USAf change of guard

THE START of 2018 signals changes in the leadership of Universities SA (USAf). The term of office bearers is two years and so we are at the point where there is a change of guard following an election process at the level of the board of directors.

Professor Thandwa Mthembu, vicechancellor and principal at Durban University of Technology, takes over as chairperson of USAf.

A mathematician, he brings with him enormous experience as an academic and in higher education leadership. He represents a strongly-principled approach to leadership. At the end of the election process he declared how honoured he was to be chairperson.

Professor Wim de Villiers, vicechancellor and rector at University of Stellenbosch, takes on the role of vice-chair of the board. A specialist physician and professor of internal medicine, Professor de Villiers is passionate about student success.

The executive committee of USAf comprises: the chairperson, Professor Thandwa Mthembu; the vicechairperson, Professor Wim de Villiers, the chairperson of the Teaching and Learning Strategy Group, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, vice-chancellor at Rhodes University; the chairperson of the Research and Innovation Strategy Group, Professor Cheryl de la Rey, vicechancellor and rector at University of Pretoria; chairperson of the Funding Strategy Group, Dr Max Price, vicechancellor at University of Cape Town; chairperson of the Transformation Strategy Group, Professor Yunus Ballim, vice-chancellor at Sol Plaatje University; the chairperson of the Finance Committee, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, vice-chancellor at University of KwaZulu-Natal; and chief executive Dr Ahmed Bawa.

It would be remiss of me if, on behalf of USAf and the whole higher education sector, I did not thank Professor Adam Habib for his exemplary role as chairperson and his indefatigable energy and drive.

On behalf of the USAf office, the board and the sector more generally we look forward to working collaboratively and collegially with this star-studded team to strengthen the higher education sector so that it can serve society most effectively. Ahmed Cassim Bawa Chief executive, Universities South Africa