The University of Johannesburg has announced Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi as the university’s new vice-chancellor and principal, effective from March 1 next year.
The chair of the council of UJ Mike Teke, announced Mpedi, who is currently the deputy vice-chancellor: academic, and a member of the university’s Management Executive Committee, as the new vice-chancellor and principal.
“The panel were impressed with his commitment to continuing with the university’s strategic objectives and our values of transformation, social justice and environmental sustainability. Prof Mpedi has also demonstrated an unwavering and outstanding commitment to continuing our efforts for the university to be recognised as an innovative and rigorous place of learning in the fourth industrial revolution with impactful research. We are delighted to welcome him to lead our ambitious plans,” said Teke.
Earlier this month, the university announced the short-listing of four candidates for the position after the appointment of the current vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Tshilidzi Marwala as the rector of the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan, effective from March 1, 2023.
Before his appointment as the deputy vice-chancellor: academic in 2021, Mpedi was the executive dean of the Faculty of Law at UJ.
The university said in January 2018, he was elected to the Board of Governors of the International Association of Law Schools. In 2017, Mpedi was awarded the Titans: Building Nations, Continental Award for Education and Training: Academic and earlier that year, he walked away with both the South African and SADC Regional awards in this sector.
The new vice-chancellor is also the recipient of several awards, including the Continental Award for Education and Training: Academic, and the South African and Southern African Development Community Regional Awards for Education and Training: Academic.
“I’m delighted and deeply honoured to be taking up the role of vice-chancellor of this great university. Prof Marwala and his predecessor, Prof Ihron Rensburg, have built a strong university, and I see many opportunities to take the institution’s ambitious strategy forward. I am particularly looking forward to working with staff and students to build a truly inspirational and transformative institution where all are included and supported to thrive,” Mpedi said.
Marwala also offered his warmest congratulations to Mpedi on his appointment.
“I look forward to working with him over the next few months to ensure a smooth transition, and I offer him and the university my very best wishes for every success in the future,” Marwala said.
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