Appointment of Deputy VC: Teaching and Learning

14 November 2024

Dear colleagues and students

As part of our endeavour to ensure that there is stability at senior leadership level, I am pleased to announce that the University of Cape Town (UCT) Council has approved the appointment of Professor Brandon Collier-Reed as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Teaching and Learning, with effect from 1 January 2025.

This appointment marks a notable milestone as we continue to solidify the leadership team at UCT to ensure the continued success of our institution.

Professor Collier-Reed is a highly esteemed academic and leader who has dedicated almost three decades to UCT. He has held several key positions, including as professor and head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, deputy dean for undergraduate studies in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment, and director of the Centre for Research in Engineering Education.

A proud UCT alumnus, Professor Collier-Reed received his BSc (Eng) in Mechanical Engineering in 1992, followed by an MSc in 1997 and a PhD in 2007. His extensive contributions to the South African Society for Engineering Education and the Engineering Council of South Africa are well known, where he has influenced national accreditation policy and led quality assurance teams locally and internationally.

Professor Collier-Reed’s research focuses on multilingualism, academic literacies and the impact of technology in teaching and learning – critical areas that resonate deeply with UCT’s commitment to enhancing the student experience. He was most recently announced among the recipients of the 2023 Distinguished Teacher Award.

With his profound expertise and deep commitment to the institution, we are confident that Professor Collier-Reed is the right leader to guide UCT’s teaching and learning strategies, and we look forward to the impact he will make in this new role.

I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Emerita Professor Linda Ronnie, who has served as acting DVC: Teaching and Learning since July 2023. Professor Ronnie has shown unwavering dedication during this time, and her leadership has been invaluable in maintaining continuity and excellence in our academic offerings. Prior to her, Professor Harsha Kathard held the position in an acting capacity from May 2022 to June 2023. We deeply appreciate their commitment and leadership, which have guided the university through periods of transition.

One of my priorities when I took over as vice-chancellor was to ensure that the key executive positions are filled with permanent appointments, in order to bring stability to the university and position us for long-term success. With Professor Collier-Reed’s appointment, we are furthering that goal. We continue working earnestly towards wrapping up the other ongoing recruitment processes.

On behalf of the entire university, I wish Professor Collier-Reed every success in his new position, and I am confident that he will serve UCT with distinction, bringing his wealth of experience and insight to this vital role.