WHILE the attentions of the University are firmly fixed on students this week as the graduation ceremonies and celebrations take place, UCT is also delighted to announce the appointment of a new Deputy Vice-Chancellor who will take charge of the student affairs portfolio.

Professor Benito Khotseng will take office in February next year as the fourth of the University's DVCs. He joins UCT from the University of the Free State where he is currently Vice-Rector: Student Services.

Speaking soon after the confirmation of his appointment last week, Khotseng said: “I am most excited and proud to join a world-class African university that, by virtue of its values, practices and success, has had a tremendous impact on many people's quality of life.

“As a person committed to diversity, equity, transformation and development of human talent, it is an honour to be part of a visionary team that cherishes excellence and the promotion of scholarship. Sustainable excellence and equity are not possible without the capacity-building contribution of an innovative university. Excellence is a strength, especially when rooted in a common understanding of what the institution stands for and why it exists. It is my earnest desire to serve and contribute towards the vision of UCT.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Njabulo Ndebele said UCT management was delighted about Khotseng's appointment: “Prof Khotseng is an innovative thinker and he is open and mature in embracing diversity and change.

"He brings invaluable experience to UCT and his appointment definitely strengthens the University's leadership, especially in the light of the retirement of Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof Wieland Gevers at the end of this year.”

Khotseng comes from a humble family background and studied part-time for all his degrees, relying on bursaries to finance his studies. He completed his BA at the University of the North in 1969 and his South African Teachers' Diploma in 1970. In 1974 he obtained a Bachelor of Education degree through UNISA, and his Management of Technical and Vocational Education through Huddersfield Polytechnic in 1980.

His Masters degree was attained at the University of Natal in 1982 and he received his doctorate at the same university in 1990. Khotseng's thesis focused on the polytechnic and its contribution to education for the development of high-level manpower in South Africa.

Khotseng began his career in teaching, investing seven years in the school and college environments. The years 1984 to 1993 were spent at the University of the North, where he was appointed Dean of the Education Faculty in 1992. Khotseng took up a post at the University of the Orange Free State (as it was known) in 1993, initially responsible for strategic programmes. He was appointed Vice Rector: Student Services in 1996.

For the past four years he has also been a Visiting Professor in Doctoral Studies with Seton Hall University, New Jersey.

He holds a number of professional memberships and leadership role in various bodies in the areas of student affairs, as well as on higher education bodies focusing on the strategic development of higher education, both locally and internationally.

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