UKZN ‘s newly appointed DVC for teaching, learning, Prof Thabo Msibi

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nana Poku has announced the appointment of Professor Thabo Msibi to the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning.

The announcement comes after the University Council confirmed the appointment which is effective from the 1^st of November 2023.

Msibi’s new position entails leading institutional-wide strategic initiatives – He will play a key role in both the development of the Teaching and Learning strategy as defined in the UKZN Strategic Plan 2023–2032 and in leading the transformation of the Teaching and Learning Office.

Poku says Msibi has distinguished himself as a strategic visionary, an adept leader, and an accomplished problem solver, “Professor Msibi will play a crucial role essential to the university’s core mission, and we eagerly anticipate the innovations and fresh perspectives he will bring to this position.”

Msibi is currently the Dean and Head of the School of Education at UKZN, a position he has held since 2017. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest Dean in South Africa. 

In 2006, he joined UKZN as a Contract Tutor/Junior Lecturer in Social Justice Education, which marked the start of his professional career there. He advanced through the ranks in the years that followed, eventually holding the title of Senior Lecturer in Gender & Education and Curriculum Studies by 2013.

Msibi holds a PhD in Education from the University of Cambridge, UK and a Master of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, USA.

“He is also a proud alumnus of our institution. He has demonstrated remarkable leadership, including being the President of the Student Representative Council, founding the Masakhane Youth Leadership Course, and founding the Community Development Association.

Msibi continues to represent our institution as a subject matter expert and an active commentator on various topics. He serves as the Deputy Chair of Umalusi and is a member of numerous boards. He has made significant contributions to the scholarly literature on a wide range of subjects, such as gender, sexuality, violence, and education,” added Poku.

An NRF P-rated scholar, Msibi has received numerous awards, including the UKZN’s Distinguished Teacher’s Award, Harvard’s Chen Yidan Visiting Global Fellow Award, Teachers College’s Early Careers Distinguished Alumni Award, and the Human Sciences Research Council Young Scholars Medal.