Prof Bismark Tyobeka, one of the leading nuclear power experts in the world, started his term as principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU on 1 June 2022.
He has had a long and fruitful association with his alma mater since starting his studies at the former University of North-West in the 1990s.
Prof Tyobeka was elected the fifth chairperson of the NWU Council in 2017 and reappointed for a second term in November 2020. He had been a member of the NWU Council since November 2014.
As chairperson of the NWU Council, he oversaw the successful restructuring of the NWU to a unitary model to accelerate institutional transformation.
He was also honoured with an NWU Alumni Award of Excellence in 2013 for his personal and career achievements, in particular his significant contribution to nuclear science across the world.
Prof Tyobeka has held the position of CEO of the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) of South Africa since 2013, and plays a major role in various initiatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
His contribution in the global arena includes serving in the IAEA’s International Advisory Committees on Nuclear Safety (INSAG) and as vice-chairperson of both the International Nuclear Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF) and the Forum for Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA).
Despite his international prominence, Prof Tyobeka has not forgotten his roots and retained strong ties with the university and many of its former students who now work in various fields, including the nuclear power industry in South Africa.
An avid student and scientist, he obtained BSc (Ed) (1999) and MSc (2001) degrees at the former University of North West, and in 2004 earned a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering at Penn State University in the USA.
In 2005, he obtained a third master’s degree, this time in project management, at the Colorado Technical University in the USA, and in 2007, his PhD in Nuclear Engineering at Penn State University.
Prior to his appointment as CEO of the NNR, Prof Tyobeka worked as a nuclear engineer at the IEEA in Austria. From 2002 to 2007, he worked at Penn State University as a senior reactor physicist, and from 2000 to 2002 he held the same position at Eskom.
South Africa is proud to have contributed to Prof Tyobeka’s formidable skills and appreciative of his commitment to the NWU.
Current role