Dr. Stanley Mpofu: Driving Innovation at the Upcoming 35th Digital Transformation Summit

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Dr. Stanley Mpofu, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University), is among the esteemed technology leaders set to share their insights at the highly anticipated 35th edition of the Digital Transformation Summit.

Renowned for his trailblazing work in digital education, he has set a new benchmark for higher learning institutions and continues to make waves in the ICT sector.

A Visionary Leader in ICT

Dr. Mpofu’s extensive career in information technology spans nearly three decades, positioning him as a key figure in ICT leadership. Since joining Wits University as CIO in 2017, he has played an instrumental role in reshaping its digital infrastructure.

Prior to this, he held senior roles at Eskom, where he led critical IT initiatives. His academic expertise, backed by a PhD in Strategy and Leadership from Wits, further reinforces his authority in digital transformation.

Pioneering Change in Higher Education

Under his leadership, Wits has adopted a cloud-first strategy, ensuring the institution remains at the forefront of digital learning.

One of his standout initiatives is the migration of the Sakai Learning Management System to AWS Cloud, enhancing the university’s ability to provide seamless education. His work in cybersecurity, mobile, and cloud technologies has been pivotal in driving innovation within academic institutions.

A Decorated Industry Leader

Dr. Mpofu’s contributions have earned him multiple industry accolades. In 2021, he received the Visionary Leadership award from the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) for transforming Wits’ ICT framework.

His introduction of the “smart classroom” concept played a critical role in enabling a swift transition to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His impact continued into 2024, where he was named CIO of the Year at the prestigious CIO Awards. His leadership in streamlining thesis submissions, integrating workplace management systems, and advancing hybrid learning technology earned him further recognition.

Additionally, he was honored at the ITWeb Brainstorm CIO Banquet for a decade of dedicated service in the public sector.

Shaping the Future of Digital Learning

Beyond Wits, Dr. Mpofu serves as the Chair of the Association of South African University Directors of Information Technology (ASAUDIT), representing CIOs from 26 government universities.

He is also a board member of the Tertiary Education & Research Network of South Africa (TENET) and contributed to the Ministerial Task Team for Higher Education during the country’s COVID-19 response.

Join the Conversation at the 35th Digital Transformation Summit

At the upcoming summit, Dr. Mpofu will share his expertise on harnessing technology to drive educational excellence. As institutions worldwide seek to embrace digital transformation, his insights will offer invaluable guidance on navigating the future of higher education.