Dr Cornelius Ruiters

Dr. Cornelius Ruiters has a diverse work experience spanning various fields. Dr Cornelius is currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer at Lepelle Northern Water since July 2022. Prior to this, they held the position of Non-Executive Director at the National Radio-Active Waste Disposal Institute of South Africa starting from August 2020.

Dr. Ruiters has also been involved in the academic field, acting as the External Examiner for the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information at the University of Pretoria since February 2014. Dr Cornelius has also worked as an MBA Supervisor at the GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science) since April 2015.

In their previous professional endeavors, Dr. Ruiters served as the Owner and Director of CR Engineers and Consulting (Pty) Ltd from June 2019 to August 2020. Dr Cornelius held the position of Executive Head: Engineering at Roads Agency Limpopo SOC (Pty) Ltd from February 2017 to March 2019, where they were responsible for the planning, design, and operations of the road network in the Limpopo Province.

Additionally, Dr. Ruiters gained substantial experience at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), where they served as the Executive Director: Built Environment from December 2011 to January 2017. Dr Cornelius also held various roles such as a Council Member at the Council for the Built Environment from March 2010 to November 2011.

Prior to that, Dr. Ruiters worked at the Department of Water and Sanitation, where they held the position of Deputy Director-General: National Water Resources Infrastructure and Head of Water Trading Entity from June 2006 to November 2011.

Furthermore, Dr. Ruiters has been involved in organizations such as SANEC - South African Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, where they served as a Non-Executive Board Member from March 2012 to November 2016.

Overall, Dr. Cornelius Ruiters has a wealth of experience in leadership, academia, engineering, and management roles, making him a well-rounded professional in their field.

Dr. Cornelius Ruiters has an extensive education history in various fields of study. Dr Cornelius obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Life and Applied Sciences from the University of the Western Cape in 1986. Dr Cornelius continued their education at the same university and earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Life and Applied Sciences in 1987. In 1990, Dr. Ruiters received a Master of Science (MS) degree in Life and Applied Sciences from the University of the Western Cape.

In pursuit of their academic interests, Dr. Ruiters conducted Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research work in Environmental Biology at San Diego State University in 1991. Dr Cornelius further expanded their knowledge in the field and achieved a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Life and Applied Sciences from the University of the Western Cape in 2001.

Alongside their scientific studies, Dr. Ruiters also explored the field of Civil Engineering. Dr Cornelius completed a Graduate Diploma Engineering (GDE) program specializing in Civil Engineering: Water and Environmental Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2003. In the same university, they earned a Master of Engineering (MEng) degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on Water and Environmental Engineering in 2004. Furthermore, Dr. Ruiters obtained another Master of Engineering (MEng) degree in Civil Engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2005, this time specializing in Civil Engineering.

Dr. Ruiters continued their academic journey by attending the University of Cambridge in 2005, where they completed a Certified Practitioner Programme in Sustainability Studies. Dr Cornelius then pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Finance from the University of South Africa from 2008 to 2011.

In recent years, Dr. Ruiters has focused on engineering research and earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Engineering from the University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria in 2019.

In addition to their educational achievements, Dr. Ruiters has acquired various professional certifications. Dr Cornelius became a Professional member of the Water Institute of Southern Africa in 2005 and obtained the Professional Natural Scientist (Pr. Sci. Nat.) designation from the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) in 2006. In 2016, Dr. Ruiters achieved the Professional Member status from the Southern African Asset Management Association (SAAMA). Furthermore, in 2018, they received the Pr. Eng. (Professional Engineer) accreditation in Civil Engineering from the Engineering Council of South Africa & Washington Accord. Most recently, in September 2021, Dr. Ruiters completed the Infrastructure Business Case (5CM - Five Case Model) program offered by the Infrastructure Project Authority of the UK Government.