The North-West University (NWU) boasts yet another vice-chancellor (VC) of a South African university among its alumni. Dr Chris Nhlapo recently took office as VC of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in Cape Town.

Dr Nhlapo now joins the cadre of NWU alumni at the helm of some of the largest and most reputable higher education institutions in the country. The others include Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng, VC of the University of Cape Town, Prof Henk de Jager, VC of the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein, and Prof Dan Kgwadi, the VC of the NWU. 

Being part of CPUT for 11 years, the institution fondly refers to Dr Nhlapo as the “architect of the university’s research and innovation blueprint”. The seeds of this blueprint were initially sown when CPUT was still in the transformational stages from a technikon to a university of technology.

They are now bearing fruit and Dr Nhlapo says CPUT is in position to take its rightful place as a leader in the fourth industrial revolution where robotics and artificial intelligence are key industries.

Dr Nhlapo says his career at the National Research Foundation (NRF) and later as deputy vice-chancellor for research, technology, innovation and partnerships has prepared him well for the rigours of the job at hand.

Dr Chris Nhlapo

In a recent interview with the Daily Maverick, Dr Nhlapo said he is thrilled to be the third VC of CPUT, but that he is also aware of the immense responsibility that rests on his shoulders. He said that the aim of the institution is to produce students with sharp minds.

Dr Nlhapo reiterated the importance of taking education seriously and referred to himself as an example, coming from a poor background in a rural area, saying that if someone like him can be a “somebody”, it is very important that education be taken seriously.

Hailing from the small community of Paul Roux in the Free State, Dr Nhlapo worked his way up, and he holds a PhD from the NWU. Prior to his employment at CPUT, he was head of Chemistry at the former University of the North and the University of the Free State. He then joined the NRF as a research manager.