Engineering Commons^™

Balancing Innovation And Integrity: Ethical Implications Of Ai Use In Higher Education, Petronella Muziti, Ntando S. Sibanda

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming higher education, creating opportunities while raising ethical concerns such as bias, privacy violations, academic misconduct and reduced human-centred teaching. This study examined how institutions can balance AI innovation with academic integrity and equity, focusing on lecturers’ ethical dilemmas and institutional readiness. A triangulation design incorporating quantitative and qualitative methods was used. Twelve semi-structured interviews and two focus group discussions involving eighteen participants were conducted across five universities, while 150 questionnaires were distributed, yielding 128 valid responses. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were applied. Findings showed that lecturers reported student misuse and plagiarism (78%), AI …

Hitl Ai For Digital Transformation In Healthcare, Ntando S. Sibanda, Petronella Muziti, Priscilla Mataure

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Limited labor capacity, disjointed information flows and delays in clinical decision-making are among the ongoing issues that primary health care (PHC) systems in resource-constrained settings must deal with. These issues limit service delivery and impede efforts to undergo digital transformation. This study investigates how improved decision support at the primary care level can facilitate incremental digital transformation through human-in-the-loop (HITL) artificial intelligence (AI). In order to identify system gaps, design a context-sensitive HITL AI prototype and assess its viability, usability and integration within standard PHC workflows, the study employs a design-based implementation research approach that incorporates qualitative interviews, workflow observations …

Ubuntu Signs: A Tool For Real-Time Translation Of South African Sign Language, Simone Beets, Hasita Rama

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) individuals often face communication challenges with people who do not understand sign language. Existing systems lack support for South African Sign Language (SASL) and are limited in accessibility, efficiency and accuracy. This paper introduces Ubuntu Signs, a mobile prototype tool for real-time SASL translation using a camera-based interface and machine learning. The tool uses two models to recognize gestures: a static model for alphabetical and numerical gestures and a dynamic model for continuous gestures representing words and phrases. A preliminary user study evaluated the effectiveness, efficiency, accuracy and satisfaction of Ubuntu Signs. Results indicated high usability …

Robbed With Permission: Toward A Receiver-Consent Architecture For Trust-Preserving Mobile Money Transactions In Africa, Raphael Amponsah

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Mobile money transacted more than USD 2 trillion globally in 2025 across 2.3 billion registered accounts, with Sub-Saharan Africa holding over half of all accounts and two-thirds of transaction value. Between 58 and 72 percent of mobile money fraud on the continent exploits trust rather than technology, yet current security architecture authenticates the sender and merely notifies the receiver, leaving the transaction execution moment structurally unguarded. This paper introduces the Receiver-Consent Transaction Protocol (RCTP), a USSD-native protocol requiring the receiver's active PIN consent on their physical SIM before any credit completes, grounded in Design Science Research with Routine Activity Theory …

Genai Goes To Campus: A Narrative Literature Review Of Benefits, Challenges And Policies, Jayson Warren Peters, Mmasechaba J. Seopa, Justin T. Maistry, Tebogo J. Matome, Christen Du Toit, Maureen C. Tanner

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

This study examines the role of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in the learning and administrative experiences of students and educators in higher education, through a narrative literature review of thirty-one articles. The literature was thematically reviewed and coded to identify themes and factors contributing to challenges, benefits, and policies and guidelines. These themes were explored in depth with their relation to GenAI for learning outcomes, the role of GenAI in student’s learning experiences and the effectiveness of using GenAI tools to support educators’ administrative processes. In light of the challenges and deterrents identified (e.g. implementation - maintenance, privacy and security, …

Contemporary Cybersecurity Challenges In Emerging Technologies: A Systematic Literature Analysis, Faztudo Languisse Prof

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The accelerating convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, blockchain, and quantum computing has fundamentally transformed the global threat landscape, introducing cybersecurity challenges of unprecedented complexity and scale. This systematic literature review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed publications, institutional reports, and regulatory documents published primarily between 2020 and 2025 to provide an integrated analysis of contemporary cybersecurity challenges across five key emerging technology domains. The review identifies critical vulnerabilities inherent to each domain, documents the evolution of threat actors and attack methodologies — including AI-powered ransomware, adversarial machine learning, and harvest-now-decrypt-later quantum attacks — and evaluates …

Cybersecurity Governance Of Industrial Iot In Sub-Saharan Africa: Policy Gaps, Threat Landscape, And Lessons From Comparative African Contexts, Faztudo Languisse Eng.

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The rapid deployment of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems across Sub-Saharan Africa's extractive, energy, logistics, and agro-industrial sectors has introduced a cybersecurity challenge of growing urgency: industrial networks that were designed for operational efficiency are increasingly exposed to cyber threats for which neither the organizations nor the regulatory frameworks are adequately prepared. This article examines the cybersecurity governance of IIoT systems in a developing African economy, using Mozambique as a primary case study and drawing comparative lessons from South Africa, Rwanda, and Kenya. Through an integrative literature review and documentary analysis of national digital, cybersecurity, and industrial policies, the …

A Review Of Routing Attacks In Routing Protocol Over Low-Power And Lossy-Based Iot Networks, Lanka Chris Sejaphala Mr., Vusimuzi Malele Prof, Francis Lugayizi Prof.

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Low-power and Lossy IoT Networks (LLNs) comprise physical sensors, processing capability, power, and other technologies to exchange information between systems and devices over the internet. However, these networks are susceptible to routing attacks affecting resources, traffic flow, and topology formation. In the related work, it has been discovered that many previous studies do not consider algorithms and implementation approaches for routing attacks. This research study provides a comprehensive in-depth synthesis insight into the description, effects, and algorithms & implementation of four routing attacks in LLNs i.e., rank, sinkhole, DIS-flooding, and worst parent attacks. The findings of this research study highlight …

Portable Skin Imaging Light-Box For Clinical Grade Skin Scans, Kayandra Lewis, Cayden Skidmore, Komi Atitsogbe Golo

Senior Design Project For Engineers

This project focuses on designing and developing a modular, portable skin-imaging light box to improve the consistency and accuracy of smartphone-based dermatological imaging. As AI-driven skin assessment tools grow in capability, a major limitation remains the variability in lighting, angle, and color fidelity in user-captured photos. To address this challenge, the team created a fold-flat, low-cost light box that attaches securely to a wide range of smartphones and provides uniform, high-CRI illumination suitable for clinical-grade analysis. Research into lighting technologies, human factors, smartphone specifications, and AI diagnostic tools guided the engineering decisions, ensuring the design aligned with real-world telemedicine and …

2025 - The Sixth Annual Fall Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the Fall 2025 Symposium of Student Scholars, held in November 2025. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.

The Utilisation Of The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4ir) Technologies In E-Government Service Delivery: A Systematic Literature Review, Arnet Zitha, Noluntu Mpekoa, Sheethal Tom

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

The integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies is transforming e-Government by boosting citizen engagement and enhancing service efficiency. However, gaps still exist in understanding the various applications, impacts, and barriers to adoption. This systematic review synthesises literature from 16 studies published between 2017 and 2025, illustrating how technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data, Internet of Things, and machine learning are employed and their effects on e-Government service delivery. The review reveals that 4IR technologies continue to play a vital role in e-Government services by addressing security threats, simplifying verification and authentication, building trust, and improving the quality and …

Smart Mobility Technologies In Urban Areas Of Emerging Economies: A Bibliometric Analysis, Peter Mugisha, Rose Luke, Joash Mageto, Hossana Twinomurinzi

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Despite the adoption of smart mobility solutions in emerging economies, challenges such as traffic congestion, pollution and inadequate infrastructure still persist. This study analyses 540 scholarly articles published between 2003 and 2024 to evaluate how smart mobility technologies – such as Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) – have been implemented in these regions. Data was retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science and analysed using Biblioshiny for bibliometric mapping and Atlas.ti for thematic analysis. The review identifies research trends and gaps, showing how ITS has improved transport management in cities like Nairobi, and …

2025- The Twenty-Ninth Annual Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the 29th Annual Symposium of Student Scholars, held on April 16-18, 2025. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.

Internet Of Things Devices Users’ Privacy Adherence: A Case Of Digital Ignorance, Akrasia Or Exhaustion?, Philip Bazanye, Walter F. Uys, Wallace Chigona

The African Journal of Information Systems

Internet of Things devices, such as those used in home automation, commercial and retail business, and smart cities, are vulnerable to attacks that affect all aspects of daily life. The upsurge in the use of IoT devices has increased the likelihood of cyber-attacks on end users. This research investigates the factors that influence IoT device users to adhere to privacy standards. This interpretivist exploratory research was guided by a three-phased approach. The interview questions were derived from the conceptual model and the constructs of Activity Theory, and themes were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. The findings were elaborated with reference …

Integrating Humanities Into Cybersecurity Education: Enhancing Ethical, Historical, And Sociopolitical Understanding In Technical Training, Joseph Frusci

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The increasing complexity of cybersecurity challenges necessitates a holistic educational approach that integrates both technical skills and humanistic perspectives. This article examines the importance of infusing humanities disciplines such as history, ethics, political science, sociology, law, and anthropology—into cybersecurity education. Through a pilot course developed for Staten Island Technical High School, aligned with the New York State K-12 Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards, students were introduced to an interdisciplinary curriculum that combined technical cybersecurity training with historical analysis, ethical reasoning, and sociopolitical context. The results of pre- and post-course assessments demonstrated significant improvements in critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and …

Anomalous Transaction Detection In Bank Credit Card Data Using Machine Learning, Lerdinia Varaidzo Mapepa, Jerremiah Musariwa, Lucia Makwasha, Samuel Mugijima

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Illegal money changers pose a number of risks to the financial system, including but not limited to money laundering, fraud, and other under-the-carpet dealings intended to frustrate regulatory efforts for financial integrity. The efficiency and accuracy of anti-money laundering (AML) measures using machine learning (ML) models in the detection of suspicious patterns in bank card transactions are investigated in this paper. The key focus will be to develop an efficient machine learning framework that should be proficient in underlining main transactions dealing with illegal money changers and other similar fraudulent activities. The features indicative of illicit behaviour are determined by …

Survey On Wi-Fi And Cellular Communication Technology For Advanced Metering Infrastructure (Ami) In A Developing Economy, Tejumade F. Anthony, Folasade M. Dahunsi

The African Journal of Information Systems

Traditional energy meters have suffered from a lack of automated analysis and inaccuracy in reading energy consumption, which has brought about smart metering systems. Developing economies such as in Africa. still experience a setback in electricity monitoring and load distribution because of existing traditional meter systems in use. Communication technologies play an important role to improve the monitoring of energy consumption and ensure a road map toward a smart grid. This paper reviews communication technologies used for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) emphasizing Wi-Fi and Cellular technologies. Metrics used to evaluate their performance include cost, energy efficiency, coverage, deployment, latency, payload, …

Integrating Nist And Iso Cybersecurity Audit And Risk Assessment Frameworks Into Cameroonian Law, Bernard Ngalim

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

This paper reviews cybersecurity laws and regulations in Cameroon, focusing on cybersecurity and information security audits and risk assessments. The importance of cybersecurity risk assessment and the implementation of security controls to cure deficiencies noted during risk assessments or audits is a critical step in developing cybersecurity resilience. Cameroon's cybersecurity legal framework provides for audits but does not explicitly enumerate controls. Consequently, integrating relevant controls from the NIST frameworks and ISO Standards can improve the cybersecurity posture in Cameroon while waiting for a comprehensive revision of the legal framework. NIST and ISO are internationally recognized as best practices in information …

Internet Of Things Affordance For Open Educational Resources In A Comprehensive Open Distance E-Learning, Lancelord Mncube

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

The Internet of Things (IoT) space has dual dimensions of affordance to support open educational resources (OER). The duality of affordance has little or not been well articulated in relation to OER, particularly in a Comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODEL) institution. Such an institution is a mega open distance in South Africa and beyond the continent to accommodate students globally and rely on information and communication technology (ICT) in the provision of tuition. In the CODEL institution, there is a recognizable shift as the institution encourages the appropriation of OER and phasing out the prescription of the prescribed textbooks. The …

A Social Profile-Based E-Learning Model, Xola Ntlangula

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Many High Education Institutions (HEIs) have migrated to blended or complete online learning to cater for less interruption with learning. As such, there is a growing demand for personalized e-learning to accommodate the diversity of students' needs. Personalization can be achieved using recommendation systems powered by artificial intelligence. Although using student data to personalize learning is not a new concept, collecting and identifying appropriate data is necessary to determine the best recommendations for students. By reviewing the existing data collection capabilities of the e-learning platforms deployed by public universities in South Africa, we were able to establish the readiness of …

Experiences Of African Women In Stem Careers: A Systematic Literature Review., Kaluwa Siwale, Gwamaka Mwalemba, Ulrike Rivett

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

The discourse on women's underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) mainly centres on the global north, leaving a gap in understanding the perspectives of African women in STEM. To address this, a systematic literature review was conducted to explore African women's experiences in STEM careers and education. After applying inclusion and criteria, 18 published articles were analysed. 8 key issues emerge: work environment, education system, work-life balance, gender-based stereotypes, racial bias, sexual harassment, inadequate support/mentorship, and self-imposed limits. These themes intertwine, with some aspects influencing others. Grasping the complexities and interactions of these factors provides insights into challenges …

Predictive Maintenance Of Base Transceiver Station Power System Using Xgboost Algorithm: A Case Study Of Econet Wireless, Zimbabwe, Tavengwa Masamha

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Faults incurred by Base Transceiver Stations pose challenges to telecommunication organisations. Mostly the faults are due to BTS failures. BTS power system failures can have a significant impact on organizational performance in the telecommunications industry. These failures can cause disruptions in mobile network coverage, leading to dropped calls, slow data speeds, and difficulty connecting to the network. ECONET Zimbabwe has been experiencing unprecedented BTS power system failures for the past five years. Team Data Science Process was the pillar of the study methodology. The XGBoost algorithm was employed to develop a predictive model for the maintenance of Base Transceiver Station …

E-Wild Life Alert: Tackling The Human-Wildlife Conflict Problem, Eliel Kundai Zhuwankinyu, Sibonile Moyo, Catherine Chivasa, Smart Ncube

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Depletion of resources meant for both human and animal survival leads to competition for these. Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) occurs when these two parties compete for resources such as space, water, and food. If not properly managed, HWC can lead to loss of livelihoods and even loss of life. This paper discusses the design and development of an E-Wildlife Alert application that uses machine learning to detect dangerous animals. Using the Design Science Research method, a convolutional neural network is trained to build an artifact that detects five dangerous animals from an African context. The artifact is mounted on a robot …

A Customized Artificial Intelligence Based Career Choice Recommender System For A Rural University, Nosipho Carol Mavuso, Nobert Jere, Darelle Vangreunen

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

Rapid technological developments have enabled users to be supported and guided in decision-making. An example of this is the ability of tertiary students to use technology to explore different career options and make informed decisions about their future. Notwithstanding the increasing use of technology in general, the technology for career guidance and personalized career recommendations in South Africa is still limited. There are some limiting factors such as the ever-looming challenge of limited access to technology, language barriers and cultural differences that are prevalent in rural areas. With this premise, this study collected quantitative data from students at an Eastern …

2023- The Twenty-Seventh Annual Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the Twenty-seventh Annual Symposium of Student Scholars, held on April 18-21, 2023. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.

Phytoextraction Of Lead (Pb) Contaminated Soil By Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L): Impact Of Bap And Nta Applications, Genna Hart, Austin Gilly, Marina Koether, Thomas Mcelroy, Sigurdur Greipsson

Faculty Articles

The accumulation of Pb deposits in soil is a growing global concern. Soil remediation options include phytoextraction that involves the use of plants and associated soil microorganism. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a second-generation bioenergy crop was used in this study due to its ability to produce high biomass and grow in metal polluted soils. Plants were grown in Pb-contaminated soil (5,802.5 mg kg−1) in an environmentally controlled greenhouse. Plants were treated with exogenous application of the plant growth regulator (PGR) benzylaminopurine (BAP) or complete foliar nutrient solution (Triple-12®) twice a week until harvested. Plants also received the soil fungicide propiconazole …

Using Design Science Research To Create A Virtual Environment For Nursing Students, Benjamin Botha, Lizette De Wet

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

This paper aims to provide insight into the design science research approach followed during a transdisciplinary research study between computer scientists and professional nurses. The researchers used a design science research approach to create a virtual environment where nursing students could practice managing a patient with a foreign object in the right lung. The virtual environment underwent multiple changes as it progressed through the different cycles of design science research. Within these cycles, namely the relevance, design, and rigor cycle, various iterations of each of the cycles took place. Presented in this paper the design science approach followed will be …

Factors Affecting The Adoption Of Information And Communication Technologies In Africa: Literature Review, Edison Wazoel Lubua

African Conference on Information Systems and Technology

This paper synthesised the literature on the adoption of Information and Communication Technology within Africa. The purpose was to determine factors (reported by the literature) determining technology adoption and use, in Africa. The paper used the systematic literature review. The study analysed the factors descriptively. Based on the analysis, the following are the main five factors reported to affect the adoption and use of Information Technology in Africa: Lack of ICT knowledge, unreliable infrastructure, high cost of adoption, the perceived usefulness of ICT, and the perceived ease of use. The government and technology implementing organisation has the key role to …

2021 - The Second Annual Fall Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the Fall 2021 Symposium of Student Scholars, held on November 18, 2021. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.

Ecomspaces: Warehouse Workflow Optimization, Edwin Lim, Gustavo Andrade, Melanie Cardenas, Nicolai Sison

Senior Design Project For Engineers

Ecomspaces specializes in fulfillment services for e-commerce businesses, providing as a full-service provider for storage, shipping, and rental office space solutions. RelayShopUSA focuses on parcel forwarding services to both domestic and French international customers. The two services operate under the same roof and utilize near-identical resources. For the sake of simplicity, both services will be referenced throughout this document as Ecomspaces.

Ecomspaces has been experiencing difficulty in accepting and handling a greater volume of clients due to infrastructure-related problems within their warehouse. Management is seeking the development of both scalable and sustainable systems to cut costs and achieve long-term …