Full Name: Hermanus Jacobus Vermaak

Position and Company Name: Head of the School of Engineering and Architecture at STADIO Higher Education

Main Activity of the Company: STADIO Higher Education, which is managed by the JSE-listed STADIO Holdings Group, offers qualifications ranging from higher certificates to master’s degrees and doctorates, across seven disciplines, either online or at its nine campuses country-wide

Date and Place of Birth: February 20, 1963, Kariega, Eastern Cape

Schools and Tertiary Education: University of Twente, in the Netherlands; Daniel Pienaar Technical High School, in Kariega

First Job: Apprentice electronic mechanician at Goodyear Tyre Company in Kariega

Size of First Pay Packet: R452 a week

Career Path to Date: I started at Goodyear Tyre Company as an apprentice, later qualifying as an artisan and progressing to the roles of electronic technician and senior technician. I then joined General Motors Corporation at its factory in Gqeberha as an engineering technologist. I was subsequently appointed project engineer, where I was involved in the pioneering projects involving robotics and the automation of heavy metal presses at the company. While at General Motors, I completed a master’s degree and was appointed as a lecturer at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in the Free State. With funding from the National Research Foundation and the university, I undertook doctoral studies at the University of Twente in the Netherlands, completing a cumulative 20 months of study in two phases and graduating with a PhD in electrical engineering. At CUT, I progressed through the academic ranks – to senior lecturer, associate professor and full professor. On the management side, I served as programme coordinator, head of department, assistant dean and eventually dean of the Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology, before I became head of the School of Engineering and Architecture at STADIO Higher Education

Value of Assets under Your Control: In my previous role, this was around R120-million, covering the faculty’s total budget for salaries and operational and capital expenses. In my current position, at a private institution, the systems are different, making exact valuations difficult, but I estimate the value of architectural resources and engineering developments and equipment at close to R20-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: Previously, I led 142 permanent staff members in my faculty. Currently, as we build the school’s capacity, I oversee a team of four

Management Style: I believe in creating a work environment that allows the people around me to be the best they can be

Personal Best Achievement: Earning my PhD and enabling my children to pursue their dreams

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My late father, who gave me the opportunity to study engineering

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My late father. Although he lacked many opportunities, he seized every one he got and did his best to not only fulfil what was required of him but also inspired the people around him to reach their goals

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: I would have liked to meet former President Nelson Mandela

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Discovery founder and CEO Adrian Gore – for identifying a gap in the market and delivering a product that would be accepted by clients

Philosophy of Life: Do what you do for yourself, not for anybody else

Biggest Ever Opportunity: My current position

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I view disappointments as opportunities to be the best I can be, even if this might not be my first choice. I have faced disappointments in my life, but none stands out as a “biggest ever disappointment”.

Hope For the Future: That young people in our country find opportunities here, without needing to look beyond our borders

Favourite Reading: Steven Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was very insightful for me. For relaxation, I enjoy Deon Meyer’s books

Favourite TV Programme: Gold Rush and Building Alaska – for the practical engineering showcased using very limited resources

Favourite Food/Drink: Barbecue and red wine

Favourite Music: A variety – from classical to alternative Afrikaans music

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Hobbies: Woodwork

Car: Mazda CX 5

Pets: I always had a dog until three years ago, when my favourite, Marley, a Golden Retriever, died

Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who always see the negative side of everything

Married: To Linda,for close to 37 years

Children: Lin-Mari, 33; Mari-Louise, 28

Clubs: Badminton Club and Wine-Tasting Club