By Aretha Linden

A distinguished academic and the Dean of Law at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) Professor Mzukisi Njotini has been recently appointed as a member of the Information and Communication Technology Committee of Council (ICTCoC) within the Council on Higher Education (CHE).

This prestigious appointment recognizes Professor Njotini’s expertise in shaping the critical role of ICT in the future of higher education.  He will serve in this position for a three-year term which came into effect on 12 March 2024.

As a member, Professor Njotini’s primary responsibility is to provide strategic guidance and oversight on ICT matters within the CHE. This includes advising on ICT policies, reviewing technological advancements, and ensuring the effective implementation of ICT strategies to support the CHE’s objectives.

With a rich academic background and a deep commitment to advancing legal education and leveraging technology to enhance learning outcomes, Professor Njotini brings a wealth of knowledge to his new position.

His illustrious career includes serving as the Vice Dean for Teaching and Learning and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) where he pioneered teaching and learning frameworks aligned with the principles of “education for sustainable development.”

Before his time at UJ, Professor Njotini held positions such as Professor and Director of the School of Law at the University of Limpopo (UL) and Senior Lecturer and Lecturer in the College of Law at the University of South Africa. Notably, as Director, he played a pivotal role in the re-accreditation of the LLB programme by the CHE, underscoring his dedication to academic excellence.

Professor Njotini’s areas of specialization encompass critical legal domains including information and communications technology law (ICT), the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), cybersecurity, legal philosophy, and ethics.

His scholarly contributions are extensive, evidenced by numerous journal articles, case notes, books, and book chapters in the field of ICT Law. Noteworthy among his co-edited books are “Law and Industry 4.0: Selected Perspectives on a New Scholarship of Teaching and Learning” and volumes 1 and 2 of the “Yearbook of South African Law.”

Furthermore, Professor Njotini has presented peer-reviewed papers at both national and international conferences, enriching scholarly discourse in his areas of expertise. He has also developed several courses and programmes, including the Research Methodology in Law and Criminal Justice at UNISA and the Programme in Law and the 4IR at UJ. His teaching portfolio encompasses a diverse range of subjects such as Legal Ethics, Corporate Governance, Cyber Law, and Law and Industry 4.0.

Adding to his impressive academic credentials, Professor Njotini completed post-doctoral research with the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. His research endeavors culminated in the publication of three journal articles, further solidifying his reputation as a leading authority in the field.

Commenting on the personal and academic significance of this appointment, he said: “It is often said that organization should re-invent themselves if they are to remain relevant and sustain business. This is particularly so given that organizations operate in an era of free information flow (data-intensive society). Although information overflows assist in easing the access and availability of information, however, getting the right information for data-driven decision-making processes remains a constant challenge. Thus, this appointment marks a personal and academic development in how one could properly determine the extent to which digital technologies improve business strategy and governance.”

Professor Njotini envisions making a tangible impact in his new role by aligning ICT strategies with national policies and legal frameworks. “The appointment has an enormous impact in shaping or re-shaping the nature and content of the ICT strategies of the CHE. It supports the need to lucidly identify and align ICT strategies with the national policy or legal frameworks and CHE’s strategic objectives.”

As the University community we are confident that with his expertise, Prof Njotini will undoubtedly enrich the committee’s deliberations and contribute to the CHE’s efforts to harness the transformative potential of ICT in higher education.