Wim de Villiers

Life After obtaining his medical degree, De Villiers moved to England, where he obtained a doctorate in immunology from the University of Oxford in 1995. He then moved to the United States where he worked as a gastroenterologist. He also held numerous senior positions at the University of Kentucky, including chief of gastroenterology.

In 2017, the university became one of four South African universities to abolish Afrikaans as a language of instruction. De Villiers is in favor of expanding the use of English to more than 50% to attract more international students and lecturers.

Edwin Cameron In October 2019, the Democratic Alliance called for an independent investigation into De Villiers' alleged attempts to bribe Judge Edwin Cameron by offering Cameron the chancellorship in exchange for a decision in the Constitutional Court of South Africa in favor of Stellenbosch University's policy to abolish Afrikaans as a language of instruction. De Villiers denies that he could have influenced the election of Edwin Cameron as chancellor. An investigation cleared De Villiers of any blame.

Nepotism In 2023, Vice-Chancellor Wim de Villiers was charged of nepotism. He allegedly used his discretionary right to secure a place for his wife's nephew at the university's medical school. An investigation into the case found that there was no misconduct that warranted his removal from office but that he would have to face financial consequences.

Fraud accusations On Sunday 27 October 2024, Edwin Cameron accused Wim De Villiers of fraud involving the report on Wilgenhof residence.