Desere Kokt is Professor of Human Resource Management at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT). She holds a Doctorate in Human Resource Management and has twenty-four years teaching experience at university level. Apart from graduating more than 20 master’s and doctoral students she has published more than 50 papers in peer-reviewed and other journals and delivered 40 papers at national and international conferences. She is the editor of three books and more than seven book chapters. 

She is a Master Human Resources Practitioner with the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP).She is also part of the editorial board for the Journal for New Generation Sciences (JNGS) and a C3 rated researcher. 

Her research focuses on human resource management issues in a variety of industries, notably the tourism and hospitality industry and universities. Due to a multitude of human resource challenges organisations face, her research has a distinct applied nature. It aims to offer scientific insight and understanding of the human resource management issues managers face daily, amidst the complexity of individual and group behaviour. She also has a special interest in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies and its potential impact on the future of human resource management.

‘I believe in dedication and hard work’. This is something she instils in her students, especially in a highly competitive world of work. Personal growth and continuous development are also something she feels passionate about thus supporting the notion of life-long learning. 

‘My motto mirrors those of Socrates – The unexamined life is not worth living’.

Deseré loves travelling, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She is a grandmother to JR, which is eight months old.