Honors & Awards for Research & Teaching Excellence
Prof. Dr. Thea van der Westhuizen has earned widespread recognition for her research-led, interdisciplinary community engagement projects in entrepreneurship education and behavior. Notable honors include acknowledgment by the British Ambassador and Arab His Highness Sheikh during her tenure at the Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi; UKZN/UTLO Teaching and Learning Innovation and Quality Enhancement awards; recognition by the International Business School Americas and KZN Young Achievers; and her most distinguished achievement, winning the Innovative Youth Incubator Award in Washington DC in 2018. She served as Chairperson for the Community of Practice for Entrepreneurship Learning and Teaching from 2017 to 2020 and was re-elected for 2021 to 2023.
My Background
Prof. Dr. Thea van der Westhuizen is an award-winning academic leader recognized for advancing entrepreneurship in academia through innovative teaching and transformative research. Founder of SHAPE, she gained international acclaim at The Innovative Youth Incubator Awards. A former International Director of Paddle for the Planet, she champions global environmental sustainability and youth empowerment. With over 20 years of international experience in corporate and academic sectors, her impactful collaborations include high-impact leaders, municipal managers, multinational CEOs, and youth entrepreneurs. Currently, she serves as an academic leader at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Management, IT, and Governance.