Professor Narend Baijnath, the former Council on Higher Education (CHE) Chief Executive Officer, has died.
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr. Blade Nzimande, on Tuesday, sent his “heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues” of Professor Baijnath.
Dr. Nzimande said, “Professor Baynath’s death robbed South Africans of one of the finest, tireless administrators in the Post School Education and Training (PSET) and the National System of Innovation (NSI)”.
The minister said having been raised in the rural Esenembe, near the KwaZulu Natal town of Tongaat, Professor Baijnath developed his love for reading as a child.
His admiration of reading was a building block in his general interest for academia.
“Prof Baijnath was a mentor and renowned scholar of note amongst his peers.
“On numerous occasions, he demonstrated his deep understanding of both the educational and socio-political understanding of challenges affecting our PSET.
“Not only did he illustrate his understanding but also provided written literature of his thoughts.”
Before joining the CHE, Professor Baijnath was Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa.
Prior to that he occupied the positions of Vice Principal: Strategy, Planning and Partnerships, and Vice Principal: Research and Planning successively at the same institution.
Prof Baijnath had a Master’s degree from Durham University, and a Doctorate from the University of the Western Cape.
He taught at the universities of Cape Town and Western Cape and was Director Academic Planning at UWC when he left to join Technikon SA in 1998 as Dean of Community Sciences.
After serving his term in the latter capacity, he was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor: Planning and Development.
In July 2012 he was nominated the South African representative on the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) Board of Governors. He has served on the CoL EXCO, on the Audit Committee (Chairperson), and as Deputy Chairperson of the Board.
In July 2020 he was elected the Chairperson of the CoL BoG.
Professor Baijnath was a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.
In 2008 he was appointed a Fellow at St Edmunds College, Cambridge University and simultaneously a research professor at Open University (OUUK).
Professor Baynath’s send-off will be held today, Tuesday 3 May 2022 at 7A Arabella Queen Ann Road, Bryanston at 11h00 then the procession will proceed to Brixton Crematorium at 13h00.
Professor Narend Baijnath, the former Council on Higher Education (CHE) Chief Executive Officer, has died.
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr. Blade Nzimande, on Tuesday, sent his “heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues” of Professor Baijnath.
Dr. Nzimande said, “Professor Baynath’s death robbed South Africans of one of the finest, tireless administrators in the Post School Education and Training (PSET) and the National System of Innovation (NSI)”.
The minister said having been raised in the rural Esenembe, near the KwaZulu Natal town of Tongaat, Professor Baijnath developed his love for reading as a child.
His admiration of reading was a building block in his general interest for academia.
“Prof Baijnath was a mentor and renowned scholar of note amongst his peers.
“On numerous occasions, he demonstrated his deep understanding of both the educational and socio-political understanding of challenges affecting our PSET.
“Not only did he illustrate his understanding but also provided written literature of his thoughts.”
Before joining the CHE, Professor Baijnath was Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of South Africa.
Prior to that he occupied the positions of Vice Principal: Strategy, Planning and Partnerships, and Vice Principal: Research and Planning successively at the same institution.
Prof Baijnath had a Master’s degree from Durham University, and a Doctorate from the University of the Western Cape.
He taught at the universities of Cape Town and Western Cape and was Director Academic Planning at UWC when he left to join Technikon SA in 1998 as Dean of Community Sciences.
After serving his term in the latter capacity, he was appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor: Planning and Development.
In July 2012 he was nominated the South African representative on the Commonwealth of Learning (CoL) Board of Governors. He has served on the CoL EXCO, on the Audit Committee (Chairperson), and as Deputy Chairperson of the Board.
In July 2020 he was elected the Chairperson of the CoL BoG.
Professor Baijnath was a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.
In 2008 he was appointed a Fellow at St Edmunds College, Cambridge University and simultaneously a research professor at Open University (OUUK).
Professor Baynath’s send-off will be held today, Tuesday 3 May 2022 at 7A Arabella Queen Ann Road, Bryanston at 11h00 then the procession will proceed to Brixton Crematorium at 13h00.
