Professor Dr. Khumbulani Mpofu is the Vice Chancellor of Solusi University, Zimbabwe. He is also Vice Chair of the International Union of Railways. He is the founder and board member of the Rail Manufacturing Center for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator. He was previously Professor of Industrial Engineering at Tshwane University of Technology, where he also served as Research Chair in Future Transport Manufacturing Technologies and Gibela Research Chair in Manufacturing and Skills Development.

Professor Mpofu is a global leader in industrial engineering with expertise in advanced manufacturing, robotics, mechatronics, and artificial intelligence applications. He has been instrumental in fostering deliberate industry driven engagements with academia and is committed to driving innovation and sustainable development in Africa's knowledge economy, engineering and education sectors.