New UKZN Vice-Chancellor Receives Widespread Support

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Representatives of Government, business, Higher Education and student council sectors delivered messages of support for newly-installed UKZN Vice-Chancellor, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, during his Installation ceremony on the Westville campus.

Van Jaarsveld was previously the Chief Executive Officer at the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Science and Technology’s Minister Naledi Pandor congratulated him on his appointment, adding that there were challenges he would have to deal with.

‘The first challenge you face is to provide managerial and intellectual leadership. You will be able to draw on your immense experience at the executive level from your days at other universities.

‘I would ask you to give special attention to first-generation students, those who don’t have parents to look after them, those who rather have to look after their parents. Make them feel at home. Make them feel they belong. Get them to show you how good they can be….they are your future success.’

She urged the new Vice-Chancellor to provide a clear vision of what UKZN stood for as a university, making students proud of their education and their degrees.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana, added his congratulations saying the ‘Institution could not have chosen a more worthy person to fill this challenging, demanding and yet exciting post in our dynamic Higher Education system’.

Manana highlighted challenges faced by Higher Education including transformation, the increase of doctoral and PhD graduates and research outputs. He urged UKZN to partner with neighbouring historically disadvantaged universities.

‘We trust that with the support of your team, you will succeed in making the University of KwaZulu-Natal not just a great institution in terms of research and academic excellence, but indeed, a multicultural space where everyone will feel at home and be given a fair opportunity to grow, both academically and professionally. Congratulations Sir, and all the best to the University of KwaZulu-Natal.’

On behalf of Higher Education South Africa (HESA), the University of Witwatersrand’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adam Habib, welcomed van Jaarsveld to Higher Education and to KwaZulu-Natal.

‘I do not believe that UKZN could have made a better choice. But we as VCs are also keen on receiving Albert’s insights and wisdom in our collective deliberations at HESA.

‘Albert, congratulations on your ascension to the Vice-Chancellorship of this great Institution. May fortune be on your side and may wisdom accompany you on this path…we stand together with you on this arduous journey.’

The Chair of Council, Dr Phumla Mnganga, said the ceremonial act of installing the Vice-Chancellor was the University’s way of not only welcoming him to the Institution but entrusting him with more than a century of academic achievement on which he could make his mark.

‘He will preside over one of the top five universities in South Africa and one of the top 500 in the world.’

Sithembile Shabangu