NWU WELCOMES NEW PRINCIPAL AND VICE CHANCELLOR

Francois Wiid and Tendainyasha Zinyemba

@wiid.francois and @tendai_zee 

Students are awaiting the inauguration of the new Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Dr Bismark Tyobeka, nuclear scientist and chairperson of the North-West University (NWU) Council. His appointment was officially announced on 18 March by the NWU Council. This appointment was confirmed by the NWU Council on the 17th of March.

The appointment  of Dr Bismark Tyobeka followed the resignation of Professor Dan Kgwadi, former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the NWU, on 8 November 2021, which was a result of his appointment as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the Vaal University of Technology. He served his notice until 31 January. During this time, the search for a new Vice-Chancellor commenced.

Prof Linda du Plessis, who was Prof Kgwadi’s Deputy, stepped in as Acting Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the end of his notice period. She will continue her service as Acting Principal and Vice-Chancellor until the official inauguration of Dr Bismark Tyobeka. The details of his inauguration have not been made public yet.

Having obtained his BSc (Ed) degree in 1999 and a MSc in 2001 at NWU, which was at the time known as the University of North-West, Dr Tyobeka is no stranger to the NWU. Additionally, he was awarded with a NWU Alumni  Award of Excellence for his notable national and international contributions to the nuclear sciences and in  2014, Dr Tyobeka joined the NWU Council and was elected Chairperson of the Council in 2017 and again in 2020.

Dr Tyobeka received numerous acclaims in the field of nuclear science including being CEO of the National Nuclear Regulator of South Africa in 2013 as well as being Vice Chairman of International Nuclear Regulator Forum and the Forum for Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa, only to name a few.

Dr Tyobeka is what Acting Chairperson of the NWU Council, Mr Bert Sordrager, termed “the ideal candidate to lead the NWU to new successes”. His term as Principal and Vice-Chancellor is set to officially commence on 1 June.