Workshop on Engagement and Impact

About Prof Chris Brink

Professor Chris Brink is Emeritus Vice-Chancellor (President) of Newcastle University in England, former Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and former Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) of the University of Wollongong in Australia. Earlier he was Head of Mathematics and Coordinator for Strategic Planning at the University of Cape Town, and a Senior Research Fellow at the Australian National University. He is the Convenor of the sector-wide Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 2026 in Hong Kong, and also convened the RAE 2020. He is a member of the Governing Council of the Magna Charta Universitatum Observatory.

Chris Brink is known as a champion of the idea of a civic university. His books include The Soul of a University: Why excellence is not enough and The Responsive University and the Crisis in South Africa. He is a logician with a Cambridge PhD, an interdisciplinary DPhil, Master’s degrees in mathematics and philosophy, and a Bachelor’s degree in computer science. Before entering university management he held the A-rating of the National Research Foundation. He has served in an advisory or assessment capacity for various universities and organisations, and contributes to a number of international executive leadership programmes in higher education.

About Beatrix Bouwman

Ms Beatrix Bouwman, Director of Sustainability and Community Impact at North-West University (NWU) is a leading advocate for sustainable development and community engagement in higher education. With a deep commitment to linking education with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she drives impactful initiatives that address both local and global challenges.

A founding member and former chair of the South African Higher Education Community Engagement Forum (SAHECEF), and member of USAf’s HES CoP; Bouwman has shaped the national discourse on sustainable community engagement. Her involvement in international sustainability projects, such as the EU Erasmus Plus digital storytelling project *Common Good First* and her advisory role on the UNISERVITATE programme, underscores her dedication to integrating service learning with sustainability.

At NWU, Bouwman spearheads efforts to measure the university’s sustainability impact using cutting-edge tools like SenseMaker®, ensuring that all stakeholders are included in the institution's community engagement and sustainability journey. Her work extends to collaborations with the Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) and management of the NRF-funded Science Shop project, focusing on science-society partnerships for sustainable development.

With a background in microbiology, agriculture, and consumer behavior, she applies her research expertise to sustainable agriculture and environmental rehabilitation. Bouwman has authored numerous publications on topics related to sustainability, service learning, and mycorrhizal research. Her visionary leadership has earned her recognition through various sustainability-focused grants and awards, including for her role in advancing biotechnology for environmental benefit.

Find Beatrix Bouwman on LinkedIn