SPU appoints Prof Debra Meyer as VC, principal designate

The Council of Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Debra Meyer as the University’s 3rd Vice-Chancellor and Principal, effective 1 January 2026.

This appointment, made at the Council meeting held on 27 November 2024, marks a significant milestone in the University’s journey as we continue to build on the solid foundations laid by our predecessors.

Prof Andrew Crouch’s role during the transition
Professor Meyer will serve as the Vice-Chancellor designate throughout 2025, working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Andrew Crouch, as part of the leadership transition.

During this period, she will retain her substantive role as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Postgraduate Studies, ensuring continuity in her current portfolio while preparing to take up her new responsibilities.

About Prof Debra Meyer
Professor Meyer is a distinguished academic leader with a wealth of experience in higher education. Currently serving as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Postgraduate Studies at SPU, she has been instrumental in driving the University’s research agenda and enhancing its postgraduate programmes.

Her leadership has significantly contributed to SPU’s growing reputation as a centre of academic excellence and an anchor institution in the Northern Cape. An accomplished scholar, Professor Meyer holds a PhD in Biochemistry and is widely recognised for her contributions to science and higher education. Her career reflects a strong commitment to excellence, equity, and the transformative power of education— values that align closely with SPU’s mission and vision.

The selection process
The appointment of Professor Meyer follows a rigorous selection process overseen by the Council’s Search and Selection Panel and endorsed by the Institutional Forum and Senate. Her vision for the future of SPU, coupled with her deep understanding of the University’s unique geographic and socio-economic positioning, made her an outstanding choice to lead the institution into its next phase of growth and development. Professor Meyer’s tenure will focus on consolidating SPU’s position as a pioneering institution of higher learning, furthering its mission of academic excellence, community engagement, and innovation. As SPU approaches its second decade, her leadership will be critical in driving initiatives that ensure financial sustainability, enhance student success, and strengthen the University’s impact locally and globally.