Dear colleagues and college students
It is with nice pleasure that I announce the appointment of Professor Thokozani Majozi as the brand new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) for Research and Internationalisation on the University of Cape Town (UCT) with impact from 1 January 2026.
Professor Majozi is a number one scholar and seasoned tutorial administrator. He will be a part of UCT from Wits University, the place he’s the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. He additionally held full professorship within the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, the place from 2013 to 2022 he was the holder of the celebrated National Research Foundation – Department of Science and Technology (NRF–DST) Chair in Sustainable Process Engineering.
His analysis contributions are in depth and broadly recognised. Among his most vital achievements is the event of a continuous-time framework for the synthesis of batch crops, a novel method for close to zero-effluent batch chemical amenities, and a course of integration method for built-in water and membrane community techniques. He has additionally superior predictive fashions for reverse osmosis and electrodialysis membranes. These improvements are usually not solely of tutorial significance however have been adopted by trade, bridging the hole between analysis and sensible software.
Professor Majozi’s tutorial journey started with a BSc Chemical Engineering diploma in 1994 adopted by an MScEng (Chemical) in 1998 on the University of Natal (now University of KwaZulu-Natal). In 1999, he was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue doctoral research within the United Kingdom, the place he accomplished his PhD in course of integration on the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). His profession path has taken him by a number of tutorial establishments, together with the University of Pretoria, the place he was appointed affiliate professor in 2004 and later promoted to full professor in 2008. He additionally held an affiliate professorship in pc science on the University of Pannonia in Hungary from 2005 to 2009.
Professor Majozi has printed greater than 300 scientific works, together with a number of influential books resembling Batch Chemical Process Integration (Springer, 2010) and titles printed by CRC Press/Taylor and Francis on synthesis, design, useful resource optimisation and water administration. His work has constantly pushed the boundaries of sustainable engineering and impressed the following technology of scientists and engineers. He is a B1 NRF rated scientist.
Beyond his scholarship, he has performed vital management 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, and deputy chairperson of the Council for the Built Environment (CBE). He at present serves because the president and chairperson of the Academy of Science of South Africa. Internationally, he was the one African consultant on the Royal Society/DFID Programme choice panel from 2012 to 2017.
Professor Majozi can be 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 each a registered skilled engineer with ECSA and a Chartered Engineer with the UK Engineering Council.
His quite a few awards attest to his vital contributions to science and society. These embrace 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 worldwide significance.
The appointment of Professor Majozi comes at an important second in UCT’s journey. As we pursue our Vision 2030 and Strategy 2030, our aim is to harness the facility of analysis and worldwide collaboration to handle urgent challenges whereas positioning UCT as a worldwide chief in data creation.
With his observe report of scholarship, management and innovation, Professor Majozi will play a pivotal function in advancing our analysis agenda and strengthening worldwide partnerships. His appointment displays UCT’s continued capability to draw people of the best calibre, guaranteeing that we stay Africa’s premier college and one of the highest establishments globally.
Professor will take over from Professor Jeff Murugan, who has carried the obligations of the workplace in an performing capability since January 2024. I want to prolong my honest gratitude to him for his dedication and stewardship throughout this era.
Colleagues and college students, please be a part of me in welcoming Professor Majozi to UCT. I’m assured that below his management, our analysis and internationalisation agenda will attain new heights, supporting our mission to remodel lives and societies by data.
Sincerely
Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor
Read earlier communications: