Prof. Dr. Webby M. Mwaku

Dedicated professional Engineer, Professor and academic with almost two decades of experience in teaching, research and publication in the fields of Electrical engineering. Demonstrated ability to integrate innovative methodologies into teaching and research, leading to a 25% improvement in student engagement and a 20% increase in publication citations annually. Skilled in collaborative research projects that have secured over $50,000 in grant and project funding. Passionate about mentoring undergraduate and postgraduate students and contributing to Institutional growth through curriculum development and interdisciplinary research within electrical engineering. I remain resolute and optimistic to fully perform my new duties and responsibilities to the full satisfaction of your expectations.

• Member – Russian Union of Engineers (MRUE), since 2012;
• Member – Russian Association of Engineering Education (MRAEE), since 2013;
• Member – Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (MIEEE), since 2013;
• Member – Engineering Institution of Zambia (MEIZ), since 2016.
• Registered Professional Engineer – Engineering Institution of Zambia (REng), since 2016.

1. Mwaku, W., Mugala, G., Musonda, G.”PID Controller Tuning Methods for Load Frequency Control (LFC)”, Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol-8 Issue 1 January 2018.

2. Mwaku, W., Mugala, G., Musonda, G. “Load Frequency Optimization using Particle Swarm Optimization (A Case of the Power System in Zambia)” International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology, Vol-7 Issue 6 June 2018.

3. Mwaku, W., Mugala, G., Musonda, G.,”Analysis and Validation of Load Frequency Control Optimization” International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology, Vol-10 Issue 8 August 2021.

4. B. Kumwenda, W. Mwaku, D. Mulongoti and H. Louie “Integration of Solar Energy into the Zambia Power Grid Considering Ramp Rate Constraints”, Presented at Power Africa Conference, Ghana, 28th June, 2017.

5. W. Mwaku, G. Musonda, G. Mugala and H. Louie, “Load Frequency Control (LFC) Optimization using Particle Swarm Optimization,” IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, Seattle, WA, December 2017.

6. W. Mwaku, G. Mugala and Musonda G, “Application of Power System Modeling and Analysis Techniques on the Zambian Grid”, 8th International Conference on Engineering and Emerging Technologies, Tokyo, Japan. July 16-18, 2021.

7. W. Mwaku and Mugala G, “Optimal Power Flow Mathematical Model of Soar PV Integrated Power Grid”, International Conference on Electrical Computer and Energy Technologies (ICECET), Cape Town, South Africa, 9-10 December 2021.

8. Mwaku W.M. Work Efficiency Enhancement in an Electro-technical Complex of an Oil-and-Gas Processing Enterprise during Oil Preparation /Kornilov V.Y., Mwaku W.M. // Energetika Tatarstana №2 (30). – Kazan: 2013. – P. 50-54.

9. Mwaku W.M. Optimizing the Operation Modes of an Electro-technical Complex of the Main Equipment of the Oil-and-Gas Processing Enterprise in the Process of Oil Preparation /Kornilov V.Y., Mwaku W.M. // Izvestiya Vuzov. Problemyi Energetika №1-2. – Kazan: Publishing House KSPEU, 2013. – P. 117-126.

10. Mwaku W.M. Designing Methodologies of Automated Control Systems of Technological Processes in the Preparation and Transportation of Oil /Kornilov V.Y., Mwaku W.M. // Izvestiya Vuzov. Problemyi Energetika №7-8. – Kazan: Publishing House KSPEU, 2013. – P. 117-123.

Introduction:

I would like to share with you some thoughts on lecturing/teaching in a post-secondary academic institution. I must say, first and foremost, that I see lecturing not as static but as dynamic and ever evolving process, ever improving and never perfected. My views have been shaped during my years as a university student and later as a professional working in the engineering industry as well as a university lecturer.

Schooling - Training - Paideia:

A well-rounded education includes professional training and humanistic values. The need for education has been recognized since ancient times and continues to today. The post-secondary education shall not limit itself to schooling by requiring simply courses to be taken, shall not limit itself to training by providing professional skills, but must develop a well round person by providing the good education, paideia, that teaches a student to think and enable adults to be life-long learners. It is paideia that makes a difference in distinguishing a person.

The Scientist – The Engineer – The Technologist – The Technician:

It is very important for the student to know the whole spectrum of grades in the profession. Although the transition from one to another is not sharp but there is a grey and overlapping area, knowing the whole spectrum is important not to restrict but to clarify what is expected, what will be the approach, and where the student stands.

The Academician – The Teacher – The Student - The Scholar – The Researcher – The Citizen:

A view of the university lecturer:

The same person, the university lecturer, carries all these roles. The characteristics of these roles distinguish the person and make him/her a positive contributor to the society. All these functions require and result in a mature and well-rounded person. It is these characteristics that give to the university teacher special rights and obligations.

The University lecturer is a Researcher of Science in its own narrow field, contacts research, involves his/her students into it, collaborates with his colleagues, consults with the industry and publishes the findings.

Learning:

We can simply define learning as the process of acquisition of either skills or knowledge or both. The university level education provides both, skills and knowledge, at different levels. Learning is taking place through lecturing by a direct transfer of knowledge from the teacher to the student. This takes place in the lecture or reading a book. The first leaning takes places near a teacher, since ancient times, and this makes the role of the teacher important, justified through the history. Learning, at the professional life, is usually a self-learning or peer supported.

Teaching:

We can simply define teaching as the method that is used to transmit skills and knowledge. The teacher is called to implement the proper and suitable method to transmit the skills and knowledge. It is the teaching method and the instructor’s personality that makes a teacher more or less successful. Teaching takes place mainly in the classroom, and the laboratory but my office is always open for those seeking extra help.

Goals for students:

The product to be delivered, the course material, is described in the university’s Catalogue. When the product (course material, teaching) is of good quality, the customer will be happy, more customers will arrive, and the school will get a good name.

I am not a crowd pleaser. I do not give inflated grades in exchange for good evaluations. I read the evaluations carefully, and I pay special attention to the ones that include comments. I have values, ethics, and goals.

Implementing my Teaching Philosophy

Organization of a class meeting: the Lecture – the Recitation – the Laboratory

Lecture:

I follow few simple principles in organizing my lectures:

1. State Subject and Goals. 

2. Review pertinent material. 

3. Introduce new concept with an example. 

4. Develop formally the topic. 

5. Stimulate questions and ask questions. Discuss the answer. 

6. Relate topic with other areas and practice. 

7. Solve an example. 

8. Point out practical applications. 

9. Assign homework and discuss homework.

It is in the lecture that students come in contact with the new material and where most of the learning takes place. I use modern technological tools like, presentation slides, computer algebra systems (CAS), the Internet, demonstrations, etc. in order to attract the attention of the students, provide demonstrations, and make the learning process more enjoyable. The course, whenever possible, is organized as a living subject that finds applications in our lives.

Individual and teamwork are emphasized. The assignments reflect both realities.

Recitation:

The recitation is a non-obligatory session that I conduct, one hour per week, on a time mutually agreed on by all students, whenever practically possible, and it is possible in most of the cases. The recitation period does not cover any new material.

Laboratory:

The laboratory session helps to clarify everything learned. I organize the laboratory around a problem that the student solves analytically, if possible, simulates using an available simulation program, and prepares an experimental setup to measure the quantities under consideration. At the end, the student compares the three different approaches, analytical, simulation, and experimental, thus having the opportunity to appreciate and become familiar with industry approaches and methods.

The World after Graduation:

It is during the school years and especially during the senior year that the student should be prepared for the transition to the industrial world or to advanced academic studies. The purpose of the university is to provide general and professional education, to form a person, to prepare a useful citizen. The general education shapes the responsible citizen and this is accomplished mainly by the core curriculum courses.

My Future Plans:

Having seen both the academic and industrial world, I decided to return back full time in the academia. My immediate plans included:

Organize a series of courses in my area of expertise.

• Develop the sequence: Lecture – Recitation – Laboratory.
• Involve my students in my research and publish with them.
• Supervise Senior Projects in my area of expertise.
• Serve the world with my technical knowledge, experience and research.
• Serve my department, school, and University in various Committees.
• Serve my department, school, and University in various administrative positions.
• Promote undergraduate and graduate interdisciplinary studies
• Continue my education through Continuous Education courses.

Conclusion:

Teaching is a heuristic process. It approaches the optimum between the boundaries of students, instructor, technology, available resources, subject matter, etc. I realize that there are many more issues to discuss and share. Future un-ended discussions trying to find the “Best” teaching philosophy can be the forum. All of this form my dynamic and ever-evolving teaching philosophy, the world of the Academician, the world of an Engineer, the world of the Professor!!!

• Certificate of Completion in Electronics. Granted by Ferro Tech Electronics Company, South Africa, on 17th April, 2009. Certifies a completion to satisfaction Theoretical and Practical training for the Installation + Maintenance of the Electro-volt Automatic Voltage Stabilizers.
• Certificate of Participation in German Project Development Training Week, Renewable Energy Project Development Programme, under the German Energy Solutions Initiative. Kitwe, Zambia, 12th – 16th March 2018.
• Junior Engineers Technicians and Scientists (JETS) of Zambia First Prize Certificate in the category Senior Quiz at the Western Province Regional Level. July, 1998, Senanga, Zambia.
• Certificate of Participation in German Project Development Training Week, Postgraduate Curriculum Development in Solar Photovoltaic, under the German Energy Solutions Initiative. Kitwe, Copperbelt University, Zambia, 16th – 20th January 2017.
• Certificate of Completion in Electrical & Electronics. Granted by JSC Ruselectronics Company, Russian Federation, on 20th May, 2011. Certifies a completion to satisfaction Practical training for the Installation of MCCB circuit breakers.
• Certificate of Participation in Russian-Germany workshop organized by "ELKOTECH" on Improving Electrical System Reliability with Infrared Thermograph. Moscow, Russian Federation, 10th - 14th September 2012.
• Certificate of Excellence in Digital electronics and electrical machines, after emerging best participant, in joint workshop by Gazprom and RusHydro. Theme: Application of Wireless Power Transmission (WPT) Technology in Smart Homes. Kazan, Russian Federation, 14th - 17th February 2011.
• Certificate of Completion in Power Electronics. Granted by GS Labs Company, Moscow, Russian Federation, on 21st March 2014. Certifies a completion to satisfaction training on Power Electronics for Electric Vehicles (EVs): Advancement in battery technologies, charging infrastructure and power management systems.
• Certificate of Excellence in Workshop Training on Smart Grid Technologies, with theme: Integrating Innovative Grid Technologies in Transforming Electrical Power Distribution, incorporating Advanced Communication and Control Systems. Organized by Schneider Electric Company, Kazan, Russian Federation, 5th - 9th January 2015.
• Certificate of Participation in training workshop organized by Russeti Company, Kazan, Russian Federation, on 10th June 2015. Theme: "Transient Overvoltages in the Electrical Distribution System and Suppression Techniques."

• Enock, Mulenga, Dr. Eng., enock.mulenga@epiroc.com, +46-790-522-529, Power Distributions Engineer – Power Systems Group., Research and Development Department, Epiroc Rock Drills – Orebro – SWEDEN.

• Dickson, Chembe, Dr. Eng., dchembe@unam.na, +264-81-339-1496, The University of Namibia (UNAM), HOD & Lecturer - Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, P.O. Box 3624, Ongwediva, NAMIBIA.

• Kenneth, Maseka, Prof. Dr., kkmaseka@gmail.com, +260-977-807-803, Professor and Dean – School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, The Copperbelt University,P.O. Box 21692, Jambo Drive, Kitwe, ZAMBIA.