Akinola Ikudayisi is an Associate Professor and Head in the department of Civil Engineering at Walter Sisulu University (WSU). He obtained a Doctor of Engineering degree (DEng) in Civil Engineering from Durban University of Technology (DUT) in February 2017. He is an expert in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. His research area includes hydrological modeling and simulations, evolutionary algorithms, artificial intelligence, hydrology, agricultural water management and irrigation engineering. Ikudayisi has experience in computer modelling of agricultural, water and environmental systems, which is a means of providing solutions to problems associated with complex and non-linear water resources problems. He is also working on the possible ways of mitigating the effect of climate change in agricultural water management. Currently, he is developing data - driven models to estimate real – time irrigation water scheduling to crops at farm level. The aim of this research work is to mathematically model irrigation of crops and also optimize irrigation water release in different irrigation schemes.
Ikudayisi possess an excellent research competence with strong attention to details leading to a structured, logical approach to experimental design and enthusiasm for new concepts. He has also provided leadership to young researchers within his research areas and helped them develop the required skills needed on their research quest. His positive impact on students has been greatly valued. Ikudayisi have demonstrated enormous ability to contribute to South Africa capacity development in the areas of his research. He has published articles in both international and local journals in his field of studies, and also have conference papers as well. Ikudayisi is reviewer in some journal such as for Water Resources Management (Springer), Natural Resource Modeling; African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development; and Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems. He is member of some international professional organizations such as Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), International Association of Engineers (IAENG), Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers (NICE), International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) and South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE).
