Engineer and specialist consultant Dr Pat Naidoo will, from July 1, join the University of Johannesburg (UJ) as Professor of Research and City of Johannesburg chair in green economy and innovation.
“The key areas that I will focus on include the engineering and development of microgrids to promote the deep penetration of natural renewable-energy resources into daily application; and the launch of a menu of energy-efficient solutions for residential, commercial and industrial use.
“In addition, there will be focus on the forward planning on key issues to unlock institutional reform, policy, legislation, regulatory and environmental factors for a sustainable city,” he noted.
He added that the project management of the City of Johannesburg’s green portfolio of entrepreneurial job creation projects from the integrated energy, transport, waste, water and information and communication technology sectors would be boosted to achieve lockdown of time, cost and quality.
“I will also promote research and innovation in fusing together the agricultural, industrial and post-industrial societies within the City of Johannesburg,” he stated.