UCT begins a search for the next vice-chancellor

21 December 2023

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has officially begun a search for the next vice-chancellor to lead Africa’s premier university into the future.

The advert for the VC’s role was published online on Tuesday, 19 December 2023, and applications will close on 31 January 2024. The incumbent will succeed the Vice-Chancellor (interim) Emeritus Professor Daya Reddy, who took over the reins early this year.

Chair of Council Mr Norman Arendse (SC) said the university sought to attract the best candidate to fulfill the task of steering UCT towards the continued pursuit of the university’s Vision 2030, which is anchored around excellence, transformation and sustainability.

“We are looking for an astute leader with the requisite expertise and insight to contribute to our vision of being the university of the future. We are keen on getting onboard a leader who will intellectually contribute and help strengthen our position of being the number one university in Africa and who will ensure that UCT continues to contribute towards addressing complex and critical challenges facing our country, our continent and the world at large,” said Arendse.

The process was preceded by a series of consultative engagements, led by Arendse, with the relevant university stakeholders such as Council, the Institutional Forum and Senate.

The university is seeking a vice-chancellor committed to ensuring and promoting academic freedom, transformation, sustainability and success in its core activities of teaching and learning, research, and community engagement. The academic project remains at the heart of UCT’s vision.

The vice-chancellor will be expected to provide strategic leadership within a collegial environment, which has been at the heart of the university’s success.

The selection committee for this role includes the chair of Council; four external Council members; two deans, elected by Senate; and two employment equity representatives, elected by the chair and co-chairs of the Institutional Forum.

Staff representation on the committee include three professors (excluding deans), elected by Senate; two non-professorial members of the academic staff, elected by the academic staff (who are not professors); one professional, administrative and support services (PASS) staff member in payclass 13; one PASS staff member in payclasses 5 to 12; and one PASS staff member in payclasses 1 to 4.

The committee also includes three students (at least one of whom should be a postgraduate student), elected by the SRC; and up to three co-opted members to ensure appropriate balance and diversity, elected by Council.

Arendse added that Council is pursuing the process earnestly and meticulously, giving it the attention it deserves. He said the process would be fair and transparent, adhering to UCT's recruitment policies.

Issued by Elijah Moholola, Spokesperson, Communication and Marketing Department, UCT, 21 December 2023