Top global scholar for UCT

Professor Carlos Lopes will be joining the Faculty of Commerce as a visiting professor with the goal of assisting UCT’s Graduate School of Development and Policy Practice (GSDPP) to become Africa’s magnet for training public sector leadership.

The announcement of the appointment was made at the school’s fifth birthday celebrations on 30 November.

Dean of Commerce, Professor Ingrid Woolard, said: “Dr Lopes is a champion of Africa’s structural transformation. He will be instrumental in helping the faculty contribute towards UCT’s research vision of being the best in Africa and for Africa.”

Professor Alan Hirsch, Director of the GSDPP, added: “He is one of Africa’s leading intellectuals and most recently his work as Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa had a major impact on the thinking about economic development.”

He will be sharing his time with a Visiting Fellowship with Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, and serving on the Global Commission on Economy and Climate and the Steering group helping the African Union reform.