Professor Robert Balfour: Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape
Professor Robert John Balfour became the eighth Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on January 1, 2025. With nearly two decades of experience in academic and administrative leadership, he brings a wealth of expertise to this role.
Prior to his appointment at UWC, Professor Balfour served as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at North-West University (NWU). His extensive leadership experience includes serving as Registrar at St Augustine College of South Africa and Dean of the Faculty of Education Sciences at NWU.
An accomplished academic, Professor Balfour holds a BA, BA Honours in English and a Higher Diploma in Education from Rhodes University. He completed his Master’s in English and Education with distinction at the University of Natal (KwaZulu-Natal, UKZN). He earned his doctoral degree in 2000 in Applied Linguistics in Education in Cambridge where he was a Cambridge Commonwealth Trust Scholar in Corpus Christi College, and subsequently the Foundation Fellow at Clare Hall.
Professor Balfour’s scholarly expertise spans applied linguistics, post-colonial literary criticism, and education. He has published extensively on topics such as post-colonial identities, multilingualism, and inclusive education in South Africa and beyond. His contributions have earned him recognition as a National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated academic since 2010.
In addition to his academic achievements, Professor Balfour is a sought-after keynote speaker on language and education in South Africa. He has served previously as member of the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and as Chairperson of the HEQC’s National Standards and Reviews Committee
His academic career is complemented by his creative pursuits as a painter, poet and short fiction author in national and international literary journals.
Professor Balfour’s leadership is underpinned by a deep commitment to advancing language learning, rural education and post-colonial studies.
Units and Programmes of the Rector's Office
The Department of Institutional Advancement (IA) is responsible for fundraising, institutional events management, alumni and stakeholder relationships as well as providing marketing and communication services to the University of the Western Cape.
The department supports the university's teaching, research and community engagements in five ways:
1. Providing quality marketing materials that enhance the institution's standing and profile both locally and globally;
2. Promoting and maintaining the institution’s image online through its website and social media platforms;
3. Responding in a timely manner to requests for information from the media and the general public;
4. Forging partnerships with corporate and civic organisations, and
5. Maintaining relationships with the university's alumni.
KEY CONTACTS Professor Anesh Maniraj Singh Position: Director - Institutional Advancement Email Director's Office - Natasha Dreyer:ndreyer@uwc.ac.za
Ms Vera Adams Position: Manager - Donor and Alumni Relations Click HERE for more info about Fundraising and Donor Relations Click HERE for more info about Alumni Relations
Ms Nashira Davids Position: Manager - Communications / Acting University Spokesperson Email: nndavids@uwc.ac.za Phone:+27 21 959 2625
Ms Amanda Philander Position: Manager - Events and Operations Email:aphilander@uwc.ac.za
Media Office Tel:+27 21 959 3637 The Institutional Advancement senior managers are: (left to right) Gasant Abarder, Nashira Davids, Professor Anesh Maniraj Singh, Niven Maree, Amanda Philander, Essa Sadien and Vera Adams.
The Institutional Planning Office (IP) is responsible for managing and coordinating various institutional functions such as:
1) Infrastructure and enrolment planning;
2) Quality assurance;
3) HEMIS reporting;
4) Student enrolment management;
5) Institutional research;
6) Business intelligence;
7) DHET grant coordination and reporting, and
8) Leadership support.
KEY CONTACTS
Ms Loïs Dippenaar Position: Institutional Planner Email: ldippenaar@uwc.ac.za
vacant position: Director - Institutional Planning
Dr Elizabeth Archer
Position: Director - Institutional Research
Vincent Morta Position: Consultant - Quality Assurance and MIS
The International Relations Office (IRO) aims to serve as a liaison and facilitation for the advancement of strategic partnerships and internationalisation within and external to the UWC campus community.
The IRO vision is to be recognised as the axis of international linkages within UWC, through premier collaborations, partnerships and programmes.
Internationalisation is the active commitment to infuse African and international perspectives throughout teaching, learning, research and service missions of the University.
The goal of UWC’s internationalisation strategy is to partner with institutions across various research and academic programmes to build on existing scholarship, produce new knowledge and address global challenges facing humanity. This includes building resilient North-South partnerships, co-operative engagements that enhance the quality of knowledge production and develop socially-responsive scholars committed to transforming the lives of the vulnerable and marginalised.
KEY CONTACT
Mr Umesh Bawa Position: Director - International Relations Email: ubawa@uwc.ac.za
The Proctor's Office performs a dual function:
1) Review and vet university contracts with third parties including amendment or drafting thereof, if necessary.
2) Register, investigate complaints against students and prosecute students in Student Disciplinary Court, if required.
KEY CONTACTS
Mr Shervaan Rajie
Position: Director - Legal Services
Ms Shamah Abrahams
Position: Proctor / Legal Advisor
Ms Susa van Dyk
Position: Prosecutor
The Student Enrolment Management Unit (SEMU) is a support service which address a range of issues related to undergraduate study at the University of the Western Cape, including Applications; Admissions and Career Pathing among others.
The UWC Annual Open Day, a highlight on UWC’s annual calendar, is an event managed by SEMU.
The University of the Western Cape's HIV and AIDS Programme was established in 2001 in response to the significant impact that the pandemic has had on the university’s student and staff population.
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