Dr Michael Jordaan's exceptional contributions to business leadership were recently recognised when he was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Management at the Autumn Graduation Ceremonies held at the Central University of Technology, Free State- Bloemfontein Campus.

Dr Michael Jordaan is one of the most accomplished leaders in the business world today. At just 36 years old, he became the CEO of First National Bank (FNB), a testament to his exceptional talent and skill. Under his guidance, FNB was named the 'World's Most Innovative Bank' at the 2012 BAI-Finacle Global Banking Innovation Awards, cementing Jordaan's reputation as a visionary leader.

In 2011, he made the Top Five list of SA Newsmakers of the Year for FNB's social media presence, highlighting his ability to stay ahead of the curve in a constantly evolving digital landscape.

His impact is not limited to FNB - he was selected as a Global Leader of the World Economic Forum in July 2008. He received CNBC's All-Africa Business Leader of the Year award in 2014. Currently serving on the boards of several companies, including CodeX, Invenfin, Compuscan, and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Jordaan's expertise and leadership continue to shape the business world as we know it.

Dr Michael Jordaan is a distinguished business leader with an impressive track record. Having led eight different companies throughout his career, he currently holds several key positions such as Chairman of Clickatell, Inc., Compuscan Holdings Pty Ltd., and Bank Zero. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Montegray Capital Pty Ltd. and serves as a Principal at The SA SME Fund, Investment Committee. Furthermore, he is the Chairperson at Hlayisani Capital and Chairman at MXit Lifestyle (Pty) Ltd. Dr Jordaan is a valuable asset to the board of Snapplify (Pty) Ltd. With his extensive experience and expertise, he is undoubtedly an exceptional leader in the business world.

“Dr. Jordaan epitomises the kind of graduates that we aspire to produce at CUT - ambitious, visionary, and driven. His exceptional leadership skills enabled FNB to earn the coveted title of the world’s most innovative bank in 2012. Not only that, Dr. Jordaan is a successful entrepreneur in his own right, having founded Montegray Capital and Bank Zero. By nurturing such trailblazers, CUT is firmly on track to achieve its goal of becoming an internationally renowned entrepreneurial university,” said Prof. Albert Strydom, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences

He remained humble and expressed gratitude and honour for the recognition. "I feel deeply grateful and honoured, but above all, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to accept this recognition," he said.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Jordaan delivered invaluable advice to the graduates, urging them to prioritise education reform, emphasising early childhood education as the key to societal prosperity. He stressed the importance of positioning oneself to attract positive outcomes. He encouraged the graduates to focus on the potential benefits of their decisions rather than solely on the possible downsides.  Dr Jordaan's call to take calculated risks and create opportunities for graduates resonated with the audience, instilling a sense of optimism for the future.