Sandile Songca

Background

About Sandile Songca

Passionate about public higher education leadership and the provision of quality education and student experience. Have extensive experience in working with students, teachers and other stakeholders to improve outcomes for students in higher education through capacity building of educators in their pedagogical practice as well as strengthening their leadership skills. Interested in the importance of the total student experience including the first year experience. Also interested in the impact of strategy and policy on educational outcomes. Curriculum Development and consultancy experience in Science, Public Policy and Tutoring at tertiary level. I am also an avid science researcher who promotes high end postgraduates in biomedical research studies. I have 10 years experience as DVC and an additional 4 years as an executive in higher education. This experience was gained across 8 different Universities. I am the current chairperson of the national DVC Forum. I am a successful fundraiser with more thanZAR60M for personal research and more than ZAR153M for institutions. I have 120 publications, 92 journal articles and 20 book chapters, and more than 100 others. Google scholar citations = 2523, h-index = 25, i10-index = 51. I am a C2 NRF rated scientist, expecting to raise this rating in my next application. I have served as member of the NSRC of the HEQC of the CHE for two consecutive terms. My report of the institutional audit of a public University in 2022 as chair of the panel was accepted by the HEQC. I have served in many governing boards of private companies and University Councils. I am a fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and have been a member of many other societies. Other areas of excellence include advanced computing, public speaking, administration, human resource management, remote and paperless communications, teaching, research, financial management and accounting for non-specialists, acquisition of research equipment, science education research, evaluator and reviewer research proposals and articles for journals, motivator, high integrity and moral character, and leadership. Finally I am a team leader who was raised through the ranks of team work. I have lead large teams of as many as 8 directors reporting to me, each with as many as 3 deputy directors. The portfolios I have lead include teaching, learning, research, community engagement, quality assurance, safety health and environment, scholarships, extended learning and short learning programs, library and information services, student academic support, and staff development.