“Blessed Is Her”: UP Graduate Earns PhD for Research Improving Construction Cost Estimates
- Dr Faith Dowelani graduated with a PhD in Quantity Surveying from the University of Pretoria in September 2026
- Her research used machine learning and historical data from 68 Gauteng projects to tackle a long-standing problem in construction
- Dowelani made history at UP and shared a personal tribute to her mother, who blazed her own trail in architecture
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Source: UGC
Dr Faith Dowelani has made history at the University of Pretoria. The Gauteng-based academic became the first black South African to earn a PhD in Quantity Surveying at UP, graduating during the university’s spring ceremony held at Hatfield Campus from 31 August to 4 September 2026.
Her doctoral research tackled one of the construction industry’s most stubborn problems: getting cost estimates right at the very beginning of a project, before drawings or detailed specifications exist. Quantity surveyors working at this conceptual stage must produce figures based on very little information, which frequently leads to expensive miscalculations.
Machine learning meets construction
To address this, Dowelani developed and tested three supervised machine learning models using historical data from 68 retail and office developments completed in Gauteng between 2013 and 2024. Her study, titled Supervised Machine Learning Prediction Models for Early-Stage Cost Estimation of Building Projects, measured five variables, including land costs, construction costs, financing costs and building type.
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According to a report published by the university, the results were striking. The simplest of the three models, multiple linear regression, delivered the most accurate predictions with a mean absolute percentage error of just 3.52%. The artificial neural network followed at 4.74%, while the decision tree recorded a much higher error of 22.64%.
“There is often an assumption that more advanced or complicated artificial intelligence models would automatically provide the best results,” Dowelani said.
“My research showed that for this type of limited, context-specific data, a simpler model can be more accurate, practical and easier for professionals to interpret and trust.”
A dream rooted in family
The journey was demanding. Dowelani had to teach herself Python and machine learning from scratch, coming from a quantity surveying background with no computer science training. She also lost her father in 2023 while completing her studies.
“My mother and sisters believed in me even when I doubted myself,” she said.
“Their love and encouragement gave me the strength to keep pushing forward, even during the difficult moments.”
Her tribute to her mother, Alufheli, was especially meaningful. Alufheli was the first woman to obtain a diploma in Architecture from the former Technikon Northern Transvaal, now Tshwane University of Technology.
“This achievement is not just mine,” Dowelani said.
“It also belongs to my mother, who sacrificed so much to support my education. Her pioneering spirit has been my greatest inspiration.”
Looking ahead, she aims to become the first female professor in quantity surveying at UP and hopes her story encourages other young black women to pursue careers in fields where they are underrepresented.
Read more about Dr Dowelani’s research on the University of Pretoria’s website.
See the post of Facebook by the university:
Mzansi celebrates Dr Dowelani
People across social media were quick to congratulate the new doctor on the University of Pretoria’s Facebook post:
@Lefelisa Setloboko said:
“With education, dreams are possible. Girls escape abuse and poverty through education.”
@Mashudu Ralutanda wrote:
“Congratulations to you Doc. 💃”
@Thabang Ena-Ena Thabz added:
“Congratulations Doc. What a remarkable achievement 👏👏👏”
@Enock Kwinika said:
“Congratulations, Dr. 🎉”
@Busisiwe Zwane shared:
“Congratulations Doc Dowelani. 🎉🌸🍀👌”
@Ikabura Ketjimabo wrote:
“Blessed is her.”
3 more South Africans who earned PhDs
- Simon Mateus walked across the University of Pretoria graduation stage to receive his Doctor of Laws degree in a ceremony that captivated social media.
- A young woman from a rural KwaZulu-Natal community has made history at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, becoming the institution’s youngest PhD graduate at just 25 years old.
- Vuyo Kamati completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Education at the University of Johannesburg.
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Source: Briefly News
