Zolana Joao Explained

Nationality:	Angola
Education:	D. Eng
Alma Mater:	Tshwane University of Technology, ESIEE Paris, George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science
Occupation:	Program Engineering Manager
Employer:	General Manager at GGPEN

Zolana Joao is an Angolan Program Engineering Manager, space scientist, Engineer, and the first General Manager of the Angolan National Space Program Management Office (GGPEN).^{[1] [2] [3]}

Education

Joao earned a Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology, dual master's degrees in electrical, electronic, and communication engineering from Tshwane and ESIEE Paris, and a Doctor of Engineering (D. Eng) in Management of complex and large-scale projects from George Washington University.^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Career

He served as acting dean, faculty of engineering Methodist University of Angola, a board member of the INACOM, and first general manager the National Space Program Management Office, designing the beginning of the Angolan space program.^{[8] [9] [10]}

For his work in Angolan space initiatives and space diplomacy, Joao was invited to the White House as head of an African Space Agency to be a speaker at the United States–Africa Leaders Summit 2022.^{[11] [12] [13]}

In 2022, Joao oversaw the launch of AngoSat 2, an HTS satellite aiming to bridge the digital divide in Africa. For this, he received the "Space without Borders" medal from Roscosmos.^{[14] [15] [16]}

He led the design and delivery of several remote sensing solutions, and his Tech-Gest solution was awarded in Top 20 excellent projects from the global 100 AI projects for SDG by IRCAI, UNESCO (2022).^{[17] [18]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Dr Zolana Joao . 2023-12-26 . NewSpace Africa Conference 2024 . en-US.
2. https://spacewatch.global/2023/08/space-economy-insights-ep-3-dr-zolana-joao/
3. Web site: In Conversation with Zolana João, General Director of Angolan Space Office | Space in Africa .
4. Web site: Kevin O'Connell Hosts Dr. Zolana Joao on Space Economy Podcast . 2023-12-26 . MIT Media Lab.
5. Web site: Cansat Leader Training Program 4: Zolana Joao . 2023-12-26 . cltp.info.
6. Web site: IEEE Xplore . 2023-12-26 . IEEE.
7. Web site: UNISEC Global > Point of Contact > Angola . 2023-12-26 . www.unisec-global.org.
8. Web site: Dr. Zolana Rui Joao . 2023-12-26 . www.dubaiairshow.aero . en.
9. Web site: Dr. Zolana Joao . 2024-01-03 . World Satellite Business Week - WSBW . en-US.
10. Web site: 2023-09-26 . How Angola is using space technology to meet development goals . 2024-01-03 . RFI . en.
11. Web site: Dr. Zolana Rui Joao . 2023-12-26 . www.dubaiairshow.aero . en.
12. Web site: 2023-12-26 . Zolana João - Less Wires . 2023-12-26 . Menos Fios . en.
13. Web site: Federation . International Astronautical . IAF : Zolana RUI JOAO . 2024-01-03 . www.iafastro.org . en.
14. Book: 10.1007/978-3-031-36747-2_5 . Use of SAR Imagery for Oil Spill Detection and Mapping in Angola . Space Fostering African Societies . Southern Space Studies . 2023 . Lupedia . Luciano . Cachinjumba . Atanilson . Junior . Joao . Lissouba . Alexandra . Tejumola . Taiwo . Joao . Zolana . 61–76 . 978-3-031-36746-5 .
15. News: Angola to Host Eight Events to Celebrate the World Space Week 2022 . Space in Africa . 30 September 2022 .
16. . Joao . Zolana R . 2021 . Road Construction Assessment Model (Rc-Am) to Prevent Contract Overbilling in Angola .
17. Web site: Njoya . Samira . Angola to strengthen internet capability with new satellite Angosat-2 . 2023-12-26 . www.wearetech.africa . fr-fr.
18. Web site: Kevin O'Connell Hosts Dr. Zolana Joao on Space Economy Podcast . 2023-12-26 . MIT Media Lab.