It is with sincere condolences to his family and friends that we record the passing of Prof Brian O’Connell who passed away on 25 August 2024.

Brian O’Connell was a distinguished South African academic and educator who held the positions of Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa from 2001 to 2014. During his tenure, UWC achieved both national and worldwide acclaim for its academic accomplishments and its contribution to the advancement of social justice and fairness in post-apartheid South Africa. His steadfast dedication to preserving the university’s independence, promoting effective and engaged leadership, and enhancing the university’s academic and research reputation both locally and internationally marked his tenure.

Over his career, he received numerous honors, including the National Research Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 and the rank of Commander of the Order of Leopold II from the Belgian Government for his significant contributions to the global tertiary institution sector.