Prof PE Lukhele Olorunju

Prof P.E. Lukhele-Olorunju is currently the Director of Research Management at the University of Mpumalanga. She has qualifications in Agricultural sciences; BSc Agriculture 1978 (Swaziland), MSc Plant Breeding 1982 (Nigeria) and PhD Plant Breeding/ Virology 1990 (USA). 

She has worked as a researcher in agricultural research institutions and lectured at three renowned universities (Swaziland, Nigeria and South Africa). As a researcher and educator in Nigeria, she released a number of groundnut varieties for the country and West African region and also graduated a number of international students at BSc, MSc and PhD levels. Other experiences include international consulting and management of international agricultural projects, collaborative research projects with CGIAR Institutions and University of Georgia (USA). Phindile managed three research institutions, as Group Executive, at the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa from 2002 to 2008. In January 2009, Phindile joined the University of Venda, South Africa, as Director of Research and Innovation. In July 2010 she moved to the Africa Institute of South Africa (AISA) as Director of Research and later Interim CEO of AISA 1 September 2012- 31 March 2014. Phindile has served at Institutional Boards/Councils (Africa Institute of South Africa, Bioversity International and University of Mpumalanga). She is an ASI Fellow.