The University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) former Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian O’Connell, passed away at the age of 77.
He died on Sunday, 26 August 2024.
‘KNOWN FOR GETTING HIS HANDS DIRTY’
O’Connell served as Rector from 2001 to 2014, which UWC has hailed as one of the most testing periods in the history of the tertiary institution. UWC Spokesperson, Gasant Abarder broke the news on Monday:
“It is with a great sense of sadness and loss that we announced the passing, on Sunday evening of one of the giants of not only the University of the Western Cape, but also the greater South African and global higher education landscape in Prof Brian O’Connell. Prof – how he was affectionately known – was known for getting his hands dirty and encouraging students to keep the campus litter-free, but that was a metaphor for how he managed his tenure from 2001 to 2014 in which he took a university in transition, and in transition in the context of South Africa as well, to a place that it has now become one of the leading research-led universities in the world. It is financially viable and it is a place where people can thrive through his adage from hope through knowledge to action,” said Abarder.
The university’s current Rector and VC Professor Tyrone Pretorius penned a heartfelt tribute on the institution’s website, adding that the UWC flag will be flown at half-mast this week in honour and remembrance of O’Connell.
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