Professor Samson Sitheni Mashele, newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement.

Congratulations to Professor Samson Sitheni Mashele, former Dean of the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, on his appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation, and Engagement, effective 1 November 2025. Professor Mashele's leadership and academic excellence have significantly contributed to the university’s growth, and his new role marks an exciting chapter in advancing the university’s research and innovation agenda.

Prof Mashele is a distinguished scholar and transformative leader in higher education, widely recognised for his outstanding record in academic leadership, research innovation, and institutional transformation. With a career spanning several decades, he has made an indelible impact on the South African higher education landscape through his visionary approach to teaching, research, and digital transformation. He has championed excellence across all academic and research domains, driving innovation that bridges science, technology, and societal impact.

A highly accomplished researcher, Prof Mashele established the Drug Discovery and Development Unit, which has since evolved into a Centre of international repute. Under his stewardship, the Centre has forged global collaborations with leading institutions. His prolific scientific output, comprising over 125 accredited publications in high-impact journals, reflects his sustained contribution to advancing knowledge in drug discovery, pharmacology, and health innovation. A passionate mentor, Prof. Mashele has supervised more than 50 Master’s and Doctoral students and over five postdoctoral fellows, many of whom now occupy leadership positions in academia and industry. Through his mentorship, he continues to nurture the next generation of scientists and innovators across Africa.

His exceptional contributions have earned him multiple national and international accolades, including recognition as Best Facilitator/Lecturer and a prestigious nomination to “Who’s Who in the World,” an acknowledgment of his global influence in science, education, and innovation

A visionary and change-maker, Prof. Mashele epitomises excellence in scholarship, leadership, and impact. His unwavering dedication to advancing knowledge, empowering others, and reimagining the role of universities in society continues to inspire transformation, not only at CUT but across the broader African and global higher education landscape.

Uploaded: 21 October 2025