Dr. Deliwe Rene Phetlhu

Professor Deliwe Rene Phetlhu is a distinguished leader in nursing scholarship and research capacity development with over three decades of experience in clinical practice and higher education. Currently the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State, she has driven significant research growth while mentoring emerging scholars, having supervised postgraduate students to completion, including 18 PhD graduates. Prof Phetlhu has published significantly in peer reviewed journals

A visionary strategist, Professor Phetlhu has built sustainable research partnerships across Africa and globally with institutions including Johns Hopkins University, Tanzania’s Institute of Medical Research, and the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana. Her leadership extends to ministerial appointment as Vice Chairperson of the South African Nursing Council, NRF reviewer, President of Sigma’s Africa Chapter, journal co-editor, and plenary speaker worldwide. Professor Phetlhu brings unparalleled insight into building research cultures and navigating the competitive grants landscape.

Her expertise in grant acquisition is evidenced by securing major funding from prestigious institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Research Foundation (NRF), Botnar Foundation, and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Reproductive Health Training. Her latest research interest on Global Health focuses on the nexus between health and climate change, specifically the impact of climate change on the mental health of the African youth.