Wits turned 100 in 2022. Learn more here.
|
|
|
It is with heavy hearts that we write this newsletter. On 16 May, the Wits community lost a giant - Professor Barry Dwolatzky, the "Grand Geek" and Innovation Guru. He is remembered for his brilliant mind, his sense of integrity and purpose, and his kind and loving heart. We dedicate this newsletter to him.
|
|
|
|
WITS MOURNS THE PASSING OF PROF BARRY- SA'S 'GRAND GEEK'
|
|
|
South Africa has lost an innovator, a strategist, a humanitarian, and a much-loved Professor who dedicated over 50 years of his life to Wits.
It is with great sadness that the University of the Witwatersrand announces the passing of Professor Barry Dwolatzky – an innovator, a strategist, a humanitarian, and a loyal Witsie who dedicated over 50 years of his life to Wits. His passing is a great loss to the Wits community where he touched the lives of students, staff, researchers, academics, industry partners, innovators, entrepreneurs and friends in so many ways. In addition to his many achievements and awards, he will be remembered for his humility and humanity, and his ability to make every person with whom he came into contact, feel special.
We extend our condolences to his family and friends, colleagues and students around the world, and those who knew him well. The Wits Flag above the Great Hall flew at half-mast [on 17 May] in honour of Professor Dwolatzky. May he rest in peace, knowing that his legacy will live on for generations to come.
Read the rest of the official announcement here.
|
|
An outpouring of grief has followed the passing of Professor Barry Dwolatzky. The Wits Fund is setting up a campaign to help channel donations - made in Prof Barry's name and memory - towards Wits University, a place to which he dedicated 50 years of his life.
If you would like to donate, please click on the link below to reach the Wits Fund giving page. If you would like to discuss a bespoke gift in Prof Barry's name, please contact us at nooshin.erfani-ghadimi@wits.ac.za
|
|
|
|
Professor Barry Dwolatzky was known as the ‘Grand Geek’ of digital innovation in South Africa.
Most recently he served as the Director of Innovation Strategy in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, where he used his experience and knowledge and his network of local and international collaborations to drive the strategy that supports research, innovation and entrepreneurship at Wits. He was instrumental in conceptualizing, developing and imagining the Wits Innovation Centre which was launched in April this year.
Dwolatzky was also an Emeritus Professor in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. He was the Founder and the Director of the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) and the Founder of the Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the University’s digital innovation hub located in Braamfontein.
His primary focus over the past 30 years has been the growth and development of the South African software engineering sector. In 2005, he was the major driver in setting up the JCSE at Wits. In 2013, he spearheaded the establishment of a major digital innovation hub in Braamfontein which became the Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. Tshimologong has attracted significant support from government and a range of major local and international companies, including the IBM Research Laboratory.
|
|
|
|
Selection of Public Tributes for Prof. Barry
|
|
From LinkedIn:
Nyaladzi Mpofu:I am deeply saddened by the passing of Prof Barry Dwolatzky a remarkable Human Being and esteemed leader in our society. His presence will be sorely missed, as he was not only a source of knowledge and inspiration for students but also a compassionate mentor to many. May Prof Barry Dwolatzky legacy continue to resonate through the lives he touched, and may his family, relatives and friends find solace in the cherished memories of his remarkable contributions.
Thomas Evje: Such sad news, an amazing human and a most impactful technologist that was serving South Africa for so many years! The South African Technology community has lost a Giant among us, a kind hearted, unselfish and authentic promotor of the amazing potential and talent we have in South Africa!! Thank you Prof Barry for the impact you have had on my life and the conversations we had and we will bring our ideas to fruition for the benefit of South Africa!!
Rocky Medalie: This is such incredibly sad news. Thank you Prof Barry for the enormous impact you had on my life and thankful for the way you pioneered and shaped Software Engineering for all of South Africa. I am so grateful to have met you and been mentored by you! You will be very sorely missed but leave a tremendous legacy behind in so many ways! We have lost someone very special today.
Jane Levy: Truly, this hit hard. Barry was a gentle, kind and deeply principled person, and I enjoyed & learned from every interaction that I had with him. And I noticed that everyone who met Barry was touched by him. We will miss him and we will never forget him.
|
|
|
|
In his memoir, Coded History – A life of new beginnings, lauded as ‘revealing, inspirational and vulnerable’, Dwolatzky captured his extraordinary 'life of new beginnings'.
He shared stories of his life as an underground software engineer in the struggle against Apartheid, “the mission” that brought him back to South Africa from the UK where he lived in self-exile in the ‘80s, and how, on the eve of democracy, he embarked to help build the country’s IT industry.
In his memoir he also shared his love and connection with Wits University which spans more than 50 years, starting as a student in electrical engineering in the early 70s where he graduated with a BSc(Eng) degree and later his PhD, and where he has since devoted much of his time to prepare young people for the future. “I’ve discovered that idealism and naivety coupled with bold dreams and determination can get one very far,” he wrote in the book.
An inspiration to generations of software engineers who have had the privileged to be taught and mentored by ‘Prof. Barry’, as he was affectionately known, Dwolatzky hoped that a new generation will read the book and rather than seeing him in the book, make connections to their own world.
Read more here.
|
|
The University of the Witwatersrand Fund, Inc. is a corporation under the Internal Revenue Code, section 501 (c) (3). Donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. The Wits Fund IRS EIN number is: 13-3902012.
Vision
To ensure that Wits University remains one of Africa’s – and the world’s –
pre-eminent research-intensive educational institutions, with top academic standards, committed faculty, and supportive alumni.
|
|
|
|
Wits Fund is proud to present two powerhouse academics to discuss “The power of Universities in Society - The role of Wits in South Africa”. South African society continues to evolve as it deals with the realities of immigration, development, and global issues. What role do universities play in forming, informing and transforming society?
Bring your thoughts and be part of the conversation with Prof. Teboho Moja and Prof. Hazel Sive, both Witsies, both taking leading roles in American universities – and both actively engaged in strengthening Wits community in the US as part of the Wits Fund board.
Dr.. Hazel Sive is Dean of the College of Science, and Professor of Biology at Northeastern University, Boston. She is a research pioneer, award-winning educator and innovator in the higher education space.
Prior to June 2020, she was Professor of Biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and Associate Member of the Broad Institute. A native of South Africa, she received the B.Sc. in Chemistry and Zoology, from University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and the Ph.D. from Rockefeller University, New York.
Dr.. Teboho Moja is a professor of higher education at New York University (NYU) and has been a policy analyst with a focus on the South African higher education system.
The late Nelson Mandela appointed her Executive Director and Commissioner to the National Commission on Higher Education, and she has served as Special Advisor to two Ministers of Education in South Africa. In addition, Teboho was a board member of the International Institute of Education Planning (IIEP) in Paris and was a founding member and President of the Union of Democratic University Staff Associations (UDUSA).
The Zoom webinar will be hosted by Mr. Indran Naick a senior technical leader at IBM and a member of the Wits Fund board.
DATE: June 6th, 7pm ET/4pm PT
RSVP to nooshin.erfani-ghadimi@wits.ac.za
|
|
|
Copyright © Wits Fund Inc., 2023
The University of the Witwatersrand Fund, Inc.
PO Box 7101, New York, NY 10150
|
|
|
|
|
