PREng. Dr. Witness Shaibu Kuotcha is a distinguished Professional Civil Engineer registered with the Malawi Engineering Institution (MEI). He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow; a Master of Science in Urban Infrastructure Engineering and Management from IHE Delft, Netherlands; and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Malawi.

Dr. Kuotcha brings a wealth of experience in academic leadership, professional practice, and public service. He currently serves as the Executive Dean of the School of Built Environment. Prior to this appointment, he held several senior positions within the university, including Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering (2019–2022), Head of the Department of Civil Engineering (2005–2008), and Head of the Department of Mining Engineering (2014–2018). Earlier in his career, he also served as Regional Controller of Works in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works (1997–1999).

In addition to his university leadership roles, Dr. Kuotcha has contributed significantly to the governance and development of Malawi’s construction and infrastructure sectors. He served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) from 2018 to 2020, and he is currently a member of the Projects and Policy Review Committee of the National Planning Commission, a position he has held since 2020.

Dr. Kuotcha’s research and professional interests lie in the areas of transport systems and land use planning, traffic management, and transport policy. He has published several papers in reputable international journals and conference proceedings. Over the course of his career, he has also undertaken numerous consultancy assignments in civil engineering, contributing to the design, planning, and management of key infrastructure projects in Malawi and beyond.