Striking the industry-academia balance with Prof Hanlie Smuts
There’s something amazing about someone who has successfully navigated not just one career, but two totally different professional realms. Professor Hanlie Smuts, Head of the Informatics Department and Chair of the School of Information Technology at the University of Pretoria (UP), exemplifies this extraordinary accomplishment. She went from senior leadership in the private sector to full professorship in record time, all while retaining a dedication to quality that has distinguished her in her career.
Her academic qualifications demonstrate a rigorous quest for knowledge: two PhDs in Information Systems, an MSc in Information Systems specialising in Knowledge Management, and foundational degrees in Computer Science. However, it is her idea of lifelong learning that actually distinguishes her.
“I believe very strongly in lifelong learning,” Prof Smuts says.
This is a notion that’s propelled her through senior posts in the information and communications technology sector until her full-time academic appointment in September 2017. The change from industry to academia was not accidental; it was an inevitable outcome for someone who had always been interested in growth and mentorship.
“Throughout my private sector work, I was constantly involved in some form of learning and development,” Prof Smuts says. “I am enthusiastic about mentorship and was educated as a mentor, so I’ve always had mentees, particularly women in management and in leadership.”
Even as she rose through the corporate ranks, Prof Smuts remained connected to higher education, sitting on three university advisory boards and giving guest lectures. When the opportunity to join UP arrived, it was more than just a career move – it was a chance to help others.
“When the opportunity to join UP came about, it was the next step in my career journey, moving from an executive role in industry to a role where I could give back what I have learnt.”
The speed of her academic achievements is nothing short of extraordinary. Within a year of joining UP, Prof Smuts received a National Research Foundation (NRF) C2 rating in 2018, and by the end of 2024, she had achieved promotion to full professor.
“When I joined UP, I realised that being an academic is an opportunity for a second career and I focused on obtaining my NRF rating and proactively planning the outputs required for promotion to full professor.”
Today, her role encompasses the full spectrum of academic leadership. Her days are split between teaching, administration, student supervision, committee work and research. But it’s her commitment to ensuring that graduates are industry-ready that reveals her unique perspective.
“To ensure that our graduates are ready for the world of work, I regularly engage with our industry partners through virtual check-ins or by visiting them at their offices.”
A defining moment came when Prof Smuts presented her inaugural lecture in the Senate Hall.
“The process of preparing for the lecture was a period of reflection, thinking about my career in industry, preparing me for an academic career and reaching the pinnacle of an academic career in a fairly short period. I am humbled by the opportunities afforded me to reflect on the interconnectedness of my journey and how each experience, challenge and achievement in industry shaped my perspective, informed my teaching and grounded my research.”
Looking ahead, her next project bridges her dual expertise. Prof Smuts is writing a practical guide for knowledge management practitioners that aims to connect industry and academia. The aim is ambitious: to empower practitioners to use knowledge management as a strategy to support organisational sustainability, with content based on comprehensive research from her second PhD study.
What drives this remarkable achiever? A philosophy encapsulated in advice she received early in her industry career, summarised by a quote from football coach Vince Lombardi: “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.”
Her message to young women reflects this.
“You are more capable than you know, and your voice, ideas and your presence matter. Embrace every opportunity to learn, even when it feels uncomfortable. Excellence is not about perfection in my view – it is about consistency, curiosity and courage.”