Prof Khmaies Ouahada

Professor
Name: Khmaies Ouahada
Location: B2 Lab 107 Auckland Park Kingsway Campus
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science Staff, Engineering and the Built Environment  Staff Members

Contact Details:
Tel: 0115593864

Email: kouahada@uj.ac.za

About Prof Khmaies Ouahada

Academic Profile

Professor Khmaies Ouahada is a Full Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science within the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). He served as Head of the Department from December 2018 to 31 December 2021, demonstrating strong leadership and commitment to academic excellence.

In recognition of his dedication to teaching, Professor Ouahada was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching and Learning Excellence Award in 2016. His passion for education is evident in his extensive teaching portfolio, which includes foundational and advanced modules such as Signal Processing 4A, Telecommunications 3B, and Signal Processing 3B. These courses are crucial for the preparation of fourth-year students in their Exit Level Modules. Over the years, he has also taught a range of other courses, with his meticulously prepared lecture notes for Electrotechnics 2A, Electrotechnics 2B, Signals and Systems 3A, Telecommunications 3B, and Signal Processing 3B still being utilized by his successors.

Professor Ouahada is highly regarded for his ethical values, integrity, and innovative approach to problem-solving. His unwavering support for colleagues and students has earned him widespread respect within the department and faculty. He goes beyond traditional teaching by providing extra consultation sessions and printed study materials to support students, particularly those facing financial difficulties. Furthermore, he has authored a textbook to ensure that underprivileged students have access to essential academic resources.

His teaching philosophy is rooted in constructivism and peer collaborative learning, aligning with his broader vision of contributing to South Africa’s economic development by educating highly skilled engineers.

Professor Ouahada is a recognized expert in Telecommunications, with significant contributions in both wireless and wired communication fields. Recently, he was nominated to represent UJ at the South African 5G Forum, highlighting his influence in shaping the future of telecommunications in the country.

His research achievements are reflected in an impressive publication record, comprising over 80 international journal articles and 80 conference papers, primarily within the IEEE community. He has also edited and published four books and contributed a book chapter. His research impact is further underscored by his citation metrics: a Scopus h-index of 18 (with over 1356 citations), a Google Scholar h-index of 23 and i10-index of 47 (with over 2225 citations), and a ResearchGate h-index of 19, with an RG Score of 1290 and more than 69229 reads.

Beyond academia, Professor Ouahada has made significant industry contributions through technical reports, strengthening UJ’s international reputation. One such example is his collaboration with Devolo, a German-based technology company.

In 2025 alone, he has already produced one journal article and three conference papers, with five additional conference papers and three journal articles under review. He serves as Chairman of the Smart Home Lab and co-chairperson and founder of the Centre for Smart Communications Systems.

A dedicated mentor, Professor Ouahada currently supervises three postdoctoral researchers, nine doctoral students, and seven master’s students. He actively fosters international research collaborations and has engaged in multiple overseas visits to strengthen academic partnerships.

Professor Ouahada is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE). He is also a candidate for the Tunisian Syndicate for Engineers (OIT) and is in the process of applying for professional engineering accreditation. These affiliations reflect his standing as a well-established and internationally recognized researcher.

With his exemplary teaching, research, and leadership, Professor Khmaies Ouahada continues to make a profound impact in the fields of electrical and electronic engineering, both locally and globally.

Qualification(s)

DEng, MIng, BScEng

List of publications 

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=edQN5XwAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=13806775600

Research Interests

Professor Khmaies Ouahada’s research expertise spans multiple cutting-edge domains, including Information Theory, Coding Techniques, and Power-Line Communications, with a strong emphasis on Artificial Intelligence-driven solutions. His work also encompasses Visible Light Communications, Smart Home technologies, and the broader applications of Smart Grid and Smart Cities for sustainable and intelligent infrastructure.

Additionally, his research extends to Energy Demand Management and Renewable Energy, contributing to the optimization of energy efficiency and sustainability. His contributions to Wireless Sensor Networks and Reverse Engineering further demonstrate his commitment to advancing communication and embedded systems. Moreover, Professor Ouahada is actively engaged in Engineering Education, focusing on innovative pedagogical methods to enhance the training of future engineers and researchers.

Biography

Professor Khmaies Ouahada is a distinguished academic and researcher at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, where he completed his M. Eng. with distinction and his D. Eng. degrees in 2002 and 2009, respectively. With extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, Professor Ouahada has honed a profound understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of electrical engineering. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the Smart Home Lab in the Electrical Engineering Science Department, where he leads groundbreaking research on smart technologies.

In addition, he is the founder and Co-Chairman of the Centre for Smart Communications Systems at the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg. His leadership in these roles fosters innovation in smart communication technologies, aligning with the university’s commitment to pioneering research and development in the field.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to research, Professor Ouahada was rated as a researcher by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF-C3) in 2013, further underscoring his expertise in his research areas.

A senior member of the IEEE Information Theory and Communications Society, he is also actively involved in the IEEE South Africa Information Theory Society Chapter, contributing to the advancement of information theory and communications. As a senior member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), Professor Ouahada plays an influential role in shaping the future of electrical engineering education and practice in South Africa.

Teaching Interests

Professor Khmaies Ouahada is an esteemed educator with a strong passion for teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students. His commitment to academic excellence is reflected in his design, development, and delivery of several core modules, which span key areas in electrical engineering. These include ETN1B21, ETN2B21, ETN2A11, SST3B11, TES3B21, TEL3B01, and SIG3B01. These modules are strategically divided into three fundamental domains: Electrical Circuits, Telecommunications, and Signal Processing. Through these courses, Professor Ouahada not only imparts in-depth knowledge but also fosters critical thinking and hands-on problem-solving skills in his students, preparing them for future challenges in the rapidly evolving field of electrical engineering.

In 2014, Professor Ouahada expanded his teaching portfolio internationally by designing and delivering a Master’s degree-level course on Information Theory and Coding Techniques at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. This experience highlights his global engagement and recognition as an expert in his field, as well as his dedication to advancing education in specialized areas of electrical engineering and communication systems. Through his diverse teaching contributions, Professor Ouahada continues to inspire the next generation of engineers, equipping them with both the theoretical foundations and practical skills necessary for success in academia and industry.