Wits welcomes Adam Habib

Message from the Deputy Vice Chairperson of Council, Justice Carole Lewis

It is with great pleasure that I would like to announce that Professor Adam Habib will be joining the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, on Friday, the 1st of March 2013 as Vice-Chancellor and Principal designate.

Prof. Habib will serve in this capacity for three months until the commencement of his appointment on the 1st of June 2013 as the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University. This means that his term of office will overlap with that of the current Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Loyiso Nongxa, for three months. Prof. Nongxa’s term of office ends on the 31st of May 2013.

This transitional period will provide an opportunity for the efficient transfer of leadership, responsibilities and duties at the executive level. It will also afford the new Vice-Chancellor and Principal the opportunity to become familiar with the institution, its staff, students and other stakeholders.

We are certain that Prof. Habib will bring with him a wealth of experience and new ideas on how to take the University into the future. We look forward to welcoming him to Wits and to hosting his inauguration ceremony later this year.

Short Biography of Prof. Adam Habib:

Prof. Habib is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Library and Faculty Coordination at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). He joined UJ in 2007 as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Advancement. He worked at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) as an Executive Director from 2004 – 2007 and as Professor of the School of Development Studies at the University of Natal from 2001 – 2003. From 1989 – 2001, he served in various capacities at the University of Durban-Westville.

Prof. Habib has also worked as a Research Director for the Centre for Civil Society at the University of Natal and as a Research Director on Governance and Democracy at the HSRC. A professor of Political Science, Habib is a renowned public and media commentator. He serves on numerous external boards, both in South Africa and internationally and is widely published.

Prof. Habib obtained his Masters and Doctoral qualifications in political studies from the City University of New York. He holds a Masters degree from the University of Natal, an Honours degree from Wits and a BA undergraduate degree from the University of Natal.

Justice Carole Lewis

Deputy Chairperson of Council

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg