Appointment of DVC: Research and Internationalisation

Dear colleagues and students

It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Professor Thokozani Majozi as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) for Research and Internationalisation at the University of Cape Town (UCT) with effect from 1 January 2026.

Professor Majozi is a leading scholar and seasoned academic administrator. He will join UCT from Wits University, where he is the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. He also held full professorship in the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, where from 2013 to 2022 he was the holder of the prestigious National Research Foundation – Department of Science and Technology (NRF–DST) Chair in Sustainable Process Engineering.

His research contributions are extensive and widely recognised. Among his most significant achievements is the development of a continuous-time framework for the synthesis of batch plants, a novel technique for near zero-effluent batch chemical facilities, and a process integration technique for integrated water and membrane network systems. He has also advanced predictive models for reverse osmosis and electrodialysis membranes. These innovations are not only of academic importance but have been adopted by industry, bridging the gap between research and practical application.

Professor Majozi’s academic journey began with a BSc Chemical Engineering degree in 1994 followed by an MScEng (Chemical) in 1998 at the University of Natal (now University of KwaZulu-Natal). In 1999, he was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue doctoral studies in the United Kingdom, where he completed his PhD in process integration at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). His career path has taken him through several academic institutions, including the University of Pretoria, where he was appointed associate professor in 2004 and later promoted to full professor in 2008. He also held an associate professorship in computer science at the University of Pannonia in Hungary from 2005 to 2009.

Professor Majozi has published more than 300 scientific works, including several influential books such as Batch Chemical Process Integration (Springer, 2010) and titles published by CRC Press/Taylor and Francis on synthesis, design, resource optimisation and water management. His work has consistently pushed the boundaries of sustainable engineering and inspired the next generation of scientists and engineers. He is a B1 NRF rated scientist.

Beyond his scholarship, he has played significant leadership roles nationally and internationally. He served as chairperson of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research between 2015 and 2022, was vice-president of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), and deputy chairperson of the Council for the Built Environment. He currently serves as the president and chairperson of the Academy of Science of South Africa. Internationally, he was the only African representative on the Royal Society/DFID Programme selection panel from 2012 to 2017.

Professor Majozi is also a Fellow of the Water Institute of Southern Africa, the Institute of Chemical Engineers (United Kingdom), the African Academy of Sciences, and the South African Academy of Engineers. He is both a registered professional engineer with ECSA and a Chartered Engineer with the UK Engineering Council.

His numerous awards attest to his significant contributions to science and society. These include the Zdenek Burianec Memorial Award (Italy, 2005), three National Science and Technology Forum Awards (2006, 2011, 2016), two National Research Foundation President’s Awards (2007, 2008), the South African Institute of Chemical Engineers Bill Neal-May Gold Medal (2010), the S2A3 British Association Silver Medal (2008) and the AU-TWAS Award in Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (2012). In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa awarded him the National Order of Mapungubwe (Bronze), South Africa’s highest honour for achievements of international significance.

• View Professor Majozi’s abridged VC.

The appointment of Professor Majozi comes at a crucial moment in UCT’s journey. As we pursue our Vision 2030 and Strategy 2030, our goal is to harness the power of research and international collaboration to address pressing challenges while positioning UCT as a global leader in knowledge creation.

With his track record of scholarship, leadership and innovation, Professor Majozi will play a pivotal role in advancing our research agenda and strengthening international partnerships. His appointment reflects UCT’s continued ability to attract individuals of the highest calibre, ensuring that we remain Africa’s premier university and one of the top institutions globally.

Professor will take over from Professor Jeff Murugan, who has carried the responsibilities of the office in an acting capacity since January 2024. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to him for his dedication and stewardship during this period.

Colleagues and students, please join me in welcoming Professor Majozi to UCT. I am confident that under his leadership, our research and internationalisation agenda will reach new heights, supporting our mission to transform lives and societies through knowledge.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

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