Dr Sizwe Mabizela, a high-profile mathematician and deputy vice-chancellor, has been named Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University, Vuyo Kahla, chairman of the RU Council has announced. The seven-year appointment, which may be extended, begins 1 November.
Dr Sizwe Mabizela, a high-profile mathematician and deputy vice-chancellor, has been named Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University, Vuyo Kahla, chairman of the RU Council has announced. The seven-year appointment, which may be extended, begins 1 November.
It follows the resignation earlier this year of Dr Saleem Badat, who has taken a position with the Mellon Foundation in the United States.
The Council of Rhodes University unanimously approved the appointment 8 October, after a long process in which candidates were interviewed and then made a presentation to the selection committee. The committee recommended him to the University's Senate, which overwhelmingly approved his selection.
"Dr Mabizela is eminently worthy of his appointment as the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of this prestigious University," Kahla said in a media statement.
"Dr Mabizela enjoys a solid standing as a mathematician amongst his peers and his professional global contribution to the discipline of Mathematics is considerable.
"Dr Mabizela is a leading scholar with impressive and extensive publications covering his research and teaching interests of Applied Functional Analysis, Approximation Theory, Topology, Real Analysis, Metric Spaces, Symplectic Geometry, Geometric Quantisation, Lie Theory and Differential Geometry," he said.
Mabisela also has addressed academic conferences and seminars around the world for almost three decades. His academic service includes membership on panels to rate researchers for the National Research Foundation and Foundation for Research Development for 13 years and member of the Board of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences since its inception 11 years ago. He has been a guest lecturer, a reviewer and referee for academic journals, an external examiner for PhD dissertations and Master’s theses, and he has served as an external assessor of the University of Stellenbosch’s Department of Mathematical Sciences.
At Rhodes, he was a full profession, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Student Affairs since 2008 and head of the Department of Mathematics (Pure and Applied). His academic history includes associate professor and deputy head of the University of Cape Town’s Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and visiting professor of the University of Zimbabwe’s Department of Mathematics.
Other professional activities include chairperson of the Council of Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture in Cape Town; chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Zithembe Career and Education Counselling Centre, Cape Town; member of the Catholic Schools Board of 2013, Cape Town; Director of Science Development Project, Cape Town; Chairperson of the St Francis Adult Education Centre, Cape Town; and President of the African Students Association at his alma mater, Pennsylvania State University.
He has made public addresses and other presentations since September 1999 on a broad range of topics, including Embracing Cultural Diversity Challenges and Opportunities at UCT; Challenges and Opportunities presented by Mergers in Higher Education, UCT; The STRUGGLE beyond the struggle: Facing the Challenge, at St Francis School, Langa Cape Town; Is South Africa a home for all? for a panel discussion at Rhodes; the Marikana massacre: A Call to action and Are we still on course? Celebrating the life of Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, both at the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, Grahamstown; What is your purpose in life? at the Kutliso Daniels High School, Grahamstown; You can make a difference! at the Victoria Girls High School, Grahamstown.
"Dr Mabizela enjoys the support and confidence of Council to lead the University out of who he is and drive the finalization of the Institutional Development Plan intended to address the grand challenges faced by the University, to sustain Rhodes University, where leaders learn," the statement concluded.
