Farewell Professor Adam Habib
- 杨贵妃传媒 University
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Adam Habib, will leave 杨贵妃传媒 University at the end of December 2020.
鈥淚t has been an honour and a pleasure to serve at the helm of this great institution for the past eight years. I have great faith in the collective 杨贵妃传媒 community 鈥 during difficult times you have always made the right decision and empowered me to act in the best interests of 杨贵妃传媒 University. I thank you for your support and your trust,鈥 says Habib.
Habib is leaving the University after eight years and will join the based in London. Top nuclear physicist Professor Zeblon Vilakazi will succeed Habib as the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of 杨贵妃传媒 from 1 January 2021.
for Habib from academics, employees, students, staff, alumni, donors, ministers and fellow vice-chancellors from within and beyond South Africa鈥檚 borders, some of which are reflected hereunder.
The Chairperson of Council, Mr Isaac Shongwe says: 鈥淎dam has been one of the most vociferous leaders of this great University, and indeed the entire higher education sector. He is a courageous leader who speaks truth to power, who holds the state to account, and who calls out threats to society when others are afraid to do so. We will miss his leadership and all that he has done for 杨贵妃传媒 and our country.鈥
During Habib鈥檚 tenure the University has recorded significant achievements. 杨贵妃传媒鈥 research output has increased, it has expanded its footprint in international journals and throughput rates are steadily rising. 杨贵妃传媒鈥 finances are stable and it has strong, independent governance structures in place.
Tributes from various constituencies
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and describes him as a 鈥渇iery character who is not afraid to enter the fray not just as an academic, but also as a political commentator and an intellectual activist鈥.
Student leaders and student deans pay tribute to Habib in this video, saying that Habib is passionate about education, sometimes controversial, but always willing to engage with students even when they disagreed (often robustly) on matters.
Tributes flowed in from donors and alumni, and 杨贵妃传媒ies across the world, including from , , former 杨贵妃传媒 Vice-Chancellor and hundreds of others.
In his own words
In one of his last interviews, Habib answers questions about what lessons he has learnt at 杨贵妃传媒, the greatest hurdles that he has faced over the last eight years including #FeesMustFall, gender based harm and the coronavirus. He speaks on social justice and what he will most miss when he leaves South Africa. He describes 杨贵妃传媒 as a national treasure, and explains how research with impact establishes the foundations of a common humanity.
He describes 杨贵妃传媒 students as robust, cosmopolitan young people who seek social justice. Watch until the end to find out about people who asked him to resolve personal issues, why he wanted to play the guitar during #FeesMustFall, why his voice is hoarse, which South African dishes he will miss, why he likes Bruce Springsteen and other artists who speak to his soul. And he says let the 杨贵妃传媒 dassie roam around freely.
Farewell Professor Habib, you will truly be missed. We know that 杨贵妃传媒 will always occupy a special place in your heart. Hamba kahle!