Professor Pistorius was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria in August 2001. Before that, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the University and as the founding Director of the Institute for Technological Innovation. He is also a former chairperson of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI).

He obtained bachelors and honours degrees in electronic engineering from the University of Pretoria (both cum laude) in 1979 and 1981 respectively, master’s and Ph.D degrees in electrical engineering from The Ohio State University in 1984 and 1986 respectively, and a master’s degree in the management of technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1994. He is also an alumnus of the Harvard Business School, having completed the Advanced Management Program (AMP) in October 2003.

The University of Pretoria is one of South Africa’s leading research universities, with a strong internationalisation focus. During the last decade, the University of Pretoria consistently produced more research outputs annually (as recognised by the Department of Education), than any other university in the country. The University has made significant progress with its transformation. The University strives to be the academic home of the rich diversity of South African academic talent, and actively recruits students from all racial, economic and social backgrounds, locally as well as from abroad. Not only have the University’s student numbers grown substantially in recent years, but the number of black students have also increased significantly. The University of Pretoria is a leader with respect to its campus enterprises, maintains strong links with industry and is characterised by its exemplary financial management.

The Chair of the Council of the University of Pretoria, Ms Futhi Mtoba, is quoted as saying: “It is with regret that we noted that Professor Pistorius will be stepping down as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria. He has served the University with distinction for more than 21 years. Professor Pistorius was appointed as Vice-Chancellor and Principal in August 2001, and will have served in this position for more than eight years when he steps down at the end of August 2009. During his tenure as Vice-Chancellor and Principal he successfully led the University during the restructuring of the higher education landscape in South Africa. The University of Pretoria has continued to grow in academic stature and reputation, locally as well as internationally. At the same time, the University has made great strides with its transformation imperatives.

The University of Pretoria would like to thank Professor Pistorius for his dedicated service and to express its appreciation for his leadership and contributions during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor and Principal. The University wishes him well in his new position at the University of Hull.

The Council of the University of Pretoria will meet on 11 March 2009, at which time the process for the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor and Principal will be finalised.”