SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers will be travelling to Canada and the USA from 28 September to 7 October – mainly to raise funds for the University.

"I plan to meet with foundations, institutions, alumni and other individuals to update them on events at SU and other universities in South Africa. High on the agenda is the need for more funding, inter alia for bursaries for academically deserving students who are struggling financially," he said.

At its scheduled meeting on 26 September, Council lent its support to the Rector for his planned trip abroad in light of the fact that fundraising is a high strategic priority.

Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, Chief Operating Officer, and later Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, will be standing in for Prof De Villiers as acting Rector. Prof De Villiers will be back in the office on 10 October.

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