The Faculty of Engineering at the North-West University (NWU) is excited to announce that a very special woman is joining the faculty’s ranks.

Dr Fortunate Moyo, a metallurgist, will ply her trade at the School of Mechanical Engineering, where her ample experience and abundance of expertise is sure to make an impact.

“I look forward to contributing to the NWU through teaching and research, and in turn to learn and grow. It is rather peculiar for a metallurgist to join a mechanical engineering school. However, the performance of materials is intricately linked to their microstructure and response to applied stresses. I hope the different perception I have of materials will prepare mechanical engineers who are more cognisant with the microstructure-performance relationships in materials and how they may be optimised,” Moyo explains.

“I am also interested in understanding materials from the perception of mechanical engineers, as I believe that will hone my own insight into materials and materials behaviour.”

In addition, Moyo is also looking forward to collaborating with the School of Chemical and Mineral Engineering. “As a metallurgist, I am naturally drawn to metallurgical processes and related activities.”

Moyo began her career as a junior metallurgist at the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe in 2006. However, her passion for research saw her leave the industrial sector and enrol for a master’s degree at Wits. Upon completion of the degree, a stint at the University of Johannesburg and at the Midlands State University in Zimbabwe followed.

Moyo’s speciality is corrosion prevention and protection by using surface engineering. She is particularly interested in the corrosion of ferrous alloys, and also in welding.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Moyo spends her free time reading and writing, and has just written a children’s short story.

Dr Fortunate Moyo