PREVIOUS WOR EXPERIENCE

After gaining one year of experience in the electronics industry, I secured a one-year contract position as a lecturer at Ikhala TVET College in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. Thanks to my advanced knowledge in Electronics, the contract was extended to a permanent position, and I remained at the college for the next 14 years. In 2020, I transitioned to the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein, joining the Electrical Engineering department. At CUT, my teaching focused on programming languages, particularly AI algorithms and Neural Networks. Following the successful supervision of a Master's student at CUT, I accepted an offer from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and began my tenure in September 2023 in the Computer Science department, where I currently serve as a senior lecturer. At UNISA, I am supervising five PhD students in the Computer Science department and one in the Electrical Engineering department. Additionally, I am leading efforts in establishing an AI lab, a project overseen by Dr. Mampilo Phahlane, the School of Computing's director.

ABOUT MYSELF
I'm skilled in Python coding, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing. My research has been published in top AI journals by MDPI, and I've presented at IEEE conferences worldwide. I've collaborated with respected colleagues from South African universities and I'm excited to work on more ML and NLP projects together.

Cutting-edge Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing Research Group

The Cutting-edge Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing research group is based in the Center for Augmented Intelligence and Data Science (CAIDS). Led by Dr. Sibiya, the group is dedicated to advancing research in Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and AI Agents. Their work explores innovative approaches at the intersection of data science and intelligent systems, contributing to both theoretical foundations and practical applications.

Dr. Sibiya is a recognized leader in the field and serves as an NVIDIA Ambassador. He is also a certified NVIDIA Instructor for the short specialization course titled "Building LLM Applications with Prompt Engineering". Through this course, Dr. Sibiya equips learners with essential skills to design, build, and optimize large language model applications using state-of-the-art prompt engineering techniques

RESEARCH INTEREST

My research focuses on the application of machine learning, AI algorithms, and natural language processing. With an undergraduate background in electronics, I also specialize in implementing AI on embedded platforms, including NVIDIA boards (particularly experienced with Jetson Nano), Raspberry Pi boards (proficient with Pi 3), and Arduino boards (versed in various models). AI age are my latest interest as they are the new era of AI

Journal publications

Mehdi Gheisari; Hamid Tahaei; Christian Fernández-Campusan; Mazhar Malik; Mnkandla, E; Sibiya, M (2025)
A Flexible Software-Defined Networking-Based Privacy-Preserving Method for Internet of Things-Based Smart City Environment Based on the Neighbors Situation
IEE Xplore
pp 27 - 36
View/download link: 10.1109/MC.2024.3506700

Phorah, KE; Mbuyi Sumbwanyambe; Sibiya, M (2025)
The Usage and Benefits of Jetson Nano for Deployment of Machine Learning Algorithms for Water Potability Prediction
International Journal of Environmental Sciences
(11) 20
pp 2318-2329
View/download link: https://doi.org/10.64252/xyqmmd43

Kgopa, AT; Sibiya, M; Sumbwanyambe, M; Monchusi, BB (2025)
Robotic Process Automation Readiness Barriers and Enablers in South Africa’s Energy Supply Chain
Journal of Information Systems and Informatics
(7) 4
pp 4141–4160
View/download link: https://journal-isi.org/index.php/isi/article/view/1300/683

Sibiya, M (2024)
Comparative Analysis of ChatGPT-Generated Code and Kaggle Champion Performance in Water Potability Prediction: A Few-Shot Learning prompts Approach
Nanotechnology perceptions
(20) 11
pp 13
View/download link: https://doi.org/10.62441/nano-ntp.v20iS11.1944

Sibiya, M (2024)
Efficient Text Extraction Methodologies for Sentiment Analysis: Utilizing University of South Africa Students’ Email Communications as a Case Study
International Journal of Communication Networks and Information Security
(16) 1
pp 7
View/download link: https://www.ijcnis.org/index.php/ijcnis/article/view/7047

Sibiya, M (2024)
State-of-the-Art in 1D Convolutional Neural Networks: A Survey
IEEE Access
(12)
pp 144082 - 144105
View/download link: 10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3433513

Phorah, KE; Sumbwanyambe; Sibiya, M (2024)
Systematic Literature Review on Data Preprocessing for Improved Water Potability Prediction: A Study of Data Cleaning, Feature Engineering, and Dimensionality Reduction Techniques
Nanotechnology perceptions
(20)
View/download link: https://doi.org/10.62441/nano-ntp.v20iS11.1945

Phorah, KE; Sibiya, M; Sumbwanyambe (2024)
Prompt Design through ChatGPT’s Zero-Shot Learning Prompts: A Case of Cost-Sensitive Learning on a Water Potability Dataset
MPI-Informatics
(11) 2
pp 27
View/download link: https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics11020027

Koyana.Ntombikayise; Elisha D. Markus; Sibiya, M; Adnan M. Abu-Mahfouz (2024)
Comparison between machine learning techniques for early air-pollution detection: A case of Bojanala Platinum District Municipality (BPDM), South Africa
International Journal of Environmental Science and Development
(15) 3
pp 157-168
View/download link: 10.18178/ijesd.2024.15.3.1481

Sibiya, M; Mbuyu Sumbwanyambe (2021)
Automatic Fuzzy Logic-Based Maize Common Rust Disease Severity Predictions with Thresholding and Deep Learning
Pathogens
(10) 2
pp 205-219
View/download link: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering1020015

Lwando Nkuzo; Sibiya, M; Markus Elisha (2021)
A Comprehensive Analysis of Real-Time Car Safety Belt Detection Using the YOLOv7 Algorithm
Algorithms
(16) 9
pp 400
View/download link: https://doi.org/10.3390/a16090400

Sibiya, M; Mbuyu Sumbwanyambe (2019)
A Computational Procedure for the Recognition and Classification of Maize Leaf Diseases Out of Healthy Leaves Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Agri Engineering
(1) 1
pp 119-131
View/download link: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering1010009

Sibiya, M; Mbuyu Sumbwanyambe (2019)
An Algorithm for Severity Estimation of Plant Leaf Diseases by the Use of Colour Threshold Image Segmentation and Fuzzy Logic Inference: A Proposed Algorithm to Update a “Leaf Doctor” Application
Agri Engineering
(1) 2
pp 205-219
View/download link: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering1020015

Conference proceedings

Sibiya, M; Excellence Mutetwa Kuyumani; Ayokunle Olalekan Ige (2025)
Enhancing Power Quality in Smart Grids Through the Application of Artificial Intelligence: A Comprehensive Analysis and Case Studies
International Conference on Information and Computer Technologies (ICICT)
Hawaii-Hilo, HI, USA
IEEE Xplore
pp 397 - 404
View/download link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11058505

Lwando Nkuzo; Sibiya, M; Markus Elisha (2023)
Computer Vision-based Applications in Modern Cars for safety purposes: A Systematic Literature Review
2023 Conference on Information Communication Technology and Society (ICTAS)
Durban,South Africa
IEEE
View/download link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10082722

Sibiya, M (2023)
Pattern Matching in Python: Expanding the Horizons of Engineering Applications
2023: International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and its Applications Proceedings
Icarti
View/download link: https://doi.org/10.59200/ICARTI.2023.011

Sibiya, M; Sithembile Nkosi; Sifiso Xulu (2022)
Optimised Detection of Anredera Cordifolia (Madeira Vine) using a Mask-RCNN and Anredera Cordifolia’s prominent features as object classes
2022 3rd International Conference on Next Generation Computing Applications (NextComp)
Flic-en-Flac, Mauritius
IEEE
View/download link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9932192

Sibiya, M; Elisha Markus (2022)
A Bridge to Machine Learning for Zero Computer Science Community: A Machine Learning Path with Linear Regression
2022: International Conference on Intelligent and Innovative Computing Applications
Icarti
View/download link: https://doi.org/10.59200/ICONIC.2022.005

Sibiya, M; Bernardus Bothma (2021)
Development of a Raspberry Pi Based Rain Predictor for Smart Retractable Roof Systems using Convolutional Neural Networks: A Study Based on Daylight Conditions
2021 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD)
Durban, South Africa
IEEE
View/download link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9932192

Sibiya, M; Mbuyu Sumbwanyambe (2020)
PH sensor using Fuzzy Logic on Arduino for the monitoring and control of acidity or alkalinity in reservoir's irrigation water
2020 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD)
IEEE
View/download link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9183824

Sibiya, M; Mbuyu Sumbwanyambe (2019)
An Embedded Fuzzy Logic Microcontroller For Plant Condition Monitoring: A Wireless Sensor Network Odyssey
2019 Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference/Robotics and Mechatronics/Pattern Recognition Association of South Africa (SAUPEC/RobMech/PRASA)
Bloemfontein, South Africa
IEEE
View/download link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8704748

Sibiya, M; Mbuyu Sumbwanyambe (2019)
Controlling of Microclimatic Parameters of a Greenhouse by using Fuzzy Logic and Wireless Sensor Networks
2019 International Conference on Advances in Big Data, Computing and Data Communication Systems (icABCD)
IEEE
View/download link: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8850999