PROFESSOR Mashudu Sibara has been appointed deputy vice-chancellor academic and research at the University of Limpopo's Turfloop campus.

PROFESSOR Mashudu Sibara has been appointed deputy vice-chancellor academic and research at the University of Limpopo's Turfloop campus.

University spokesperson Kgalema Mohuba said the appointment was aimed at strengthening the academic position of the university.

Sibara succeeds Peter Franks, another professor who retired recently from the university.

Sibara worked as dean of microbiology at the university before he joined the then North West Technikon as DVC academic in 2001.

Following the mergers and setting up of the Tshwane University of Technology in 2004, Sibara acted as interim DVC for research until June 2006.

Sibara has an incredible research and publications record. He has participated and read papers at conferences globally.

This distinguishes him as a scholar of repute.

"This is a homecoming for me. I fully understand the challenges of higher education," Sibara said yesterday.

Vice-chancellor Mahlo Mokgalong said he hoped Sibara would add value to and strengthen the academic leadership of the institution.

Besides the academic leadership being his primary responsibilities, Sibara will also be in charge of institutional planning, quality assurance, information and communication technology and library services.