While other students are still in the process of finalising and wrapping up their SGSP-IWRM studies prior to their graduation set for October this year, Maria Kanyama, who is one of the SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management has defied the odds and stood out as the first incumbent to wind up her Doctoral Programme just right before time. In a show of hard work and resilience as well as academic excellence in her scholarship, Dr. Kanyama demonstrated that where there is a will, surely there is a way.
Her PhD focused on “Developing an anomaly detection model that integrates artificial intelligence and lightweight blockchain to improve the performance and transparency of smart water metering networks”.
The SGSP-IWRM is a three-year study programme hosted by the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in partnership with the German-based International Centre for Water Resources and Global Change (ICWRG).
The programme was launched in 2021, with 13 students enrolled in 2022 from SASSCAL member states: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa. All students are expected to graduate in October 2025. However, Maria Kanyama has stood out as the first to complete her studies ahead of schedule.
The SGSP-IWRM is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) through SASSCAL, the implementing agency in Southern Africa. The programme is supported with 3 Million Euros, which covers full funding for the 13 students, including tuition, accommodation, scientific mobility to Germany, and living stipends for the entire duration of their studies.
In December this year, the study programme of the first cohorts will be coming to an end and SASSCAL is already in the process of finalising the call to advertise for the second cohort, which is expected to kick off the three-year studies by the year 2026.
In the same vein, SASSCAL is in the process of establishing other Graduate study programmes in the rest of the SASSCAL member countries. The Angolan Study programme is expected to start next year in 2026 with a focus on Agriculture and Food Security in line with their Centre of Excellence for Food Security, Agriculture and Land Management. The SASSCAL Graduate Studies Programme in Integrated Water Resource Management, which is hosted in Namibia, is also in line with the SASSCAL Centre for Water Resources Management assigned to Namibia.
In Conversation with Maria Kanyama’s Journey through her Doctoral Study Programme:
Can you briefly share your academic journey leading up to your PhD?
My academic journey has been shaped by the desire for meaningful discovery, purpose, and a deep commitment to solving real-world problems. I began with a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering. In my final year research project, I developed a smart irrigation system, which sparked in me a significant interest in materialising the link between technology and water resource management. My research bias created more curiosity which influenced and laid the foundation for my future research direction.
Though I later completed a Master’s in Electronics and Computer Engineering, and working in the aviation sector as an Air Traffic Electronic Safety Personnel, where the work was more technical and structured. As time went by, l felt that I did want something more than routine maintenance and operations. I wanted to build, to innovate, and to create tools that could respond to the everyday challenges faced by our communities in the region. This reflection is what triggered my desire to transition into Computer Science, where I pursued a PhD focused on applying current technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain to improve water systems. I wanted my research to respond to the realities of data scarcity and infrastructure limitations, especially in Southern Africa. My aim was to explore how emerging technologies could be used not only to detect and prevent water loss, but also to support more transparent, secure, and inclusive water governance.
What was the focus of your PhD research, and why did you choose this particular topic? What are some key findings or outcomes from your research? How do they contribute to your field?
My PhD focused on developing an anomaly detection model that integrates artificial intelligence and lightweight blockchain to improve the performance and transparency of smart water metering networks. I chose this topic because of the persistent challenges related to water loss, data inaccuracy, and system inefficiencies in traditional water metering, particularly in regions like Southern Africa where infrastructure is limited. I wanted to explore how we can leverage current technologies not only in ideal conditions, but also in data-scarce environments and low-resource settings.
Throughout the research, I developed and evaluated an ensemble machine learning model capable of detecting abnormal consumption patterns using real monthly water meter data. I applied LSTM autoencoders for anomaly labeling, data augmentation techniques to expand limited datasets, and class imbalance handling methods to improve model performance. I further introduced IOTA Tangle to enhance data integrity and security, ensuring that the detection system could operate in a trustworthy and tamper-resistant environment.
The results demonstrated that even with minimal infrastructure, we can build intelligent systems capable of detecting anomalies with high accuracy and reducing water loss by up to 30 percent. This research contributes to the advancement of responsible AI in water governance and provides a practical framework for the integration of blockchain in water networks. It resulted in six peer-reviewed publications, including the Physics and Chemistry of the Earth and MDPI Water, and was presented at several international conferences. By applying emerging technologies to real-world challenges, my work bridges the gap between innovation and practical implementation in sustainable water resource management.
How did the funding from SASSCAL support your academic journey and research work?
SASSCAL’s support was transformative. It allowed me to fully dedicate myself to my research without the constant weight of financial stress. Being a full-time student, fully focused on my PhD, was a privilege that many do not get to experience, and for that I am deeply grateful. It made it possible for me to complete my PhD in just three years.
The funding covered far more than tuition and research expenses. It provided medical aid, essential tools such as a laptop, and supported my travel to conferences and stakeholder engagements. It also created an opportunity for me to travel to Germany for the first time through the scientific mobility program, which expanded my academic and cultural horizons. I managed to establish a dedicated office space where I could work consistently and in a structured way. The financial support kept me anchored, even during the most challenging phases of the journey. It was not just funding. It also instilled a sense of belief in achievement, support, and space to grow.
What were some of the challenges you faced during your PhD, and how did you overcome them?
There were several challenges along the way, both technical and personal. I worked with traditional monthly water meter data rather than real-time smart meter feeds, which meant I had to rethink creatively about how to generate meaningful insights. I explored methods like data augmentation and used LSTM autoencoders to label and reconstruct sequences. That process required patience, iteration, and a lot of trial and error.
Beyond the technical hurdles, there were moments of isolation and self-doubt. Like many PhD students, I faced mental fatigue, tight deadlines, and the weight of trying to create something original in a space that is constantly evolving. What kept me grounded was my purpose. I knew this work mattered. I leaned on the support of my mentors, created room in my schedule for reflection and rest, and reminded myself that progress is not always loud. Sometimes it was quiet, slow, and deeply personal but I kept showing up, one step at a time, and eventually the pieces started coming together.
Now that you have completed your PhD, what are your future career plans?
At the moment, I am serving as a CDKN African Early-Career Research Fellow, where I am strengthening my skills in knowledge brokering and learning how to translate scientific research into practical tools that can inform policy and support better governance.
I am currently focused on transforming my PhD findings into policy briefs, toolkits, and applied frameworks that can help decision-makers use artificial intelligence to manage water more effectively, especially in data-scarce and resource-limited settings. I am also planning to pursue a post-doctoral fellowship to further enhance my research skills and expand my work into emerging technologies in environmental systems. In the long run, I hope to join academia where I can teach, supervise, and mentor the next generation of researchers—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds who often face systemic barriers.
In parallel, I am actively applying for grants that support interdisciplinary, impact-driven research and seeking collaboration with institutions and individuals working at the intersection of technology, climate resilience, and public policy. My long-term vision is to contribute to building ethical and inclusive AI ecosystems across Africa, and to support African-led innovation that responds to the continent’s most urgent climate and development challenges.
What message would you like to share with other students who are considering pursuing a PhD?
Pursue it with clarity and purpose. A PhD is not just an academic milestone. It is a journey of growth, discovery, and service. Know why you want to do it and hold onto that reason when the process becomes difficult. It will test your patience, your thinking, and your confidence, but it will also stretch you in ways that are powerful and lasting. You do not need to have it all figured out before you begin. Start where you are and trust that the process will shape you. Your voice matters. Your perspective brings value. And there is space for you in research and in the conversations that shape the future.
Any final words of appreciation or advice to SASSCAL and its stakeholders regarding the importance of investing in research and education?
I am truly grateful to SASSCAL for believing in the kind of potential that is not always obvious on paper but lives in people who carry vision, resilience, and the courage to imagine something different. This was more than just an investment in research. It was an investment in people, in purpose, and in the future of this continent.
I encourage SASSCAL and its stakeholders to continue supporting projects that are rooted in local realities and driven by bold ideas. There is immense talent across Southern Africa. What many young researchers need is the right environment to grow, the freedom to innovate, and the support to lead. When institutions like SASSCAL create that space, they do more than fund research. They shift narratives. They unlock solutions. And they help shape a generation of African scientists who are not only capable of responding to the challenges of our time but are ready to lead with clarity and conviction.
