The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has appointed Professor Andile Khathi (38) as Deputy Dean for the Division of Medical Sciences in its School of Medicine. An internationally recognised prediabetes researcher and award-winning educator, Khathi assumes the leadership role following a distinguished academic career marked by excellence in research and teaching.

He brings experience in leadership having previously served as Academic Leader for Human Physiology and Anatomy from 2019 to 2026.

Dean and Head of the School of Medicine College of Health Sciences at UKZN, Professor Refiloe Masekela congratulated Khathi on his appointment, “We warmly welcome Professor Khathi to the School of Medicine. He has shown excellence in research and innovation as well as in teaching and learning. We look forward to his leadership over the next five years,” she said.

The appointment follows Khathi’s achievement as one of the 2025 UKZN Distinguished Teacher’s Award recipients. He was selected for his academic excellence and transformative contribution to higher education.

Khathi says he is deeply honoured by the opportunity to serve as Deputy Dean,

“I am excited to continue working collaboratively with colleagues, students and all the relevant stakeholders to strengthen excellence in teaching and learning, advance impactful research and innovation as well as foster an inclusive academic environment. Our institution and College already have a great history of excellence and I hope to contribute towards that continued success.”

In 2025, Khathi also received the Vice Chancellor’s Research Award in recognition of his continued research excellence and commitment to postgraduate supervision. He has also won several national awards such as the South African Medical Research Council’s Bronze award (2025) in recognition of his ground-breaking, impactful work as well as the National Research Foundation’s Research Excellence Award for Emerging Researchers in Natural Sciences (2022).

Khathi has published more than 145 peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter, while also graduating 12 PhD, 49 master’s, and 61 honours graduates, reflecting his enduring commitment to research excellence and postgraduate mentorship.