Prof Francis Petersen

Prof Francis Peterson is a qualified metallurgical and chemical engineer and the current Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State.

As an internationally acclaimed academic, he has received numerous awards such as the Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Award for research excellence and has been appointed on the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI). He also served on various boards including the Board of World Design Capital 2014 where he was subsequently appointed Chairman. He has a wealth of experience in both the private and public sectors and was the Executive Head Strategy at Anglo Platinum Limited.