College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences
Unisa student to present groundbreaking research on AI and climate change at Dubai conference
Phathutshedzo Mundalamo
The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) continues to showcase excellence through its postgraduate students who are contributing innovative research solutions to global challenges.
One such example is Phathutshedzo Mundalamo, a master’s student in Environmental Management at the University of South Africa (Unisa), who has been invited to present her research at the prestigious International Conference on AI and Data Science Applications and Advances (ICADAA-2025), hosted by Emirates Aviation University in Dubai.
Supervised by Professors Kevin Mearns and Kaitano Dube, Mundalamo is conducting pioneering research on the intersection of climate change and artificial intelligence (AI) in the aviation sector. As part of her master’s programme, she has collaborated with her professors on research titled ”Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Efforts at Airports Company South Africa: AI-Enabled Pathways Forward”. The research examines how AI can be utilised to improve sustainability, resilience, and carbon efficiency within airport operations, a crucial focus area as the aviation industry strives to transition toward a low-carbon future.
Mundalamo, who is employed by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), has already made remarkable contributions in the field of environmental management and climate action. Her leadership and innovation have earned her several distinguished recognitions, including being named one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans (2024) in the Climate Change and Environmental category and receiving the Gauteng Woman of Wonder Award (2024) in the Environment category.
Reflecting on her journey, Mundalamo expresses gratitude for Unisa’s academic support and her supervisors’ mentorship, which she credits for shaping her research direction and vision.
“Being part of Unisa has empowered me to engage in global sustainability conversations and apply my research to solve real-world environmental challenges. I am honoured to represent both ACSA and Unisa on this international platform,” she says.
“Phathutshedzo’s work exemplifies the kind of innovative thinking and applied research we seek to nurture at Unisa,” says Mearns. “Her focus on AI and climate change demonstrates how interdisciplinary approaches can drive real transformation in industry and environmental management.”
Her invitation to present at ICADAA-2025 not only highlights her individual achievements but also underscores Unisa’s commitment to producing graduates who address complex environmental issues through innovation, scientific research, and technology-driven solutions.
As the world continues to grapple with the escalating impacts of climate change, Mundalamo’s research offers a timely framework for integrating artificial intelligence, environmental policy, and sustainable aviation practices, paving the way for a smarter and more sustainable future.
* By Gugu Masinga, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Publish date: 2025-11-18 00:00:00.0
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