Dr Major Mabuza, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
Mr. Major Mabuza is a dedicated academic and industry-aligned researcher serving as the Head of Department and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering Technology at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. With a strong foundation in chemical engineering and a passion for educational development, he has built a multifaceted career encompassing academia, research, and leadership. Mr. Mabuza is an active participant in shaping future-ready engineering graduates, holding significant roles in curriculum development, student mentoring, and industry advisory collaborations. His leadership is further demonstrated through committee participation and departmental management, with a track record in institutional compliance and academic quality assurance. Recognized for his scholarly and professional excellence, he has received several prestigious awards and holds professional registration with ECSA as a Professional Engineering Technologist. His research contributions in carbon capture and advanced materials are internationally acknowledged, underpinned by impactful publications and research grants.
Publication Profile
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Education
Mr. Mabuza’s academic journey reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in engineering education. He completed his Matric in the Science Stream at Ekangala Comprehensive High School in 2005. He earned a BTech in Chemical Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), graduating Cum Laude in 2010, followed by an MTech in Chemical Engineering, supported by the NRF Innovation Scholarship. As a master’s student, he was recognized with best presenter awards and prestigious grants, including the TUT Scarce Skills Scholarship. He is currently pursuing a DEng in Chemical Engineering, funded by the NRF Thuthuka Programme and the Future Professors Programme. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (expected November 2024) from the University of Johannesburg and completed the Emerging Leaders Programme in 2023. His educational portfolio is not only rich in qualifications but also in development programs that prepare him for strategic academic leadership and research excellence.
Experience
Mr. Mabuza brings extensive academic and industry experience to his current role. He began his teaching career in 2013 as a part-time lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology before becoming a permanent lecturer at Vaal University of Technology (VUT) in 2017. He was later promoted to Senior Lecturer, and in 2022, he joined the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where he now serves as Head of Department. In leadership, he has held acting roles as HoD, chaired multiple committees, and contributed to academic quality assurance. His industry experience includes technician and in-service training roles at MINTEK in pyrometallurgy and small-scale mining divisions. Across his roles, Mr. Mabuza has blended academic rigor with practical application, playing a pivotal role in aligning university programs with industry needs. His leadership within both faculty and student affairs reflects his commitment to holistic education and institutional advancement.
Awards and Honors
Mr. Mabuza’s academic and professional excellence has earned him multiple awards and recognitions. He is a recipient of the prestigious Mandela Rhodes Scholarship (2012), supporting his master’s studies. Currently, he is part of the Future Professors Programme (2023–2024) under the Department of Higher Education and Training, reflecting his academic leadership potential. During his MTech and BTech studies, he received the NRF Innovation Scholarship and TUT Scarce Skills Scholarships, and won Best Oral Presenter at TUT Faculty Research Days in 2012 and 2013. He graduated Cum Laude for his BTech and received an Academic Excellence Award in 2010. He was also selected to participate in the CO2CRC Summer School at Melbourne University in 2011. These accolades underscore his research capabilities, academic discipline, and dedication to leadership in engineering education, marking him as one of South Africa’s emerging thought leaders in chemical engineering and higher education.
Research Focus
Mr. Mabuza’s research centers on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), materials science, and advanced materials. His work focuses on the synthesis and application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for post-combustion CO₂ capture—an area critical to climate change mitigation and energy sustainability. He has secured multiple research grants, including a R760,000 NRF Thuthuka grant and a Future Professors Programme International Engagement Grant (R362,000), supporting research advancement and international collaboration. Mr. Mabuza integrates experimental thermodynamics and adsorption studies, contributing to the global body of knowledge on gas separation and environmental remediation. His publications demonstrate in-depth analyses of MOF structures, coal characterization for CO₂ sequestration, and corrosion protection monitoring, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches. As a supervisor and committee member, he actively mentors students and contributes to research governance. His scholarly ambition is to produce innovative materials that enable cleaner industrial processes while nurturing Africa’s next generation of chemical engineers.
Publication Top Notes
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📘 Reflection on the Structural Development of Engineering Programmes in South African Higher Education Institutions: Pre- and Post-1994 – Springer, 2024
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📄 Adsorption Equilibria and Systematic Thermodynamics Analysis of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration on South African Coals Using Nonlinear Three-Parameter Models: Sips, Tóth, and Dubinin–Astakhov – Energies, 2025
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📄 In-depth Analysis of Coal Chemical Structural Properties Response to Flue Gas Saturation: Perspective on Long-Term CO2 Sequestration – IJOGCT, 2024
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📄 Application of Voltammetry as a Technique to Monitor Cathodic Protection Performance of Steel in Simulated Soil Solution – Electrochemistry Communications, 2024
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📄 The Physicochemical Properties of Metal–Organic Frameworks Suitable for CO2 Capture: A Comparative Study of Magnesium- and Zinc-Based Materials – Proceedings, 2024
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📄 Municipal Solid Waste Biogas Production Enhancement Using a Hybrid Landfill Strategy – (Incomplete title; please provide full title for inclusion)