Inaugural Lecture : Prof Burger van Lill

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Jacobus Burger van Lill was born on 21 September 1954 in Beaufort West in the Karoo.  He matriculated at Durbanville High School, Durbanville in 1972 and did a year of national service during 1973.  The next year he began his academic studies at the University of Stellenbosch and graduated with a BA in 1976, majoring in Psychology and Afrikaans-Nederlands.  In 1977 he completed an Honours in Psychology (cum laude) and an MA (Psychology) was conferred in March 1979. 
He started his working life as a researcher at the Institute of Communications Research of the Human Sciences Research Council in January 1979.  A move to the Department of Psychology, University of South Africa in February 1980 marked the beginning of his academic career as a Junior Lecturer.  Here he lectured for 16 years during which time he graduated with DLitt et Phil in April 1988 with a thesis on the philosophy of science of psychology.  He expanded his academic and professional horizons by doing the MBL (Master of Business Leadership) degree which was conferred in May 1996.  During his career at UNISA he was promoted from Junior Lecturer to Lecturer and Senior Lecturer, he wrote a number of articles and a textbook and did some business consultations. 
When he left UNISA he worked in the private sector as a business consultant and did some business research from January 1996 to April 1998.  He did not abandon academics completely as he taught a few part-time classes and assisted a number of students with their research projects at the Business School of the University of Stellenbosch.
In May 1998 he returned to academics on a full time basis when he was appointed as Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of Industrial Psychology at the University of Venda.  He completed another textbook with a colleague during this time.  After two years at UNIVEN he was appointed as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Industrial Psychology at the University of the Western Cape where he was later elected Head of the Department and promoted to Associate Professor.  During his time at UWC (November 1999 to April 2005) he also did extensive consultation work for private organisations and the provincial government and completed a certificate course in Labour Relations.
In May 2005 Prof van Lill was appointed as Associate Professor in the Section for Organisational Psychology of the School of Management Studies, University of Cape Town.  During his time at UCT (May 2005 – June 2009) he wrote seven articles with colleagues and students in international and accredited journals.  Some of these research findings were also presented at national and international conferences.   He also acted as expert witness on selection and placement in the workplace during a CCMA case.
Prof van Lill was appointed as Professor of Industrial Psychology here at Mafikeng Campus of North West University on 1 July 2009 where he acted as Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Administration from November 2009 until the appointment of the present Dean.  Presently is also acting Director of the School of Management Sciences.
Professional registration:  Prof van Lill is registered as Research Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and as a Charted Human Resource Practitioner at the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP)
 

 Published by Koos Degenaar 24 February 2011