The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) has appointed Prof. Anthea Rhoda, deputy vice-chancellor: Academic, as acting vice-chancellor and principal until a replacement is appointed. The university announced on Tuesday, 20 August, she will assume her duty on 1 October while the shortlisting process continues.
Rhoda’s acting appointment comes in the wake of the university’s pending decision on the best candidate to replace Prof. Francis Petersen, whose tenure ends on 30 September.
The latter has decided to take up a similar position at the University of Pretoria (UP) on 1 October. Francis assumed his duties at the UFS on 1 April 2017, and the university announced in May this year that he resigned.
The university stated that Rhoda’s interim appointment as vice-chancellor and principal was the outcome of consultation with the Senate and the Institutional Forum on 15 August.
Before her appointment at the UFS, Rhoda was dean of the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences (CHS) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Rhoda’s acting will culminate with a new vice-chancellor and principal appointment early in 2025.
According to the university, the process starts this week (26 to 30 August), with the selection committee meeting to discuss the suitability of candidates who have applied, and compiling a shortlist based on the inherent requirements for the position.
Interviews of candidates by the selection committee is set to be conducted from 2 to 6 September. By the end of September to beginning of October, shortlisted candidates are set to be introduced to the UFS community. This process will entail presentation by the university community, i.e. council members, senate, selection committee, institution forum, convocation members and other staff members as well as registered students.
The university said the UFS council will consider the recommendations of the human resources committee, together with the selection committee and Senate outcome as well as advice from the institutional forum. The university said the council votes by secret ballot, in accordance with the post of requirements and relevant criteria.
