Professor Anthea Patricia Amadi-Echendu, Acting Head of  Office for Tuition and Learner Support in the College of Economic and Management Science at University of South Africa, continues to make a significant impact in both academia and industry through her multidisciplinary research and leadership.

Acting Head of  Office for Tuition and Learner Support

Having joined Unisa in 2011, Prof Amadi-Echendu brings more than 20 years of professional experience across banking, finance, business development, and higher education. Her academic credentials include a DPhil in Information Science from the University of Pretoria, as well as an LLB, MCom, and BCom (Hons) from Unisa.

Her research spans a wide range of contemporary fields, including operations management, technology management, and supply chain innovation. She has a particular interest in emerging areas such as digital land registries, green logistics, blockchain applications, and sustainable business models in developing economies. Her work also engages deeply with the implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

An accomplished scholar, Prof Amadi-Echendu has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, contributed to academic books, and presented her work at international conferences. She supervises numerous postgraduate students at master’s and doctoral levels, guiding research in areas such as artificial intelligence in manufacturing, crowdsourced logistics, digital land administration, and sustainable agribusiness.

Beyond research, she plays a key role in curriculum development at Unisa, contributing to the design and accreditation of new academic programmes. Her teaching, which includes modules in Operations Management and Industry 4.0, is grounded in a constructivist approach that emphasises practical and applied learning.

Prof Amadi-Echendu’s leadership extends beyond the classroom. She is a founding member and director of the Society for Operations Management in Africa, has served as Acting Head of Department, and leads the Entrepreneurship Hub (E-Hub) within the College of Economic and Management Sciences. She also contributes to the broader academic community as an external moderator and examiner at various South African universities.

Committed to bridging the gap between academia and industry, she is actively involved in media engagements, keynote speaking, and community outreach initiatives aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and young graduates.

Through her work, Prof Amadi-Echendu continues to influence both scholarly discourse and practical applications in operations management, technological innovation, and sustainable development across Africa and beyond.