Frequently Asked Questions:
What motivates your work?
I am motivated by the transformative power of education to change lives, strengthen institutions, and contribute to societal development. Having experienced the opportunities that higher education can create, I am passionate about ensuring that universities remain engines of knowledge creation, social mobility, intellectual growth, and innovation.
In the Economic and Management Sciences, I look to co-create not only world class teaching and research, but commercialisation opportunities as well.
What is your leadership philosophy?
I see leadership as stewardship. In highly talented academic environments, leaders create the conditions for success by providing clarity, removing barriers, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that robust systems and governance support the work of students and staff.
What is your vision for higher education?
Universities must be protected domains of academic freedom. They have particularly important roles to play in fostering socio-economic development and scientific discovery, reducing contemporary and inter-generational inequalities, promoting tolerance and social cohesion, and developing the next generation of leaders capable of addressing local and global challenges.
Your research impact?
I am particularly interested in research that bridges the gap between academic inquiry and practical impact. However, I will always recognise the importance of the ivory tower for protected theoretical work that advances each discipline. My historical focus has always been to produce knowledge that is rigorous, relevant, and useful for policymakers, institutions, and communities.
What areas are you passionate about?
Seeing tangible progress made towards the values of the South African Constitution within my lifetime.