THE University of Port Elizabeth has elected Independent Electoral Commission chairwoman Dr Brigalia Bam as its new Chancellor. She will be inaugurated as the university’s fifth chancellor in April. Bam plans to use her tenure at UPE to transform tertiary education. She holds qualifications in teaching, social work, communication and management. She has been awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Durban-Westville, Victoria University in Toronto and the University of Transkei. She served as the general secretary of the South African Council of Churches from 1988 to 1997 and was vice-chairwoman of the previous SABC board. She has worked with the World Council of Churches, the World Affiliated Young Women’s Christian Association, and the International Food and Allied Workers’ Association in Geneva. ”I believe that UPE is a symbol of hope for the people of the Eastern Cape, South Africa and Africa,” she said.