Engineer to head University of the Free State

Francis Peterson was appointed vice-chancellor of the University of the Free State this week following a council meeting on 2 December.

Peterson, an engineer, previously served as the University of Cape Town’s deputy vice-chancellor for institutional innovation. He takes over from Jonathan Jansen, the UFS’ outspoken former vice-chancellor who resigned in August. Jansen was appointed recently to lead the Academy of Science of South Africa.

Peterson has held the position of dean of UCT’s engineering department and was previously a strategy head at mining giant Anglo American Platinum. He said his tenure in Bloemfontein would focus on research, innovation and increasing the inclusivity of students and staff.