Keynote Talks

Sigurd Skogestad

NTNU, Norway

Sigurd Skogestad received his Ph.D. degree from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA. He has been a full professor at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway since 1987 and he was Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering from 1999 to 2009. His research interests include the use of feedback as a tool to reduce uncertainty (including robust control), change the system dynamics (including stabilization), and generally make systems more well-behaved (including self-optimizing control).

Joe Qin

City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Joe Qin is currently Chair Professor, Dean of the School of Data Science, and Director of Hong Kong Institute for Data Science at City University of Hong Kong. Dr. Qin’s research interests include data analytics, machine learning, process monitoring, fault diagnosis, model predictive control, system identification, smart manufacturing, and predictive maintenance

Prof. Ian Craig

University of Pretoria

Ian Craig received the B.Eng. degree in electronic engineering from the University of Pretoria, the S.M. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Ph.D and M.B.A. degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand. He heads the control systems group in the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering at the University of Pretoria. Previously he was part of the Measurement Control Division of Mintek where he was involved in the design, implementation and commercialisation of advanced controllers for the mineral processing industry. His research interests include model-based control and optimisation in the process industries, as well as the modelling and control of infectious diseases.

Michael Cantoni

University of Melbourne, Australia

Michael Cantoni received the Ph.D. degree from The University of Cambridge, and the B.E. (Hons. I) and B.Sc. degrees from The University of Western Australia. He is currently a professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. His research interests include mathematical systems theory, robust and optimal control, and water/power network applications.

Robert Bowyer

Technical Director, Flylogix, UK

Robert has a DPhil in Control Engineering from the University of Oxford and a B.Sc (Eng) in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Cape Town. He is responsible for ensuring that the engineering design and solutions at Flylogix are able to deliver low-cost unmanned air services that are able to operate globally. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the IET.

Ashina Buddu

Head of Digital: Anglo American Platinum

Ashina holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in in Chemical Engineering from the Durban Institute of Technology and also holds a Master in Business Administration for the Gordon Institute of Business Science. She is responsible for the digital transformation of the Platinum business unit at Anglo American. Her background is in processing, having worked in various positions throughout the Platinum business.