The Council of Stellenbosch University (SU) made two senior appointments at its scheduled meeting on Monday (9 May 2016).

Prof Nico Koopman, currently acting Vice-Rector: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel, has been  appointed permanently in this position, while Prof Hester Klopper, an internationally recognised academic and professional leader with extensive networks in global health, policy, nursing and healthcare, has been appointed to lead the new Strategic Initiatives and Internationalisation portfolio.

"Both Professors Koopman and Klopper bring proven knowledge and experience to the management of the University," says Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

"Prof Koopman already serves with distinction in the portfolio and has made significant contributions in terms of social impact and interaction with the communities the University serves, while he has also brought about noteworthy progress with regard to the critically important transformation process at the University. In addition, he is ideally positioned to coordinate the overall management of one of the University's greatest assets, its staff members.

"Prof Klopper has achieved international success with regard to her involvement in and management of various organisations here and abroad. She has a dynamic record in higher education management and I am confident that she will manage and develop Strategic Initiatives and Internationalisation, a new portfolio, with success."  

Koopman said he is "grateful for the opportunity to make a contribution in this exciting, interesting and challenging portfolio. The wellness of our people, staff, students and partners is a priority. People who are well looked after and properly equipped are essential for the transformational and humanising social impact that Stellenbosch University would like to make in all areas of life, locally, in the rest of Africa and globally."

About her appointment Klopper says: "It is an honour and privilege to be appointed to the position - all the more so at Stellenbosch University. I look forward to being part of the excellent management team and to contributing towards the implementation of the University's institutional intent and strategy with a particular emphasis on strategic initiatives and internationalisation. To accept a full-time position at the University after a number of years' involvement in the non-governmental environment, feels like coming home. It is truly a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in a critical time in our country and in higher education."

Prof Nico Koopman

Koopman, who started his career at SU in 2001 as a senior lecturer, has been Acting Vice-Rector: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel since June 2015. In 2010, he was appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Theology. He is known as an outstanding church and academic leader with national and international acclaim. As a respected researcher, he has published widely on theological and ethical issues, and has won several awards for his contributions, including the Andrew Murray Prize for Theological Literature.

Alongside the late SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Russel Botman, Prof Koopman was one of the key role players in the establishment of the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology in the Faculty of Theology.

Prof Hester Klopper

Klopper is the Chief Executive Officer of Fundisa (Forum for University Nursing Deans of SA) and, among others, served as President of the International Board of Directors of Sigma Theta Tau International from 2013 to 2015.  She is an extraordinary professor at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University and the University of the Western Cape, where she was Dean of the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences prior to her current position. She is Editor-in-chief of IJANS (International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences). In September this year she will receive an honorary doctorate from Oxford Brooks University in the UK for her contribution to nursing education and research globally.

Klopper completed her undergraduate education at the Ann Latsky College of Nursing in Johannesburg; Sterkfontein Nursing College in Krugersdorp; and the University of South Africa (Unisa).  She completed her Magister Curationis (MCur) in 1993 and her PhD in 1994 at the University of Johannesburg (formerly known as Rand Afrikaans University).  In 2002, she was awarded her MBA at Luton University in the UK.

The University's other Vice-Rectors are Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-Rector: Learning and Teaching, and Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies.