Naledi Pandor Appointed Honorary Professor at University of Pretoria
Former cabinet minister Naledi Pandor has expressed that her appointment as an honorary professor in education at the University of Pretoria (UP) is an incredible honor, and she is excited to return to the institution. As a PhD graduate of UPs Faculty of Education, she will join the Centre for the Advancement of Sustainable Higher Education Futures, contributing to research and the development of students and staff without remuneration.
UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof. Francis Petersen highlighted that Professor Pandor is a leader whose influence on education, policy, and innovation aligns perfectly with the center's mission. He welcomed her at a gathering on UP’s Hatfield campus, noting that her appointment followed a rigorous external peer-review process and was vetted by the Senior Appointments Committee of the UP Senate. UPs Registrar has confirmed that she is authorized to use the title of Professor.
Prof. Pandor earned her PhD in Education from UP in 2019, completing her doctoral thesis on the contested meaning of transformation in higher education in post-apartheid South Africa. Prof. Petersen remarked on her passion for education, which stems from her background as a teacher and her lifelong curiosity in the field. He emphasized that her honorary professorship reflects her academic abilities, contributions to transformation, and her leadership with strong ethical values.
He acknowledged the challenges she faced while balancing her responsibilities as a cabinet minister and a PhD student, commending her meticulous planning and dedication to her studies. Prof. Petersen expressed excitement about learning from her extensive experience and engaging in collaborations that will shape the future of higher education.
Prof. Pandor, who served as a cabinet minister from 2004 until July 2024 in various portfolios, reflected on her time as a student, stating that it matured her significantly. She shared her thoughts on entering academia after retiring from government, explaining that after working for over 40 years, she contemplated her next steps before accepting the position at UP.
Her former PhD supervisor, Prof. Chika Sehoole, noted that Prof. Pandor has four honorary doctorates but chose to use the title Dr only after formally obtaining her doctorate from UP. He praised her exemplary commitment as a PhD student, emphasizing her dedication to fulfilling all doctoral requirements personally.
UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof. Francis Petersen highlighted that Professor Pandor is a leader whose influence on education, policy, and innovation aligns perfectly with the center's mission. He welcomed her at a gathering on UP’s Hatfield campus, noting that her appointment followed a rigorous external peer-review process and was vetted by the Senior Appointments Committee of the UP Senate. UPs Registrar has confirmed that she is authorized to use the title of Professor.
Prof. Pandor earned her PhD in Education from UP in 2019, completing her doctoral thesis on the contested meaning of transformation in higher education in post-apartheid South Africa. Prof. Petersen remarked on her passion for education, which stems from her background as a teacher and her lifelong curiosity in the field. He emphasized that her honorary professorship reflects her academic abilities, contributions to transformation, and her leadership with strong ethical values.
He acknowledged the challenges she faced while balancing her responsibilities as a cabinet minister and a PhD student, commending her meticulous planning and dedication to her studies. Prof. Petersen expressed excitement about learning from her extensive experience and engaging in collaborations that will shape the future of higher education.
Prof. Pandor, who served as a cabinet minister from 2004 until July 2024 in various portfolios, reflected on her time as a student, stating that it matured her significantly. She shared her thoughts on entering academia after retiring from government, explaining that after working for over 40 years, she contemplated her next steps before accepting the position at UP.
Her former PhD supervisor, Prof. Chika Sehoole, noted that Prof. Pandor has four honorary doctorates but chose to use the title Dr only after formally obtaining her doctorate from UP. He praised her exemplary commitment as a PhD student, emphasizing her dedication to fulfilling all doctoral requirements personally.
