The University of Pretoria will be commencing the process of electing a President of the Convocation in May 2019. This position, which runs for a term of five years, has been vacant since August 2017. In terms of the Statute (2018), the Vice-Chancellor and Principal is the acting President.

The Convocation is a legally constituted body which includes approximately 300 000 alumni of the University as its largest constituency. Members of the University’s executive, deans of faculties, all current permanent academic staff, professors emeriti and other retired academic employees also form part of the Convocation. As a key stakeholder group, the Convocation has a vested interest in the stature and success of the University. The University’s Convocation structures are regulated by the provisions of the UP Statute (2018) and the Institutional Rules of the University.

In order to ensure that the Convocation structures are representative of all groups and support the University’s vision, mission and strategic objectives as well as foster a sense of belonging and commitment towards their alma mater, the Council of the University approved a new governance structure for the Convocation in 2018.

The President of the Convocation plays a pivotal role as Chairperson of the Convocation Advisory Board (ex officio) and as one of the four Convocation members on Council. As such, he/she will collaborate closely with the Vice-Chancellor and Principal and with the Registrar of the University.

In preparation for the forthcoming election, it is essential that all alumni update their contact details, particularly their cell phone number and email address, on the University of Pretoria’s databases prior to the start of the election. Please note that failure to update your contact details may jeopardise your ability to participate in this key process as you will not be able to access the electronic voting system if your details are incorrectly captured on the voter’s roll. The electronic voting system makes provision for a one-time password to be sent to the cell phone number or email address on record.

To protect the integrity of the system during the voting process, the electronic system will not and cannot be accessed to add any new information after voting has commenced.

Alumni are therefore requested to update their contact details here 

Voters are encouraged to vote for their preferred candidate for the President of the Convocation by following the steps that will be communicated to them in due course