Andre le Roux, director of Enterprise Infrastructure Services at UCT, has a background in electronics, specifically microwave transmission, with 15 years of experience in that area. He branched out into ICT 21 years ago.
In the past, Le Roux worked on several military technology projects, and holds what he calls the 'dubious title' as one of the few people to have worked on and maintained analogue ballistic computers.
Once he realised his passion lay in computing, he become a technical trainer, providing training to corporate clients on Microsoft datacentre technologies and systems. "For me, it was about selling the future and the hope that people will be employed in IT."
However, he was not comfortable in this predominantly sales environment, and joined UCT as an internet and programming consultant, responsible for the fledgling online learning aids of that day. "I was the person who evaluated the first learning management system at UCT, and from there it progressed."
He says he is motivated by making a difference to people's lives. "Working at a university is very unlike corporate...Delivering technology and security into this environment is a big challenge. I try to bring sense into that environment wherever I can, with the knowledge that we are fundamentally making a change to this country, as the students are the future leaders of South Africa."
He serves as the IITPSA Western Cape (WC) Chapter deputy chairperson, which he has done for the past three years, prior to which he served as the WC Chapter treasurer for three years.
Other three Visionary CIO finalists
Jacques Barkhuizen: Disrupting the local market
Kevin Wilson: A master 'Jack of all trades'
Warren Hero: Connecting people to things that matter
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