The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) is proud to introduce the new Executive Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof Sehaam Khan to drive the university’s ambitious interdisciplinary education and research agenda in medicine, allied health and sports science. Prof Khan will assume her duties with effect from 1st March 2019.
This seasoned academic joins the University as an accomplished scholar completing both her undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications: Masters (cum laude) and PhD, in Microbiology, at the University of Western Cape. Her scholarly prowess is further demonstrated in her extensive contribution to academia, through her publications of peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, scientific papers, conference proceedings and conference outputs: poster presentations.
Further to this, Prof Khan has obtained various scholarships and awards, notably amongst others, the Faculty of Applied Science- Researcher of the Year Award in 2003, and the Institutional Teaching and Learning Award in 2014.
Prof Khan serves as a member of various societies for microbiology: the South African Society of Microbiology, the American Society for Microbiology-Division Environmental Microbiology, the Health Professions Council of South Africa in category Medical Biological Scientist; as well as a member of the Research and Innovation Committee for the development of Fifth National Development Plan for Namibia. In addition, her community engagement reflects her passion for her subject matter on a professional level, focusing on engaging with organisations as well as learners at High School level; as well as giving back to society through her Christian outreach programs with disadvantaged children and women. Furthermore, she established and procured external funding for a feeding scheme at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) in 2017.
Her 19 years teaching experience focused on Molecular Biology; teaching students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with a focus to simplify complex processes and ignite a passion for the subject.
She was appointed at various institutions in the capacity of Lecturer (University of Western Cape, Cape Technikon- Biomedical Sciences), Post-Doctoral Fellow (Institute of Molecule & Cell Biology- Singapore), Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor and Head of Department (Cape Peninsula University of Technology).
Before joining the University of Johannesburg, Prof Khan was the Dean at NUST- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences. She has a proven track record of strategic planning and reporting; managing the re-curriculation and programme review process of all undergraduate and postgraduate degrees offered within the Faculty; lead stakeholder engagements partnerships both locally and internationally, fostering exchange opportunities, and finally, lead the Faculty in the pursuit of total quality management in research, teaching and learning.
We wish Prof Khan well with her new appointment and trust that she will continue to enjoy a fulfilling career as she takes up her new position at UJ.
