Top nuclear physicist to lead @WitsUniversity. Professor Zeblon Vilakazi has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

#WitsLeads #WitsForGood #WitsForInnovation

http://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/general-news/2020/2020-06/top-nuclear-physicist-to-lead-wits.html

Vilakazi is the 15th Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University and will take the reins from 1 January 2021 from Professor Adam Habib who leaves @WitsUniversity at the end of the year to lead the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

Vilakazi is the current Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Postgraduate Studies at Wits.
Under his leadership, Wits’ research output has more than doubled, with the University increasingly producing more research with impact. #WitsForDiscovery

Vilakazi was instrumental in ensuring that @WitsUniversity became the first university in Africa to partner with @IBMResearch #IBMQ Network for #quantumcomputing.

Vilakazi also chairs South Africa’s National Quantum Computing Working Committee which seeks to develop a Framework for Quantum Computing and Quantum Technology driven research and innovation in South Africa.

Born in Katlehong, a township located on the East Rand, Professor Vilakazi obtained his PhD from Wits 1998.
He was one of the first students from Africa to conduct PhD research at the European Centre for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Professor Vilakazi is widely published (325 papers) and highly cited with an h-index of 70; and is globally recognised for his expert knowledge in physics and nuclear research.
http://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/general-news/2020/2020-06/top-nuclear-physicist-to-lead-wits.html
#WitsLeads