Professor Jonathan Jansen will step down as vice-chancellor and rector of the University of the Free State (UFS) on August 31.UFS council chairperson Judge Ian van der Merwe confirmed his departure on Monday. Jansen will take up an invitation as a Fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University in the USA in September‚ he said in a statement released by the university.The Big Read: Racists need to be taught a lesson, but many varsities don’t do their jobThe one thing that Matthew Theunissen and Ntokozo Qwabe have in common is degrees from top universities. “The fellowship‚ which was awarded to him earlier this year‚ is an opportunity for him to further advance his career as an internationally renowned academic in education. Prof Jansen’s departure is a great loss for the university‚ but the council accepts his decision to step down and pursue his academic career as well as other opportunities‚” he said.“The council is grateful for the vision and the inspirational leadership that Prof Jansen provided during his tenure at the UFS. He has led the university through difficult and complex times – from after the Reitz incident up until the recent student protest actions. He brought stability and respect for the university – nationally as well as internationally.”The council commended him for his drive to further the academic performance and transformation at the university.“To this end‚ he was instrumental in the improvement of student success and graduation rates‚ the increase in the percentage of academic staff with doctoral qualifications‚ the increase in research outputs‚ the growth in staff diversity‚ and the growth in third-stream income‚” Van der Merwe said.“Furthermore‚ Prof Jansen played a significant part in developing the UFS as a place where the embrace of diversity and the integration of the university provide a backdrop for academic excellence. Under his leadership‚ the UFS made great strides in fulfilling its social responsibility to serve the community. He was the right leader at the right time for the university.“On behalf of the council and the entire university community‚ I thank him for his contributions as a capable‚ energetic and dedicated leader and wish him the best for his future.“Prof Jansen was appointed as vice-chancellor and rector on 1 July 2009 and his term of office was extended for another five years by the council on 1 July 2014.“In the event that the position is not filled by the end of August 2016‚ Prof Nicky Morgan‚ current vice-rector: operations at UFS‚ will act as vice-chancellor and rector. The council will shortly start the process to appoint a successor through a national and international search‚” the statement said.- TMG Digital..