Media statement by Nomonde Mbadi, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs
Durban University of Technology (DUT) is hosting two renowned systems experts in the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics on Ritson campus. Don Petkov and Olga Petkova are Professors at Eastern Connecticut State University and Central Connecticut State University in the US, respectively.
Professors Petkov and Petkova are at DUT assisting staff to select research topics and conduct research towards improving overall research output in information technology and other areas.
They are also giving a series of seminars related to preparation of research proposals, the writing of dissertations and publications. They will share also their expertise in the area of assessment of student learning and e-Learning.
Petkova is currently conducting research on collaborative technology in virtual teams. She has published widely on software development and Information Technology education issues. Petkov is pursuing research on the application of systems thinking in software development. He serves as the Deputy Editor (USA) of Systems Research and Behavioural Science (Wiley) and is on the editorial boards of IJITSA, JISE and Scientific Inquiry. He has published widely on systems thinking and IT management.
Both Professors Petkova and Petkov have previously worked and lived in Pietermaritzburg for 11 years. Petkova previously worked at the Midlands campus of Technikon Natal from 1994 – 1997 and later worked at University of Durban-Westville and University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg (UNP). Petkov was with the former UNP since 1991. He was the Associate Director of Research at ML Sultan campus for six months in 1999 while on leave from UNP.
They are both delighted to be back in South Africa again to work with their former colleagues. Petkova is in South Africa until the end of March, while Professor Petkov will leave at the end of April.
They will be presenting at a series of seminars on research and IT issues
For more information, please contact Bhekani Dlamini on 031 3737 2845 to facilitate the interview.