Academic staff development strategies in engineering fields of study : case study of Zimbabwe
- Mhlanga, Samson, Matope, Stephen, Mugwagwa, Lameck, Phuthi, Nduduzo, Moyo, Vincent S
- Authors: Mhlanga, Samson , Matope, Stephen , Mugwagwa, Lameck , Phuthi, Nduduzo , Moyo, Vincent S
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Higher education - Zimbabwe , Engineering - Study and teaching - Zimbabwe , Academic staff development - Zimbabwe
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13027
- Description: Higher education is the basic instrument of economic growth and technological advancement in any society. The economic meltdown in Zimbabwe which climaxed 2008 with an inflation level of 231million % exacerbated the brain drain. After the economic meltdown, Zimbabwe is in the process of rebuilding the quality of staff and the staffing levels in its higher education institutions. The challenge has been the decision on the mode of study: whether to go via taught masters or masters by research; where to allow the faculty members to study: in the region, or beyond; on a fulltime or on a part-time basis or on a split-site basis. These challenges have been due to the need to have a quick but quality programme of staff development, while maximising on the resources available for staff development. A survey was undertaken of the engineering related departments in Zimbabwe universities focusing on the existing staffing levels, their qualifications, current numbers undergoing study and their levels. The challenges faced by each institution from the administrative side and from the staff side are summarised. Recommendations on staff development strategies are given in conclusion.
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- Authors: Mhlanga, Samson , Matope, Stephen , Mugwagwa, Lameck , Phuthi, Nduduzo , Moyo, Vincent S
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Higher education - Zimbabwe , Engineering - Study and teaching - Zimbabwe , Academic staff development - Zimbabwe
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13027
- Description: Higher education is the basic instrument of economic growth and technological advancement in any society. The economic meltdown in Zimbabwe which climaxed 2008 with an inflation level of 231million % exacerbated the brain drain. After the economic meltdown, Zimbabwe is in the process of rebuilding the quality of staff and the staffing levels in its higher education institutions. The challenge has been the decision on the mode of study: whether to go via taught masters or masters by research; where to allow the faculty members to study: in the region, or beyond; on a fulltime or on a part-time basis or on a split-site basis. These challenges have been due to the need to have a quick but quality programme of staff development, while maximising on the resources available for staff development. A survey was undertaken of the engineering related departments in Zimbabwe universities focusing on the existing staffing levels, their qualifications, current numbers undergoing study and their levels. The challenges faced by each institution from the administrative side and from the staff side are summarised. Recommendations on staff development strategies are given in conclusion.
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Design of comminution circuits for improved productivity using a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA)
- Mhlanga, Samson, Ndlovu, Jabulani, Mbohwa, Charles, Mutingi, Michael
- Authors: Mhlanga, Samson , Ndlovu, Jabulani , Mbohwa, Charles , Mutingi, Michael
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Comminution circuits , Evolutionary algorithms , Multi-objective optimisation , Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms , Genetic algorithms
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14411
- Description: The performance of a processing plant has a large impact on the profitability of a mining operation, yet plant desig optimisation decisions are based on past experience and intuition rather than on scientific analysis. Genetic algorithms as a tool for circuit analysis in plant design and optimisation was considered. The multi-objective evolutionary algorithm initialises the plant design and optimisation based on experimental results, which are used to formulate and determine the objective function values. A simulation was conducted to assess the performance of candidate solutions. The two optima are then traded-of using cost objective, which is sought to be minimized. Once an optimum was selected, the circuit mass balance and equipment design was performed, bringing the theory of network design and genetic algorithms into unison. Results of the study provide financial benefits, optimal parameter settings for the comminution equipment and ultimate better plant performance.
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- Authors: Mhlanga, Samson , Ndlovu, Jabulani , Mbohwa, Charles , Mutingi, Michael
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Comminution circuits , Evolutionary algorithms , Multi-objective optimisation , Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms , Genetic algorithms
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5170 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14411
- Description: The performance of a processing plant has a large impact on the profitability of a mining operation, yet plant desig optimisation decisions are based on past experience and intuition rather than on scientific analysis. Genetic algorithms as a tool for circuit analysis in plant design and optimisation was considered. The multi-objective evolutionary algorithm initialises the plant design and optimisation based on experimental results, which are used to formulate and determine the objective function values. A simulation was conducted to assess the performance of candidate solutions. The two optima are then traded-of using cost objective, which is sought to be minimized. Once an optimum was selected, the circuit mass balance and equipment design was performed, bringing the theory of network design and genetic algorithms into unison. Results of the study provide financial benefits, optimal parameter settings for the comminution equipment and ultimate better plant performance.
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Freight traffic planning and rolling stock scheduling management tool
- Sibanda, Vennan, Mhlanga, Samson, Mbohwa, Charles, Goriwondo, William M., Pretorius, Jan-Harm C.
- Authors: Sibanda, Vennan , Mhlanga, Samson , Mbohwa, Charles , Goriwondo, William M. , Pretorius, Jan-Harm C.
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Freight traffic planning , Rolling stock scheduling management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4932 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13032
- Description: A railway organisation is designed to provide economies of scale in a country’s freight traffic system and it is on this understanding that a need has been observed to prompt a design for a Freight Traffic Planning and Rolling Stock Scheduling Management Tool that will ensure optimum allocation and utilisation of resources, and timely delivery of customer goods. Literature related to freight traffic planning and wagon scheduling is explored in an attempt to find the best solution alternatives in order to develop a programme for freight traffic planning and wagon scheduling that will optimise resource utilisation. However, several aspects have to be additionally taken into account, such as cyclic departures of the trains from stations, available loads at stations, types of wagons required for given commodity types, destinations, locomotive types, and transfer of wagons between or at stations i.e. attaching and or detaching wagons in transit. The model is formulated as a goal programming problem, and solutions are obtained using VB.Net on ORACLE Database. The solutions give proper knowledge of available business (freight traffic) at any station nationwide; knowledge and position of all wagons by types at anytime; proper allocation and scheduling of wagons to take available business in terms of priority and monitored wagon distribution nationwide. Locomotive and Wagon availability revolved around 74 and 66% respectively. Computational results for several test instances are presented.
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- Authors: Sibanda, Vennan , Mhlanga, Samson , Mbohwa, Charles , Goriwondo, William M. , Pretorius, Jan-Harm C.
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Freight traffic planning , Rolling stock scheduling management
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4932 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13032
- Description: A railway organisation is designed to provide economies of scale in a country’s freight traffic system and it is on this understanding that a need has been observed to prompt a design for a Freight Traffic Planning and Rolling Stock Scheduling Management Tool that will ensure optimum allocation and utilisation of resources, and timely delivery of customer goods. Literature related to freight traffic planning and wagon scheduling is explored in an attempt to find the best solution alternatives in order to develop a programme for freight traffic planning and wagon scheduling that will optimise resource utilisation. However, several aspects have to be additionally taken into account, such as cyclic departures of the trains from stations, available loads at stations, types of wagons required for given commodity types, destinations, locomotive types, and transfer of wagons between or at stations i.e. attaching and or detaching wagons in transit. The model is formulated as a goal programming problem, and solutions are obtained using VB.Net on ORACLE Database. The solutions give proper knowledge of available business (freight traffic) at any station nationwide; knowledge and position of all wagons by types at anytime; proper allocation and scheduling of wagons to take available business in terms of priority and monitored wagon distribution nationwide. Locomotive and Wagon availability revolved around 74 and 66% respectively. Computational results for several test instances are presented.
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Integrated cellular manufacturing system design : an evolutionary algorithm approach
- Mutingi, Michael, Mbohwa, Charles, Mhlanga, Samson, Goriwondo, William
- Authors: Mutingi, Michael , Mbohwa, Charles , Mhlanga, Samson , Goriwondo, William
- Date: 2012-07-03
- Subjects: Evolutionary algorithms , Cellular manufacturing , Plant layout , Building layout
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14421
- Description: Cellular manufacturing system design has received much attention for the past three decades. The design process involves decisions on (i) cell formation, (ii) cell layout, and (iii) layout of cells on the shop floor. These decisions should be addressed jointly, if full benefits of cellular manufacturing are to be realised. However, due to the complexity of the problem, most researchers addressed these phases sequentially. In this paper, we propose an enhanced evolutionary algorithm to jointly address cell formation and layout problems, based on sequence data. The approach compares favourably to well-known heuristics and performed well on published data sets, providing improved solutions.
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- Authors: Mutingi, Michael , Mbohwa, Charles , Mhlanga, Samson , Goriwondo, William
- Date: 2012-07-03
- Subjects: Evolutionary algorithms , Cellular manufacturing , Plant layout , Building layout
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5179 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/14421
- Description: Cellular manufacturing system design has received much attention for the past three decades. The design process involves decisions on (i) cell formation, (ii) cell layout, and (iii) layout of cells on the shop floor. These decisions should be addressed jointly, if full benefits of cellular manufacturing are to be realised. However, due to the complexity of the problem, most researchers addressed these phases sequentially. In this paper, we propose an enhanced evolutionary algorithm to jointly address cell formation and layout problems, based on sequence data. The approach compares favourably to well-known heuristics and performed well on published data sets, providing improved solutions.
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Review of optimisation applications in rail freight logistics with a view to identify possible applications in the Southern African region
- Mhlanga, Samson, Mbohwa, Charles, Pretorius, Jan Harm, Gwangwava, Norman
- Authors: Mhlanga, Samson , Mbohwa, Charles , Pretorius, Jan Harm , Gwangwava, Norman
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Optimisation , Rail freight logistics - Southern Africa , Freightage costs - Southern Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6254 , ISSN 2010-4626 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8209
- Description: Logistics is one of the most important and critical economic drivers which determines the rate at which goods can be exported at the lowest cost. The paper reviewed Southern Africa rail freight infrastructure and planning activities. It interrogated the academic and research institutes activities as related to rail freight. A review of one of the biggest freight company Transnet was done to highlight extent of application. The paper concludes by highlighting potential and the gaps in optimisation within Southern Africa rail freight, which can be addressed using operations research techniques such as ant colony and genetic algorithms with a view to inform decision making.
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- Authors: Mhlanga, Samson , Mbohwa, Charles , Pretorius, Jan Harm , Gwangwava, Norman
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Optimisation , Rail freight logistics - Southern Africa , Freightage costs - Southern Africa
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6254 , ISSN 2010-4626 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8209
- Description: Logistics is one of the most important and critical economic drivers which determines the rate at which goods can be exported at the lowest cost. The paper reviewed Southern Africa rail freight infrastructure and planning activities. It interrogated the academic and research institutes activities as related to rail freight. A review of one of the biggest freight company Transnet was done to highlight extent of application. The paper concludes by highlighting potential and the gaps in optimisation within Southern Africa rail freight, which can be addressed using operations research techniques such as ant colony and genetic algorithms with a view to inform decision making.
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Telemetric data logger and monitor for mining vehicles
- Gunda, Lovemore, Nkiwane, Fredrick, Mhlanga, Samson, Nyanga, Lungile, Nyathi, Zedekaih M.
- Authors: Gunda, Lovemore , Nkiwane, Fredrick , Mhlanga, Samson , Nyanga, Lungile , Nyathi, Zedekaih M.
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Telemetry , Peripheral Interface Controller , Mining vehicles , Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition System
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13065
- Description: Telemetry is the technology that allows data measurement at a distance. It uses data loggers which record data over time or in relation to location, either with built-in instruments or through instruments and sensors. The system discussed in the paper is based on a Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC18F4550), a series of sensors, a Radio Frequency (RF) link and a Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed using Visual Basic (VB). The system was designed to monitor mining vehicles by measuring engine temperature, transmission temperature, hydraulic oil temperature and hydraulic pressure in pumps and hoist cylinders. The data measured by the sensors in the mining vehicles (the plant) is transmitted to the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition System (SCADA) through the RF link. The RF link uses a transmission frequency of 433.95 Mega Hertz (MHz) to enable flawless communication between the plant and the SCADA. The developed prototype was simulated using small pressurized containers and heating systems and the results were displayed on the GUI. The whole system development process was a multi-discipline project and it showed that RF communications are very reliable in data transmission.
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- Authors: Gunda, Lovemore , Nkiwane, Fredrick , Mhlanga, Samson , Nyanga, Lungile , Nyathi, Zedekaih M.
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Telemetry , Peripheral Interface Controller , Mining vehicles , Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition System
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4964 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13065
- Description: Telemetry is the technology that allows data measurement at a distance. It uses data loggers which record data over time or in relation to location, either with built-in instruments or through instruments and sensors. The system discussed in the paper is based on a Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC18F4550), a series of sensors, a Radio Frequency (RF) link and a Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed using Visual Basic (VB). The system was designed to monitor mining vehicles by measuring engine temperature, transmission temperature, hydraulic oil temperature and hydraulic pressure in pumps and hoist cylinders. The data measured by the sensors in the mining vehicles (the plant) is transmitted to the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition System (SCADA) through the RF link. The RF link uses a transmission frequency of 433.95 Mega Hertz (MHz) to enable flawless communication between the plant and the SCADA. The developed prototype was simulated using small pressurized containers and heating systems and the results were displayed on the GUI. The whole system development process was a multi-discipline project and it showed that RF communications are very reliable in data transmission.
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Transportation demand analysis of coal from Hwange coal fields
- Mhlanga, Samson, Mbohwa, Charles, Pretorius, Jan H.C.
- Authors: Mhlanga, Samson , Mbohwa, Charles , Pretorius, Jan H.C.
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Coal mining - Zimbabwe - Hwange , Coal transportation - Zimbabwe
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4872 , ISBN 978-988-19251-0-7 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12548
- Description: This paper seeks to provide a background to the coal and coke manufacturing industry in Zimbabwe after the economical melt down of 2007. It analyses the current situation in terms of coal and coke supply and to identify the factors that affect coal and coke transportation choices. Results of the survey of the coal and coke suppliers were tabulated and factors which affect transportation such as method of loading, payment plans, reliability and strategic alignment of the transporter were analysed. Model recommendations on a strategic supply chain management approach were given for the agricultural sector and for the manufacturing sector with the aim of reducing heavy loads on the road and minimizing emissions by trucks while still maintaining high productivity..
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- Authors: Mhlanga, Samson , Mbohwa, Charles , Pretorius, Jan H.C.
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Coal mining - Zimbabwe - Hwange , Coal transportation - Zimbabwe
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:4872 , ISBN 978-988-19251-0-7 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/12548
- Description: This paper seeks to provide a background to the coal and coke manufacturing industry in Zimbabwe after the economical melt down of 2007. It analyses the current situation in terms of coal and coke supply and to identify the factors that affect coal and coke transportation choices. Results of the survey of the coal and coke suppliers were tabulated and factors which affect transportation such as method of loading, payment plans, reliability and strategic alignment of the transporter were analysed. Model recommendations on a strategic supply chain management approach were given for the agricultural sector and for the manufacturing sector with the aim of reducing heavy loads on the road and minimizing emissions by trucks while still maintaining high productivity..
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