CUT Council appoints new Vice-Chancellor and Principal
The Council of the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) has appointed Prof. HJ (Henk) de Jager as the University’s new Vice-Chancellor and Principal, effective as from 1 June 2024.
Prof. De Jager will succeed Prof. Thandwa Mthembu, who left the employ of CUT in September 2024, after he accepted the position as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Durban University of Technology (DUT).
Council appointed Prof. De Jager on the basis of his distinguished academic credentials, creative leadership qualities and entrepreneurial spirit, with a particular focus on transforming the length and breadth of the University’s academic and research programmes, and driving a new culture of entrepreneurship and innovation education amongst both students and staff of CUT. With his academic insight, leadership and warmth, Prof. De Jager adequately demonstrated to members of Council and the University’s other statutory structures, as well as to unions, staff and students, that he is a credible leader who would lead CUT into the next frontier of innovations.
“We are convinced that no one is better suited to lead the University at this time than Prof. De Jager. He will assume this leadership responsibility when the University consolidates its position as a leading university of technology in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Medical Product Development through Additive Manufacturing (3D printing technology), as well as in Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education”, said Mr Mike Mohohlo, Chairperson of Council.
In addition to his distinguished tenure at CUT as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Academic and Research (from 2012 to 2024) and DVC: Research, Innovation and Engagement
(from 2024 to date), Prof. De Jager has led CUT in a series of projects that were undertaken to transform the University’s courses into market-focused academic programmes that are unique in South Africa. Under his leadership, CUT has increased its number of academic staff with doctorates to 33%, and has added significant new academic, research and innovation programmes to its offerings.
“We are excited about the significant achievements and contributions that Prof. De Jager has brought to CUT since 2012, and we are appointing him as our next
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, so that he drives to Vision 2024 to fruition, which seeks to contribute to the economic development of the region, with a focus on impact and building sustained partnerships with government, business and industry”, Mr Mohohlo said.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled to serve as the new Vice-Chancellor and Principal of CUT. I consider my new role as an opportunity to make further advances in our academic project in terms of quality, research and innovation outputs; promote the human project; enhance the transformation process at the University to a matured, transformed institution; strengthen our partnerships and internationalisation; make a meaningful impact on regional economic development; and enhance the financial sustainability of the University”, stated Prof De Jager.
Prof. De Jager holds an MDipTech in Electrical Engineering; BA (Industrial Psychology); PGDip (Tertiary Education); and a DTech (Education Management). Furthermore, he is a member of several professional bodies, and is registered as a Professional Engineering Technologist with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). He was involved in various quality assurance audits for the Certification Council of Technikons, ECSA, the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of South Africa, and the Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He has supervised at postgraduate level, and has published several articles in conference proceedings and scientific journals. His research interest is focused on Engineering Education, Innovation Ecosystems, and Strategic Management and Leadership in Higher Education.
He is married to Miemsie, who holds a PhD in Business Management, and the couple has two children, Melandie and Henko.