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Dr Leslie van Rooi appointed as Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation
Author: Korporatiewe Kommunikasie / Corporate Communication
Published: 23/06/2017

Dr Leslie van Rooi, Head of the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership (FVZS Institute) at Stellenbosch University (SU), was recently appointed as Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation. He will assume his duties on 1 July.  

Van Rooi will have the overall responsibility for the SU Museum, the SU Woordfees, the Social Impact Division, and the Transformation Office. His portfolio also involves support to the Vice-Rector: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel, Prof Nico Koopman.

In addition, Van Rooi will be responsible for implementing the SU Social Impact Strategic Plan, including an institutional transformation plan, Among other things, this will involve establishing strategic internal and external partnerships to achieve the goals provided under these plans, measuring and strengthening SU's progress and impact relating to transformation and social impact, and preparing SU for continuous renewal.

Koopman says Van Rooi is well-equipped to shoulder these responsibilities: "We are very grateful that a person of his calibre will be holding this important position. This position, which was previously that of Senior Director: Community Interaction, now operates within the new social impact and transformation framework. Dr Van Rooi has sound expertise and experience of these themes. We are excited that he will be serving the University's aspirations of being a transformative institution that will have a transforming impact on society."

Van Rooi held the position of Head of the FVZS Institute, situated in the Student Matters Division, for eight years. "This made it possible for me to liaise with students at SU and young people all over South Africa at various levels. At this level, Social Impact and Transformation – also by teaching and learning, and in practice, for example in our residences – created concrete opportunities for students to think innovatively about our institution and their role in society."

Although SU has made progress with transformation at many levels, Van Rooi believes there are still many challenges ahead. "Our relevance to and impact on society as a whole are still restricted to a certain extent in that we still do not fully appreciate the value and impact of transformation at various levels.

"I think my portfolio has an important role to play here. The activities of the divisions that are part of my responsibility can jointly and in partnership with other SU environments be the driving force for current and innovative initiatives. For this reason, I believe the SU Woordfees – including WOW, Buya! and the University choir – and the SU Museum, similarly to other SU entities, are excellent vehicles for radical social impact in various fields, and could be extended even further."