Leadership Responsibilities: DVC Teaching & Learning

Dear colleagues and students

I am writing to inform you about further changes in the Leadership Lekgotla.

Associate Professor Lis Lange will not be seeking renewal of her deputy-vice chancellor (DVC) appointment, which was scheduled to end in January 2023. It has been agreed that Associate Professor Lange will relinquish her DVC position with immediate effect and that, for the next two months, she will focus on preparing the University of Cape Town (UCT) for the Council on Higher Education's Institutional Audit, which is scheduled for later this year. Following a period of sabbatical leave, Associate Professor Lange will join the Centre for Higher Education Development. We thank Associate Professor Lange for her intellectual and strategic contribution to the development of the university.

The appointment of Associate Professor Lange's successor as deputy vice-chancellor will follow the required process and will be initiated as soon as possible. In the meanwhile, Council has approved the appointment of Professor Harsha Kathard as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning. Professor Kathard is a Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Research Director of the Inclusive Practices Africa Research Unit. She is a C2-rated scientist who has published over 60 research papers and has extensive experience in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Professor Kathard has previously served as Head of the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Department at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and as Chair of the Education Committee of the Health Professionals Council of South Africa. I have no doubt that Professor Kathard will hit the ground running in the position of our Acting DVC for Teaching and Learning. She is able to take up this role immediately, ensuring that we have leadership continuity in this key aspect of our work as a university.

Sincerely

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor

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