Cape Town -
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has appointed Professor Tyrone Pretorius as its new vice-chancellor.
He was one of three candidates who presented their vision for the job in line with the university’s own Vision 2025 last week.
Born in the Eastern Cape, Pretorius matriculated at Carlton Van Heerden High School in Upington.
“I am humbled by the opportunity and hope my experience in the nine years since leaving UWC at a major international university and now at a large research-intensive university will enable me to make a significant contribution to the further development of UWC,” he said.
Pretorius holds the position of president of University Sports SA (the sports federation of universities) and chair of the Board University Sports Company – the commercial entity for University Sports.
He is the vice-principal at the University of Pretoria and the former pro vice-chancellor and president of Monash University – SA.
Pretorius said building on UWC’s strong foundation, his focus would be to explore and identify opportunities and potential for “strengthening research and innovation, teaching and learning, and engagement so as to enhance the international stature of the university”.
“The globalised context of higher education means that excellence and quality in research and education will increasingly be judged in an international context.
“Equally important is to focus on enhancing the sense of community and identity at UWC and I hope I can play a role in strengthening staff and student belief in UWC – what it stands for and what it wants to achieve.”
“Under the leadership of Professor Brian O’Connell UWC has made significant strides. So much so that it is currently placed in the so-called cluster one institution in South Africa,” Pretorius said.
Cape Argus