Distinguished Stellenbosch University (SU) professor and Paarlite, Faadiel Essop, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Teaching Advancement at Universities (TAU) Fellows Award, marking another milestone in his remarkable academic career. The announcement coincided with his daughter Aaliyah’s graduation as a medical doctor, the third in what is becoming a family medical dynasty.
Dr. Aaliyah Essop joins her mother Rehana and brother Ziyaad in the medical profession, with youngest sibling Yasin set to complete his medical degree next year. This family achievement reflects Prof Essop’s deeply held belief, often quoting Plutarch: “The mind is not an empty vessel to fill, but a fire to be kindled.”
From his humble beginnings in Ceres and working in his father’s supermarket in Paarl, Essop has risen to become a leading figure in medical education and research. As director and co-founder of the Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa (CARMA) and a professor in the Division of Medical Physiology at SU’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, he has transformed how medical science is taught and understood.
Essop’s journey began with undergraduate studies at UCT, where he first discovered his passion for teaching while mentoring high school students in Paarl’s Mbekweni township. His path led through postdoctoral work at UCT’s Hatter Heart Research Institute and a Fulbright Fellowship at the University of Houston-Texas Health Science Center before joining SU in 2007.
“Students often fixate on grades and memorising facts,” he says. “I wanted them to see the real-world relevance of the material – to realise that knowledge isn’t dead information but something to explore, critique and apply.”
Faadiel Essop
His innovative “pedagogy of engagement” approach has revolutionized medical education at SU. Rather than traditional lectures, Essop emphasizes group work, real-life case studies, and problem-solving exercises. “Students often fixate on grades and memorising facts,” he says. “I wanted them to see the real-world relevance of the material – to realise that knowledge isn’t dead information but something to explore, critique and apply.”
The TAU Fellows Award Committee praised Essop’s “intellectual courage, combined with genuine humility,” noting his ability to challenge disciplinary conventions while maintaining a nuanced understanding of access and success. This recognition follows his 2018 University Teaching Excellence Award and his appointment as a TAU Fellow in 2022.
Beyond the classroom, Essop has been instrumental in addressing scientific elitism and decolonising medical education. He developed the groundbreaking “Features of Science” honours module, which explores the intersection of science, society, and ethics. The course examines topics such as the social contract between science and society, the influence of neoliberalism on medicine, and scientific racism.
His interdisciplinary approach has led to innovative collaborations, including projects between medical and art students to explore the heart from both scientific and artistic perspectives. “Breaking down silos allows us to get closer to truths and solve complex problems,” Essop explains.
As President of the African Association of Physiological Sciences and Chairperson of the South African National Committee of the International Union of Physiological Sciences, Essop’s influence extends across the continent. His research contributions have earned him the Physiology Society of Southern Africa Lifetime Career Achievement Award and fellowship in the Royal Society of South Africa.
Looking ahead, Essop is working on a book about decolonising medicine and plans to expand his “Features of Science” module to other universities. With strong family support, including regular intellectual debates at home, he remains committed to transforming medical education and research in Africa.
“My goal is to help students see that science is not just about molecules and data points,” says Essop. “It’s about real people and real-world implications. We can’t address pandemics, inequalities, and systemic challenges if we stay locked in our own scientific bubble.”
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