Barry Dwolatzky obtained a BSc(Eng) degree in electrical engineering from Wits University in 1975, and a PhD from Wits in 1979.

Between 1980 and 1989 he worked in the UK as a post-doctoral researcher holding posts at UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology), Imperial College, London and GEC-Marconi Research Centre in Chelmsford.

On returning to Wits in 1989 he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering as a Senior Lecturer. In 2000 he was appointed as a Personal Professor.

On reaching retirement age in 2017 he was appointed by Wits as an Emeritus Professor. While working in the UK in the 1980’s Barry did pioneering work in some of the technology areas that now form the basis of the so-called 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR).

This includes object-oriented (OO) programming and design, digital twins, artificial intelligence and robotics. On returning to Wits in the 1990’s Barry became a passionate promoter of the South African and African ICT sectors.

He founded the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) at Wits in 2005 and founded Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in 2016. He remains the Director of the JCSE.

In 2013 Barry was co-winner (with Mteto Nyati) of the “South African ICT Personality of the Year” Award and in 2016 received an award for “Distinguished Service to the ICT Sector” from the Institute of IT Professionals of South Africa (IITPSA).

In 2016 he was awarded Wits University’s Vice-Chancellor’s “Award for Academic Citizenship”.

Barry is a fellow of the IITPSA and a fellow of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineering (SAIEE). Barry has written extensively in both academic and general publications.

He has been a popular keynote speaker at both local and international conferences. In January 2020 Barry launched a podcast series entitled “Optimising: Leading Africa’s Digital Future”.