Dr Van Gensen joins CPUT from the Central University of Technology (CUT) in the Free State where he was employed as Senior Director: Advancement & Marketing for four years. Before that he worked as Senior Director: Corporate Relations at the same institution.
Prior to his stint of eight years at CUT, Dr van Gensen was the Regional Manager of Prestasi Brokers (now Indwe Risk Services). His region covered the Free State, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape.
Under his leadership, the Advancement department will strive to excel and to achieve greater heights. “We are in a good position despite the current economic climate, my plan is to take the Advancement department to the next level,” Dr Van Gensen said.
Dr Van Gensen holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration from CUT, an MBA from the University of Wales and a BA (Hons) from the University of the Western Cape. He describes joining CPUT as coming back home because although he was born in Cradock, Eastern Cape, his career began when he worked as a teacher at Bishop Lavis High School in Cape Town.
Asked about his views on the current state of higher education in South Africa, Dr Van Gensen said the country’s higher education institutions’ through put rate needs intervention.
He added that initiatives like the CPUT’s newly launched Centre for Multi-Grade Education were much needed. “It is such interventionist programs that are needed and fortunately donors are also keen to give support as these programs are in line with their own corporate social investment policies,” he said.
Dr Van Gensen looks forward to adding value at CPUT through his studies, experience and expertise in the higher education and private sector. He has researched, delivered papers locally and internationally and published articles on branding practices in a new South African higher education landscape.
His wife, Dr Dawn van Gensen and two children, Gareth and Megan are still in Bloemfontein and the family hopes to be re-united permanently in Cape Town next year. Dr Van Gensen agrees with findings that Cape Town is the best city in Africa and the Middle East in which to work and stay
By Noloyiso Mchunu
Photo: New Director of Advancement Dr Garth van Gensen
