Prof Sam Tshehla

Prof Sam Tshehla is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Designate: Strategic Initiatives, International and Institutional Affairs, having officially assumed office on 1 April 2026. He is an accomplished academic leader, applied mathematician, and higher education strategist with more than 20 years of experience across academia, government, and institutional leadership. Prior to this appointment, he served as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs at Stellenbosch University from 2025 to March 2026. His career at the university also includes leadership roles as Vice Dean and later Dean of the Faculty of Military Science. Prof Tshehla has extensive expertise in strategic planning, internationalisation, global partnerships, student recruitment, and corporate communication. His research focuses on fluid mechanics, thin-film fluid dynamics, and the mathematical modelling of physiological flows. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics and an Executive MBA from the University of Cape Town, as well as an MSc in Applied Mathematics (cum laude) from the University of Limpopo. In recognition of his contributions to higher education, Prof Tshehla has received the African Leadership Award in Education and has been recognised among the 251 Fabulous Leaders in Education and as a Best Professor in Military Science.