In this Business Talk with Michael Avery interview, Professor Francis Petersen discusses the importance of South Africa’s G20 presidency.
Petersen is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria.
He has a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and PhD in Engineering, and has held extensive academic leadership roles across several major South African universities.
Petersen is currently the chairperson of the Universities South African – an umbrella body that represents the 26 public universities in South Africa.
In addition to his academic achievements, Petersen has played a major role in the mining and environmental sectors.
This includes holding leadership positions at both Anglo American Platinum Limited, and Mintek.
His expertise in both research and innovation has played a key role in driving advancements across mining, minerals, and environmental engineering.
The interview
In his Business Talk interview, Petersen discusses South Africa’s G20 presidency.
He shares what this milestone represents to him, Africa, and the higher education sector.
Petersen discusses the theme for South Africa’s G20 presidency – fostering solidarity, equality, and sustainable development – and highlights how this theme should shape discussions between major economies.
Furthermore, Petersen shares how this opportunity can be used to reposition Africa as a co-creator of global solutions, and shares his one important message to global policymakers and business leaders attending the G20 Summit.
He then discusses the role South African universities can play in addressing global challenges like inequality, climate change, and food security, as well as how collaboration is required between academia, government, industry, and civil society.
Petersen also discusses a recent milestone for the University of Pretoria – becoming Africa’s first Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
Watch the full discussion with Professor Francis Petersen below.
