Prof Rishi Balkaran firmly believes that there is no problem that cannot be solved.

His view is that the platform for a successful resolution is that your engagement with others must be solutions-driven, transparent, open and honest.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning recently joined CPUT from the Durban University of Technology where he served as Executive Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences.
Balkaran’s objectives at CPUT are: to drive teaching and learning towards the One Smart CPUT 2030 vision; to enhance the scholarship and practice of teaching and learning and develop staff to become the best at what they do.

All of these serve the expressed purpose of ensuring student success and Balkaran says technology must be at the heart of this.
“Work-integrated learning must be the hallmark of every programme that we offer. We must develop new and innovative ways to deliver our services in order to keep up with the current and changing needs of students.”

He adds that CPUT must be a student centred university where engagement of staff and students becomes part of our everyday life. Key to this is the classroom experience of shifting the balance of power from the lecturer to the student.

“Our systems and processes must be student-friendly and geared towards enhancing the student experience.”

Balkaran has as national chair of the SA Commerce Deans Association and chair of the Tourism Educators South Africa. He has just been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) and serves on the board of the Western Cape Education Council.

When his busy schedule allows Balkaran enjoys playing table tennis and he is an avid fisherman who looks forward to exploring the Cape waters.

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishi Balkaran has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC).

The Board of the CHEC operates under delegated authority from the Councils of the four institutions, CPUT, Stellenbosch University, the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape.

The vision and mission of CHEC is to establish the Western Cape as a strong higher education region in a restructured national system which, through systemic inter-institutional co-operation and academic programme collaboration, will be:

• Distinctively responsive to regional, national and international developments in the knowledge economy of the 21st century.
• Sensitive to historical realities in promoting equity across its institutions.
• Cost-effective and of high quality.

Reflecting on his appointment, Balkaran says: “I am excited about my appointment and will ensure that I deliver to the mandate of CHEC.”

“I hope to continue with the sterling job of the previous chairperson, Prof [Nico] Koopman. As a collective, we have to deliver to vision and mandate. Certainly, we will be looking at the trends affecting Higher Education as well as working together in enhancing student success.

A lot of hard work, perseverance and being a team- player has taken Balkaran to where he is today. “I am always excited about [new] ideas and find ways to do things better. Keeping students and staff [is] at the centre of what we do is critical to me.  There is nothing more inspiring than seeing students succeed in their careers.”

Balkaran, who joined the CPUT in January 2019, has more than 20 years of experience in the Higher Education sector.

He says CPUT has benefitted tremendously from the CHEC initiatives and this benefit extends to its other University members. “We will continue with CHEC’s very successful staff development initiatives and other programmes from the previous years,” says Balkaran.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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