A reflection on leadership in academic dentistry

Abstract

This reflection is perhaps most appropriate as Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), the youngest University in South Africa, crosses the 5-year mark of its existence. It is a privilege to have served as the first Head of the School of Oral Health Sciences
and subsequently as its first Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Postgraduate Studies and Innovation. The fact that the school have been in existence for many more years under different institutional arrangements before its incorporation into the new university (SMU) brings unique opportunities and challenges that may not be characteristic of a new dental school nor an existing dental school. It is for this reason that it would require strong, effective leadership at all levels to navigate this uniqueness for the betterment of the school as it continues to offer one of the flagship programmes of the University. At the same time adapting to the ever-increasing demands in the higher education sector, such as ‘massification’ of higher education and demands from the society, at large.