During the official opening of the academic year on 6 February 2018, Prof Du Plessis, the deputy vice-chancellor for planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus operations, received a long service award for 10 years of continuous service to the NWU.
From systems analyst to deputy vice-chancellor
Prof Du Plessis has been in higher education for 25 years after leaving the IT industry where she worked as a systems analyst. Her previous positions include that of acting-rector, vice-rector, senior director for information management, director for teaching development and lecturer.
She obtained a BSc, BScHons and master’s degree in information systems and completed her doctoral studies in 2002.
She describes herself as being passionate about higher education and prides herself on being a lifelong learner. To prove this she is currently enrolled for a second doctoral degree in higher education management at the University of Bath in the United Kingdom.
Prof Du Plessis furthermore boasts several leadership and research awards and contributions in national and international publications. She is also known for her passion, dedication and focus when it comes to overseeing high-level strategic projects.
Early career highlights
She completed her schooling in Rustenburg and pursued a career as computer programmer and system analyst at the then Yskor Group (now known as ArcelorMittal), after which she joined the Vaal University of Technology (VUT). At VUT she filled various positions, including that of lecturer, senior lecturer, research lecturer and also played an active part in the fields of teaching development and institutional management.
Prof Linda du Plessis recently received a long service award for 10 years of continuous service to the NWU. Here she is with Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg, the deputy vice-chancellor for Potchefstroom Campus operations and Prof Dan Kgwadi, vice-chancellor.
