North West University vice-chancellor Dr Theuns Eloff has been appointed chairperson of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, a global body representing universities in the Commonwealth.
The association represents about 500 universities in 36 countries, including the majority of South African universities.
Universities in the Commonwealth automatically qualify for membership of the association, but the rule, said Eloff, is that member governments decide on which universities to register.
Eloff, who is also the chairperson of South Africa’s association of university vice-chancellors, Higher Education South Africa, said: ‘I am happy about my appointment. I am the type of person you can call ‘laid-back’.
The panel elected me and that means they have confidence in me. I am very positive.†He took up the chairmanship of Association of Commonwealth Universities in July this year after serving as deputy chairperson since 2007.
He is the second South African to be appointed to this position in the past 10 years and takes over from former University of Natal vice-chancellor Brenda Gourley, who is vice-chancellor of the Open University in the United Kingdom.
‘For South Africa my appointment means that, since 1994, we have really been a part of the Commonwealth. And for Africa this can mean only that more focus on Africa’s issues will be at the centre,†said Eloff. He said his appointment could mean, indirectly, that the association will pay close attention to African university issues, ‘but it does not mean that only African issues will be attended to. As chairman I will see opportunities for the continent — I will see things with an African eye.â€
The association operates as a non-profit organisation with a special focus on the functioning and development of universities in the Commonwealth.
One of its services is research management which, according to its website, embraces anything that universities can do to maximise the effect of their research activity. It includes helping to identify new sources of funds, presenting research applications and advice on costing projects and negotiating contracts with external sponsors.
It incorporates project management and financial control systems. It involves helping to maximise research results through commercialisation, knowledge exchange and dissemination to wider society.
In addition, the association runs benchmarking exercises for universities to assess their performances in comparison with their counterparts within the Commonwealth, financially and otherwise.
It also offers fellowship and scholarship schemes for students from developing countries in the Commonwealth and it is involved in the development of partnerships in higher education. ‘At vice-chancellor level there is always a spark between us, which leads to the development of stronger relationships between our universities and the forging of stronger partnerships,†said Eloff.
Eloff said academics form relationships that extend to broader relations between their respective universities. ‘This appointment is not full time but I will travel to the head offices in London often to attend important meetings,†said Eloff.
In recent years the association has suffered a financial knock but it is looking at improving its financial situation, he said