Professor Rob Midgley is the new vice-chancellor of Walter Sisulu University (WSU).
This after a political stalemate over a preferred candidate last year led to a second round of advertising and interviews.
Midgley will take over the reins from interim vice-chancellor Professor Khaya Mfenyana on April 1 following his official appointment on Tuesday.
The Daily Dispatch understands that Mfenyana is retiring.
Midgley was among three candidates short-listed for the post. However, only two were interviewed following the withdrawal of Professor Peter Dzvimbo from the University of Technology.
Only Midgley and University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Professor John Mubangizi were interviewed.
This was the second round of interviews for the position after the university was forced to re-advertise the post last year following a political deadlock in the selection committee made up of students, staff and council members.
At the time, parties failed to choose a preferred candidate.
Midgley’s appointment followed the two-part interview process held on January 29.
During the interview process, candidates were allocated 20 minutes to deliver their presentations at Buffalo City campus in Potsdam.
Students, staff and community members were then able to question the candidates.
The interviews were screened across other campuses in Mthatha, Komani and Butterworth.
This was followed by a formal interview process conducted by the VC selection panel, which was headed by WSU council chairwoman, Judge Nambitha Dambuza.
Midgley is a Rhodes University professor emeritus, an advocate, and a member of the Academy of Science of SA.
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in commerce and law (BCom LLB) at Rhodes University and a doctorate (PhD) from the University of Cape Town.
Tukwayo said Midgley has served on most academic and management committees at faculty, senate and council level at three different universities.
“He has experience as a deputy vice-chancellor (DVC) at two universities, providing insights into university strategic development and management,” she said.
WSU student representative council president Buhle Noah said Midgley impressed students.
Noah said Midgley had impressive plans on improving teaching and learning by introducing new programmes.
Attempts to get comment from the labour unions and the Department of Higher Education and Training were unsuccessful.
Midgley appointed as new WSU VC
This after a political stalemate over a preferred candidate last year led to a second round of advertising and interviews.
Midgley will take over the reins from interim vice-chancellor Professor Khaya Mfenyana on April 1 following his official appointment on Tuesday.
The Daily Dispatch understands that Mfenyana is retiring.
Midgley was among three candidates short-listed for the post. However, only two were interviewed following the withdrawal of Professor Peter Dzvimbo from the University of Technology.
Only Midgley and University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Professor John Mubangizi were interviewed.
This was the second round of interviews for the position after the university was forced to re-advertise the post last year following a political deadlock in the selection committee made up of students, staff and council members.
At the time, parties failed to choose a preferred candidate.
Midgley’s appointment followed the two-part interview process held on January 29.
During the interview process, candidates were allocated 20 minutes to deliver their presentations at Buffalo City campus in Potsdam.
Students, staff and community members were then able to question the candidates.
The interviews were screened across other campuses in Mthatha, Komani and Butterworth.
This was followed by a formal interview process conducted by the VC selection panel, which was headed by WSU council chairwoman, Judge Nambitha Dambuza.
Midgley is a Rhodes University professor emeritus, an advocate, and a member of the Academy of Science of SA.
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in commerce and law (BCom LLB) at Rhodes University and a doctorate (PhD) from the University of Cape Town.
Tukwayo said Midgley has served on most academic and management committees at faculty, senate and council level at three different universities.
“He has experience as a deputy vice-chancellor (DVC) at two universities, providing insights into university strategic development and management,” she said.
WSU student representative council president Buhle Noah said Midgley impressed students.
Noah said Midgley had impressive plans on improving teaching and learning by introducing new programmes.
Attempts to get comment from the labour unions and the Department of Higher Education and Training were unsuccessful.
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