Prof Jonathan Jansen to step down as UFS Vice Chancellor
Prof Jonathan Jansen will step down as Vice Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State at the end of August.
He will take up an invitation as a Fellow at the Centre for Advanced Studies in the Behavioural Sciences at the US’s Stanford University in September 2016, Judge Ian van der Merwe, the chairperson of the UFS council said in a statement.
“The fellowship, which was awarded to him earlier this year, is an opportunity for him to further advance his career as an internationally renowned academic in education,” the statement said.
Van der Merwe said Jansen’s departure was a great loss for the university.
Jansen’s move comes a few months after UFS student protesters called for him to step down.
In an exclusive interview with News24 in April, Jansen denied rumours that he was stepping down.
"I am not going anywhere. These speculations about me leaving have gone on forever. I receive e-mails every day asking me if I am leaving,” he said.
He was appointed rector and vice chancellor in July 2009.