
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Mashwama, N. X., & Madubela, B. (2025). Harnessing technology and research innovations for sustainable educational development in Southern Africa. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 2025, Article 647.
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Mashwama, N. X. (2025). Innovations in pedagogy and technology for engineering education: A systematic review. Interdisciplinary Journal of Education Research, 7(S1), Article 10.
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Mashwama, N. X., & Thwala, D. W. (2025). Educational institutions as catalysts for economic growth in South Africa. E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 2025, Article 643.
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Mashwama, N. X., Dywili, S., Phaladi, G., & Aigbavboa, C. (2023). The learning curve and benefit of artificial intelligence for the built environment. In Human Interaction & Emerging Technologies (IHIET 2023): Artificial Intelligence & Future Applications (pp. 31).
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Mashwama, N. X. (2022). A theoretical assessment of causes for deferred maintenance of public buildings in developing countries: The Kingdom of Eswatini. In 12th International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (pp. 16–19).
