UCT has appointed Izak (Sakkie) van Rensburg as executive director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Van Rensburg was director of ICT at the University of the Free State (UFS). He holds an MBA from UFS and has more than 25 years' experience in the ICT sector. He spent 22 years in the private sector, during which time he built a private business that was sold to a JSE-listed company in 1998.

He has a strong track record of developing ICT strategies in the higher-education sector and of aligning these with the university's systems.

While at UFS, Van Rensburg facilitated key technology decisions, and oversaw the successful implementation of various systems, all of which improved service to the university.

As UFS' strategic advisor, and reporting directly to senior management, he developed the university's ICT Strategic Plan and saw to its implementation. Part of his mandate was to align and harness technology for the benefit of the university's academic, administrative and research functions.

"With an in-depth knowledge of the industry, as well as of university strategy and operating models, Mr Van Rensburg is passionate about service and understands the needs of the teaching and research communities," said Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thandabantu Nhlapo.

"Moreover, he understands research technologies and trends in the market and their potential applicability to the university."

He is also the co-ordinator of the Special Interest Group on High Performance Computing for South African universities.

"We welcome him on board," Nhlapo said.

Van Rensburg will take office on 1 February 2009.