Wits is bidding farewell to its deputy vice-chancellor as he leaves to lead one of South Africa’s newest universities.
After 11 years at Wits University having played important roles such as dean of the Faculty of Science, several senior executive management positions and the deputy vice-chancellor seat, Professor Andrew Crouch said farewell to his long-time campus and colleagues. Crouch announced his resignation from Wits University late last year to take up an offer to be the vice-chancellor and principal of the Sol Plaatje University, one of countries newest universities based in Kimberley.
Wits vice-chancellor and principal Adam Habib expressed, “Professor Crouch has made a significant contribution to Wits in multiple roles and capacities, including leading Wits’ digital programmes, uplifting our teaching and learning programmes and spearheading several projects in the Faculty of Science. We are immensely grateful and will miss his skills, expertise and experience.”
Habib, on behalf of the entire university community, thanked Crouch for all the work he had done for Wits over the years.
The friends and colleagues of Crouch all had great things to say about him and the time they shared together. Crouch responded emotionally to the tributes, “I would like to thank Wits University for the opportunity to serve over the years, but especially the last two administrations. Thank you for the great support from academics and professional and administrative staff. I am very proud of the many projects that I have led at the faculty and institutional levels, which would not have been possible without the support of many colleagues.
“I am glad that a different approach to teaching and learning is finally on the cards – I have always said that we must integrate our online teaching and learning activities into the day-to-day pedagogies and I am glad to see that a new norm has now been established both in South Africa and around the globe. I am also glad that decisions are now being made on data and the facts. Thank you very much for the opportunity, I will always remember my time at Wits and will take much of what I learnt here to Sol Plaatje University.”
Professor Ruksana Osman takes over the role of deputy vice-chancellor: academic as from 1 April 2020.
“I appreciated Professor Crouch’s ongoing, support, trust, guidance and integrity in all situations. I will miss his sense of presence and calmness most of all.”
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