User:Derek J Moore/Jonathan Jansen

Professor Jonathan Jansen is a distinguished professor of education at Stellenbosch University. He is currently the president of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF). Jansen was elected in 2023 as a member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences He occupied the position as vice chancellor of the University of the Free State from  2009 to 2016. He was appointed as Dean of Education at Pretoria University in 2000 to 2007

Background
Jonathan David Jansen was born on 29 September 1956 in Montagu in the Boland, but grew up on the Cape Flats. He attended primary school at Sullivan Primary School, and then went to Steenberg High School. He describes himself as an average student at high school – more interested in football, swimming at Muizenberg and cycling with his friends. However, his Latin teacher motivated him to excel in his studies, and also to continue his studies.

Jansen completed his B.Sc. (Botany and Zoology) in 1979 at the University of the Western Cape. In 1982 he received a teaching diploma and in 1984 a B.Ed. (Comparative Education) from the University of South Africa. In 1987 he obtained an M.Sc. at Cornell University and in 1991 a Ph.D. (Political Science) at Stanford University.

Capacity Building in Higher Education
Jansen is known for taking a "hands-on approach to transformation" in higher education. Jansen's approach to ‘healing’ tertiary education is informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is humane and not ideological. Reconciliation and redress are characteristics of his approach.

Jansen in 2019 introduced the “Future Professors Programme” (FPP), a national initiative, intended to with develop excellence and leadership in a select pool of academic staff and improve higher educational leadership and quality. Phase 1 of the FPP was hosted at Stellenbosch University and sanctioned by DHET as a staff development initiative. In this phase, the FPP fast-tracked senior researchers to full professorship at South Africa’s public universities. Supporting the growth of these 150 mid-career academics (over a 6 year period), has has cost R900 000 per promising professor. Candiates candidates are drawn from all 26 Public Universities and as a cohort, they participates in


 * A Seminar series (residential programme)
 * Baseline evaluation
 * International engagement

The University of Johannesburg has been selected to offer phase two of this FPP. This programme will comprise of 3 cohorts to be trained over a period of 5 years. It will support top academics in their journey to becoming professors