The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), congratulates Ms Ulandi Exner on her appointment as the new Chairperson of Council, effective 02 November 2026.

Ms Ulandi Exner brings extensive expertise in corporate and higher-education governance, risk management and information-technology governance. Her appointment is expected to further strengthen the university’s governance, strategic leadership and institutional oversight.

As Chairperson of Council, she will provide strategic leadership, guide constructive deliberations and promote the principles of ethical leadership, accountability and sound institutional governance. She will also play a critical role in ensuring effective oversight of the university’s performance, risk management and long-term sustainability.

Her expertise in technology governance and emerging risks provides valuable insight for Council deliberations, particularly as higher education institutions navigate digital transformation, cybersecurity, data protection and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.

She has been a member of the CUT Council since March 2021, serving on the Audit, ICT and Risk Committee. She has also served as acting Chairperson of the Social and Ethics Committee and as Interim Chairperson of the ICT Governance Committee. Her experience within these structures has given her an in-depth understanding of CUT’s governance environment, strategic priorities and institutional responsibilities.

Her higher education governance experience extends beyond CUT. She previously served as Deputy Chairperson of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Council and as Chairperson of its Governance Committee. These roles have further deepened her understanding of university governance, institutional accountability and the Council's responsibilities for providing strategic direction and oversight.

In addition to her higher education experience, Ms Exner brings more than 25 years of corporate experience and has run her own consulting business since 2017, providing advisory services in corporate and IT governance.

Her academic and professional credentials include an MPhil in IT Governance from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), along with professional certifications in auditing, information security, risk management, privacy and IT governance. She is a Certified Director and a member of the Institute of Directors South Africa. She is also a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch’s Africa Directors Programme and is pursuing a PhD at Nelson Mandela University (NMU).

Her governance experience also spans several public-sector institutions, including the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), Robben Island, the National Film and Video Foundation, the South African Police Service, and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA), where she has held various committee and oversight roles.

She has also served as a Non-Executive Director at ERWAT, chairing the Risk and ICT Committee and the Governance and Compliance Committee. These appointments reflect the breadth of her experience across institutional oversight, risk management, regulatory compliance and governance.

CUT looks forward to Ms Exner’s leadership and contributions as the university continues to advance its strategic priorities, strengthen institutional governance and position itself for a changing higher education landscape.

The university wishes her every success in her new role.