The University of Cape Town Council has announced that Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng has been appointed as the new vice-chancellor with effect from July 1.
Phakeng‚ who is currently the deputy vice-chancellor (DVC): Research and Internationalisation‚ will take over the reins from Dr Max Price‚ who has been UCT’s vice-chancellor since 2008.
UCT Council chair Sipho Pityana said the council was confident that in Phakeng it had found a suitable and capable candidate who would provide academic‚ strategic‚ transformational and ethical leadership and vision for the institution.
“We trust her to lead and manage the institution in pursuing its 2016-2020 strategic plan‚ which she was involved in developing.”
Pityana added that Phakeng’s clear understanding of UCT as an African university‚ its developmental role‚ its commitment to deepen its links within the continent‚ internationalism‚ and pioneering‚ as well as the need to advance divergent critical knowledge systems made her a compelling choice as vice-chancellor.
Commenting on her appointment‚ Phakeng said: “I am honoured to have been afforded an opportunity to lead one of the best institutions on the continent. I am particularly humbled by the overwhelming support that I have received within the university community. I know that the task that lies ahead is a mammoth one and I do not underestimate its complexities. In every challenge we face there are also opportunities. I also know that alongside all the members of the campus community‚ we will meet the challenges and reach even higher milestones as an institution.
“I will work tirelessly to enhance our cutting-edge research‚ which speaks directly to the challenges of our country‚ region‚ continent and the world. We will grow and develop talented academics‚ other staff and students from South Africa‚ elsewhere on the continent and internationally. I wish UCT to become a phenomenal international experience for our students‚ an experience that is profoundly embedded in academic excellence and that is uniquely African – an experience positively unforgettable. We will rethink curricula and make sure we broaden our pursuit of excellence in research‚ teaching and learning and in all our activities. There is a lot to do and I look forward to beginning this task.”
Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng announced as new vice-chancellor of UCT
Phakeng‚ who is currently the deputy vice-chancellor (DVC): Research and Internationalisation‚ will take over the reins from Dr Max Price‚ who has been UCT’s vice-chancellor since 2008.
UCT Council chair Sipho Pityana said the council was confident that in Phakeng it had found a suitable and capable candidate who would provide academic‚ strategic‚ transformational and ethical leadership and vision for the institution.
“We trust her to lead and manage the institution in pursuing its 2016-2020 strategic plan‚ which she was involved in developing.”
Pityana added that Phakeng’s clear understanding of UCT as an African university‚ its developmental role‚ its commitment to deepen its links within the continent‚ internationalism‚ and pioneering‚ as well as the need to advance divergent critical knowledge systems made her a compelling choice as vice-chancellor.
Commenting on her appointment‚ Phakeng said: “I am honoured to have been afforded an opportunity to lead one of the best institutions on the continent. I am particularly humbled by the overwhelming support that I have received within the university community. I know that the task that lies ahead is a mammoth one and I do not underestimate its complexities. In every challenge we face there are also opportunities. I also know that alongside all the members of the campus community‚ we will meet the challenges and reach even higher milestones as an institution.
“I will work tirelessly to enhance our cutting-edge research‚ which speaks directly to the challenges of our country‚ region‚ continent and the world. We will grow and develop talented academics‚ other staff and students from South Africa‚ elsewhere on the continent and internationally. I wish UCT to become a phenomenal international experience for our students‚ an experience that is profoundly embedded in academic excellence and that is uniquely African – an experience positively unforgettable. We will rethink curricula and make sure we broaden our pursuit of excellence in research‚ teaching and learning and in all our activities. There is a lot to do and I look forward to beginning this task.”
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