Eben Proos, 32, is a senior lecturer in tourism management at the Central University of Technology, in Free State. As well as lecturing, he is responsible for guiding postgraduate students as the convener of the Tourism Student Committee, and community engagement. Eben is conducting research into the fields of niche tourism, dark tourism and marketing and management. He is particularly excited about niche tourism as “I know that it could have an impact on the future of the tourism industry.” Winning various awards, such as the Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Award, has shown Eben that “through hard work and dedication anything is possible”. With his work, he hopes to inspire future generations and leaders in the tourism industry. “The youth will be the ones to inspire tourists from all over the world to visit South Africa,” he says. He aims to make a difference in the community and to open young students to the possibilities tourism can offer them. He counts among his mentors the late Dr Johan Hattingh, who inspired him to be dedicated and to make a difference in local communities as well as the tourism industry.
Doctor of Management Sciences in Business Administration, 2019
Magister Technologiae Tourism and Hospitality Management, 2016
Postgraduate Certificate in Education, 2017
Since my lecturing journey started at the Central University of Technology, Free State, I have obtained different awards. These include winner of the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Award — The Early-Career Teaching Award, winner of the Faculty of Management Sciences Early Career Researcher and Innovation Awards. Through these awards I have learnt that through hard work and dedication anything is possible. It also showed me that through my achievements, I am able to inspire future generations and leaders in the tourism industry.
The late Dr Johan Hattingh. He inspired me to be dedicated to what I do and to make a difference in the local community and tourism industry.