AI in FMHS Business Management
Engelbrecht leads with evidence-based approach
As Senior Director: Business Management at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Stefan Engelbrecht combines extensive operational leadership experience with a growing focus on digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence to improve organisational effectiveness.
His interest in digital transformation has been informed by both practice and research. Through his latest qualification, a Master of Business Leadership completed at the University of South Africa's Graduate School of Business Leadership, he worked under supervision of Mr Leon Lukas to conduct a study titled Leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence for Strategic Decision-Making in South African Medical School Administration, examining the role of AI in supporting more effective and informed faculty operations.
The study explored how Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) can support administrative processes and enhance decision-making in medical school administration, with a view to harnessing emerging technologies in support of more efficient, responsive, and sustainable operations.
The study indicated that AI was already having a measurable positive impact on administrative processes through the automation of routine tasks, time savings, and improved access to information. Staff members who used AI more frequently also reported greater improvements in efficiency and related decision-making, suggesting that the benefits of AI increase as confidence and familiarity with the technology grow.
At the same time, the research showed that successful implementation depends as much on people as it does on technology. Training, skills development, change management, and user trust emerged as critical success factors, while concerns relating to data privacy, ethical use, bias, and accountability highlighted the importance of clear governance frameworks and institutional guidelines to support responsible adoption.
"I am a bit of a tech nerd, and always ready to roll up my sleeves to make things happen," says Engelbrecht. "I leverage my passion for AI and technology to find smart, innovative ways to solve the complex challenges facing the Faculty in a dynamic environment."
For Engelbrecht, AI forms part of a broader approach to organisational improvement. Rather than viewing technology as an end in itself, he is interested in how evidence-based applications of AI can streamline processes, strengthen decision-making, reduce administrative burden, and create capacity for staff to focus on the Faculty’s core missions of research, learning and teaching, and healthcare.
"I am a bit of a tech nerd, and always ready to roll up my sleeves to make things happen.
I leverage my passion for AI and technology to find smart, innovative ways to
solve the complex challenges facing the Faculty."
Through a combination of leadership experience, operational insight, and research into AI-enabled business processes, Engelbrecht is contributing to the Faculty’s efforts to streamline systems and strengthen the foundations that support excellence in health sciences education, service, and research.
“AI is not the only game in town,” he notes. “But wherever we can use it to our advantage, we should, especially from an operational point of view.”
His work reflects a practical interest in harnessing technology to address the growing complexity facing higher education institutions. His experience spans financial management, organisational operations, research support environments, and strategic planning. As student numbers, research activity, infrastructure, and operational demands continue to expand, Engelbrecht sees opportunities for digital innovation to help institutions remain agile, effective, and sustainable. Within the Faculty, the core team who will help realise his vision includes Steveland Louis, Deputy Director: Business Management, and Nadia Boezak, personal assistant.
As Senior Director: Business Management in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and in light of the Faculty's robust contribution as a prime generator of third stream income for the University, Engelbrecht is a member of the overall SU management team. Having served in a range of business management and leadership roles across the University, Engelbrecht has been equipped for this high-level contribution by the deep understanding of the systems, processes, and operational challenges developed within the FMHS as a large and complex faculty.
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