Sol Plaatje University (SPU) is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor José Frantz as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, effective 1 February 2026.
Professor Frantz joins SPU from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), where she has served with distinction as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation since 2017. With more than three decades of experience in higher education, she brings exceptional leadership in advancing research excellence, innovation, and postgraduate education.
Under her leadership at UWC, Professor Frantz significantly strengthened research capacity, securing over R50 million in external research funding, expanding international collaborations, and increasing the proportion of PhD-qualified staff. She has supervised more than 60 postgraduate students to completion and played a pivotal role in developing inclusive excellence frameworks that advance transformation within the academic community.
Her extensive experience in building research ecosystems, establishing international partnerships, and championing innovation strongly aligns with SPU’s goal of driving knowledge creation that contributes to the socio-economic development of South Africa and beyond. As an anchor institution in the Northern Cape, committed to innovation and research that enhances democratic practice and social justice, the appointment of an academic of Prof Frantz’s caliber underscores the university’s laser-focus on excellence and impact. Known for her values-driven leadership and passion for mentorship, Professor Frantz believes that true innovation flourishes where research excellence meets compassion and collaboration. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in developing others—empowering emerging scholars, nurturing the next generation of academics, and ensuring that research translates into real societal impact. She is deeply committed to creating spaces where people can thrive, knowing that transformation is sustained when institutions invest in people and purpose.
Professor Frantz holds a PhD in Physiotherapy from the University of the Western Cape and has completed advanced leadership programmes at Oxford University, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Oldenburg.
SPU Acting and Vice-Chancellor Designate, Professor Debra Meyer, commended Council on the appointment, saying:
“Professor Frantz’s visionary leadership and proven track record in research and innovation is exactly what’s needed to further strengthen SPU as an emerging center of academic excellence and societal impact.”
Sol Plaatje University warmly congratulates Professor Frantz on her appointment and looks forward to her leadership in advancing SPU’s research, innovation, and postgraduate agenda.
