Prof Francis W. Petersen

Vice-Chancellor and Principal University of the Free State

Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State in South Africa. Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Dean: Engineering & the Built Environment at the University of Cape Town, the Executive Head: Strategy at Anglo American Platinum, Executive Vice-President: Research and Development at Mintek, and Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Cape Technikon (now the Cape Peninsula University of Technology).

He is a non-executive director on the Boards of the Fruits Unlimited, Bigen Africa and Stone Three Digital.

He, was amongst others, chairman of the Board of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a non-executive director on the Board of the Royal Bafokeng Platinum, a member of the South African Minister of Science & Technology’s National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), deputy-chairman of Mintek and a member of the Board of the South African Precious Metal and Diamond Regulator.

Francis has extensive experience of management at various levels within the University and industry sectors. He is the founder of the first cohort of industry research organisations in the minerals and energy sectors (M & E G9). He is serving on various national and international technical, editorial and advisory committees, is actively involved and has consulted widely to the South African engineering & the built environment industries. He has published over 160 international journal papers & conference proceedings.

2024 Agenda Sessions

How can academia & research and development organizations keep up with the exponential technology pr

How can universities use technology to keep up with the current pace of change to address the mining industries talent gap? 
How academia can work with OEMs and mining companies to provide a highly skilled and hungry workforce 
Making mining an attractive industry: how can we make the mining industry seem less “dirty” and more attractive to the next generation of professional.

Tuesday 06 February 15:35 - 16:20 Innovators Stage

Tech and Innovation Hub

Add to calendar 02/06/2024 15:35 02/06/2024 16:20 How can academia & research and development organizations keep up with the exponential technology pr

How can universities use technology to keep up with the current pace of change to address the mining industries talent gap? 
How academia can work with OEMs and mining companies to provide a highly skilled and hungry workforce 
Making mining an attractive industry: how can we make the mining industry seem less “dirty” and more attractive to the next generation of professional.

Innovators Stage Africa/Johannesburg

What academic improvements are necessary at African universities

Wednesday 07 February 14:30 - 15:15 Stewards Stage

Sustainability Series

Add to calendar 02/07/2024 14:30 02/07/2024 15:15 What academic improvements are necessary at African universities Stewards Stage Africa/Johannesburg

Artificial Intelligence and Technology: The Promise and Threat to Building Careers for Mining’s Futu

The future of work is not what it used to be - the rise of artificial intelligence coupled with the already rapid pace of digitisation and automation in mining will profoundly affect the skills and attitudes needed for a successful future in the sector.

How can mining companies, universities and individuals adapt? What should students and young professionals consider when pursuing their studies, developing new skills, and adapting to a mining industry that is rapidly reinventing itself?

Thursday 08 February 12:20 - 13:20 Disruptors Stage

Young Leaders

Add to calendar 02/08/2024 12:20 02/08/2024 13:20 Artificial Intelligence and Technology: The Promise and Threat to Building Careers for Mining’s Futu

Disruptors Stage Africa/Johannesburg

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