Lecturer

Eng Portia Mupfumira

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:

Engineer Portia Mupfumira is a dedicated academic and researcher serving as the Deputy Dean in the School of Engineering and Technology. With over a decade of experience in academia, she has established herself as a leader in engineering education and research. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Engineering, focusing on Creating a Generic Smart City conceptual framework using System Dynamics and Agent-based modelling approach to aid decision-making purposes and policy-makers in the development of Smart Cities.

A strong advocate for the application of engineering principles to solve real-world challenges, Portia Mupfumira specializes in research that emphasizes innovative approaches to optimizing complex systems and creating sustainable solutions in engineering and beyond. As Deputy Dean, she is committed to fostering academic excellence, driving research innovation, and cultivating the next generation of engineering leaders.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS:

  • PhD in Engineering (Current studies)
  • MEng in Industrial Systems Optimisation
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • NC Machineshop Engineering

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

  • Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers (MZweIE) member 
  • Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ) member
  • Southern African Institute of Industrial Engineers (AMSAIIE), associate member
  • System Dynamics Society member.

TEACHING AREAS:  

  • Operations Research
  • Operations Management
  • Modelling and Simulation (Discrete and Continuous)
  • Optimisation Techniques
  • System Dynamics Modelling
  • Metaheuristics
  • Engineering Drawing and Graphics Design
  • Computer Aided Design & Computer Aided Manufacturing (CADCAM)
  • Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)

 RESEARCH AREAS:

  • Modelling and Simulation for development of decision support systems using System Dynamics, ABM and ARENA.
  • Systems Analysis and Optimisation using MATLAB.
  • Transportation Systems
  • Smart Cities.
  • Optimisation

 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS IN PEER REVIEWED JOURNALS

  • Portia Mupfumira, Michael Mutingi, Michael Sony, (2024) Smart city frameworks SWOT analysis: a systematic literature review, Frontiers in Sustainable Cities, Vol 6 December 2024, pages
  • Z. Borerwe, P. Mupfumira, E. Ndala Emmanuel (2022) A Rotor Dynamics Modal Vibrational Analysis of a Water Well Rig Drill String, i-Manager’s Journal on Mechanical Engineering, Vol 12, issue 4
  • Z. Borerwe, P. Mupfumira, E. Ndala Emmanuel (2023) Effects of Drill Pipe Length and Weight on Bit on Lateral and Longitudinal Vibrations, i-Manager’s Journal on Mechanical Engineering, Vol 13, issue 4
  • N Tayisepi, E Ndala, P Mupfumira, G V Nyakujara O Gwatidzo & M D Hudube, (2023) Analysis of Surface Roughness, Micro hardness Transition and Specific Energy use Relationship during the outside Turning of Grade 5 Titanium Alloy, Ti6Al4V, using Carbide Tipped Tools on a CNC Lathe, International Research Journal of Engineering Science Technology and Innovation 10(12):2 – 12
  • Mupfumira, B. Wirjodirdjo, (2015) An Economically Sustainable Urban Public Transport Framework: System Dynamics Modelling Approach to Reduce Public Transport Liberalisation Impact in Harare City International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, Volume 3, Issue 2-2, April 2015, Pages: 11-2

 CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

  • P. Mupfumira, M. Mutingi, M. Chirasha, M. Hudube, T Dzapasi, (2023) A SWOT Analysis of Smart Cities Frameworks, Proceedings of the 5th African International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Lusaka, Zambia, April 4-6 2023
  • P. Mupfumira, D.A.K Mangunda, M.N.H Chikuruwo & T. Kanyowa, (2022) Development of a Hybrid Smart Energy Distribution Decision Support Model: Case of Zimbabwe, 2022 International System Dynamics Conference, Publisher https://proceedings.systemdynamics.org/2022/index.html
  • P. Mupfumira & Michael Mutingi, (2022) Smart Cities Hybrid Conceptual Modelling –Research Methodology Extended Abstract, The System Dynamics Colloquium
  • P Mupfumira, W. T. Rukweza, (2015) Design of a Microcontroller-based Temperature Humidity Control System of Biomass Fired Tobacco Curing Barn for Small to Medium Scale Farmers in Zimbabwe, International Conference on Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (ICMIE’15), Harare, Zimbabwe, July 14-15
  • Portia Mupfumira, B Wirjodirdjo, E Widodo, (2014) System Dynamics Approach to Urban Public Transport Economic Sustainability: Strategy to Reduce Overall Impact of Urban Transport Partial De-regulation in Harare City. Conference paper
  • L Gushungo, P Mupfumira, DV Von Kallon, (2022) Development of an automated coal mine methane extraction system, Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Nsukka, Nigeria, 5 – 7 April, 2022

 CONSULTANCIES CONDUCTED

  • External Assessor to the HEXCO examinations
  • HEXCO examinations irregular practise cases validation