New boss at helm of CPUT

Dr Chris Nhlapo is the new vice-chancellor at CPUT.

Dr Chris Nhlapo is the new vice-chancellor of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).

He has been the university’s acting vice-chancellor since August last year.

CPUT has been without a permanent vice-chancellor since the resignation of Dr Prins Nevhutalu in October 2017, after he was found guilty by internal disciplinary hearing of “gross misconduct”.

CPUT Council chairwoman Nogolide Nojozi said they had “unanimously supported” Dr Nhlapo’s appointment, following a rigorous selection process. “As acting vice-chancellor, Dr Nhlapo did an excellent job stabilising campuses and ensuring the continuation of the academic programme under very trying conditions in 2017,” said Ms Nojozi, referring to the FeesMustFall protests that rocked the institution.

Last year students protested over the contracts of in-sourced workers and demanded that the suspensions of four student leaders be lifted, forcing the institution to be shut down in August.

Dr Nhlapo is the former head of chemistry at both the University of the North and the University of the Free State.

He also worked for the National Research Foundation, before joining CPUT in February 2008 as deputy vice-chancellor of research, innovation and partnerships.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be appointed as the third vice-chancellor of CPUT. The task I face is complex,” he said.

He was working on a plan, he said, to help the institution meet future challenges, such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution.