If he doesn’t know your name, he’ll stop and ask - and the next time, expect that you will be greeted like an old friend. That’s the kind of warmth and personality that exudes from the 8th Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Balfour.

It is a mere 100 days into his term and much has been achieved in a short space of time.

Although officially taking office on 1 January 2025, Professor Balfour began immersing himself in campus life months before, walking the grounds, meeting with students and staff, and warmly welcoming guests to UWC, always wearing one of his signature hats.

By the time he stepped into the role, he already had a strong sense of the institution and its people because of an intensive stakeholder engagement exercise across the length and breadth of the entire campus. The stakeholder engagements continued into the first 100 days to include visits to: the Premier of the Western Cape Province, Vice-Chancellors of sister Universities, influential donors and the hosting of several Consul-generals and international delegations.

Over the course of his first 100 days, Professor Balfour didn’t just take stock. He also acted and looked ahead. In January, for example, the University responded to the news of a reduction in its subsidy income by formulating and announcing an approach to the careful stewardship of budgets. This was a critical response to ensure the future sustainability of the University as a thriving learning community.

One of the standout moments of his early days in office was his directive to organise a no-cost inauguration. Aware of the financial pressures facing UWC and the higher education sector at large, Professor Balfour challenged the management team to deliver a meaningful inauguration without burdening the University’s budget.

They not only succeeded but secured donations that created a surplus which helped reimagine the student-led iKamvalethu Fund, a flagship project of the Student Representative Council (SRC). At the cheque handover, Professor Balfour presented R1.6 million to the SRC president to grow the fund, which supports students who fall outside of NSFAS’s funding model.

At his modest but memorable inauguration held at the Cape Town Civic Centre on 15 February, Professor Balfour shared a powerful vision for UWC - one grounded in social justice, inclusion and public good. Among the profound messages in his inaugural address was a commitment to reimagine the role of UWC as a home of the intellectual left and a call to transition from a research-led to a leading-research University.

In January the new Rector also commenced a process with the Executive to develop a framework for goal-setting and reporting. Following on this he also gave attention to approaches to improve cross-functional collaboration so as to achieve improved synergy and efficiencies. This resulted in the crafting of an approach called the ‘Management of Interdependencies – The UWC Way’ comprising a series of priority projects which are to be led by members of the Executive.

March was an especially busy Month. Collaborations between local TVET colleges (Northlink and Boland) were realised with a view to enhancing existing areas of the University’s research (e.g. on regenerative agriculture) and a commitment to expanding access (through more explicit articulation routes from TVET to University as anticipated also by UPSET). He has also visited schools in our nearest communities to explore how the University can support sporting and other events to build connections, partnerships and synergy.

Spontaneous pop-in visits to our campuses in Woodstock and Bellville CBD, and also onsite walkabouts to residences and facilities, are part of his style of engagement and accessibility.

Alumni have also responded positively to his approach. In March, Professor Balfour launched a national alumni engagement tour, commencing in Bloemfontein. The roadshow has been designed to reconnect with former students, celebrate UWC’s legacy, and build support for current and future generations of learners. Stops in the Cape Metro, Gqeberha and Kimberley are scheduled in the months ahead.

At the end of March, a special sitting of the Senate approved UWC’s improvement plan. This was an important governance process to endorse the University’s official response to the recommendations of CHE’s Institutional Audit Report which was received in quarter 4 of 2024.

In early April, Prof Balfour announced the launch of a series of inclusive Campus Dialogues, inviting staff and students to help shape UWC’s priorities for the next five years. These dialogues are already setting the tone for the future in demonstrating a consultative and transparent style of leadership.

His first few months in office have been characterised by energy, presence and partnership. From the outset, Professor Balfour ensured that he established sound relationships with students, staff, alumni and external stakeholders. He walked the campus, listened to concerns, and responded with both empathy and intent.

There is a substantive list of achievements within the academic project which are too many to list. Among them, the University welcomed a new cohort of 80 scholars to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, which aims to support 500 students over seven years. In addition, UWC’s renewed focus on short learning programmes and a special focus on micro-credentials has brought together voices from academia, policy and industry to explore how flexible, lifelong learning models can serve the country’s needs. In Gugulethu, the Mobile Dental Clinic was relaunched with an expanded service that operates every weekday, improving community healthcare and providing valuable training for dental students.

As part of its forward-looking approach to infrastructure innovation, UWC has broken ground on a new solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage system on campus.

The project, which is the first of its scale in the higher education sector, not only supports sustainable energy use but also offers research and learning opportunities for students in multiple disciplines.

Although 2025 began with national tensions over fees, accommodation and financial exclusions, UWC experienced relatively little disruption thanks to the readiness of the VC and his team to engage responsively with student leadership to ensure minimal negative impact on teaching and learning.

In addition, Professor Balfour has tasked the executive with urgently improving systems related to transportation planning, the provision of new accommodation, and the overhaul of the maintenance reporting process.

In supporting our commitment to international partnership and collaborations we hosted 7 foreign and diplomatic delegations to UWC, including among others from France, Germany, China and India.  We also welcomed no fewer than 112 foreign visiting international scholars to conferences and seminars at UWC from Europe, UK, North America and Asia.

As he closes his first 100 days, Professor Balfour’s attention turns to the University’s next big task: shaping UWC’s Institutional Operating Plan (IOP) for 2026–2030. At the heart of this process is a commitment to preserving UWC’s legacy as a university rooted in academic excellence, transformation, critical thought and social justice.

Looking back over the past 100 days Prof Balfour emphasises that vision achieves impact through action. By bringing people together, fostering collaboration, and turning ideas into tangible progress, he has built momentum for a stronger, more inclusive university. His commitment to making our institution a place of possibility and belonging is already taking root, inspiring confidence in the path ahead. As we look to the future, it is clear that under his leadership, our university is not only dreaming bigger but also ensuring that UWC continues to be a place of possibility and belonging.