WHO IS HABIB?
WHO IS HABIB?
Habib Noorbhai is a Professor in Health & Sports Science, a Visiting Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a global speaker, innovator, content creator and author.
Habib holds degrees in sport psychology, sports science and Biokinetics (equivalent of Exercise Physiology), as well as a Ph.D. in Exercise Science from the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Professionally trained as a sports scientist and biokineticist, Habib worked in private practice with athletes and patients before transitioning into academia and innovation. His interdisciplinary research spans cricket science, exercise physiology and health technologies, with a growing focus on artificial intelligence (AI), immersive technologies (XR) and movement optimisation. He has developed several innovations in sports science and health education.
Habib has supervised candidates from undergraduate to postdoctoral levels, published over 65 peer-reviewed papers and presented at more than 40 national and 20 international events (including the United Nations, UNESCO and BRICS).
Habib remains committed to using data, science and technology to drive impact in sports and health.
His newly launched YouTube Channel and weekly newsletter, A4 Digest, focuses on AI, Athletes, Academia and Altruism.
Selected accolades:
Senior Scientist Award, Biokinetics Association of South Africa (BASA) (2025).
Scholarly contributions has led to nominations for various awards in 2022 and 2024, including the HSRC-USAf and the NSTF-South32 “Science Oscars” in Communication.
Fulbright Research Scholar at MIT (2024).
Winner of the Science & Innovation Award, for Forty Under-40 South Africa (2023).
Distinguished Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teacher Excellence (University of Johannesburg) (2021).
Golden Key International Honorary Member at UCT (2018).
Winner of Mr. South Africa (2017).
PROFESSORIAL INAUGURATION LECTURE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG (APRIL, 2023)