About the Founder — FlourishWell4Life

Meet the Founder

A dual life in support and research

Integrated Data Analytics Team, Stellenbosch University

Dr du Plessis serves within the Integrated Data Analytics Team in the Division for Institutional Strategy, Research and Analytics at Stellenbosch University. Since 1995 he has held a unique dual role across Student Support and Institutional Research, combining practical student development with rigorous academic research.

His work shows that so-called "soft factors" are essential for academic and workplace success — and that the right tools, grounded in evidence, can put them within everyone's reach.

Credentials

Qualifications & certifications

Academic

PhD in Applied Mathematics (Stellenbosch)
MSc Applied Mathematics, cum laude (Stellenbosch)
Hons BSc Applied Mathematics, cum laude (Stellenbosch)
BSc Applied Mathematics (Stellenbosch)

Professional

Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology (CAPP), The Flourishing Center, New York
Certified Flourishing Skills Group Facilitator
Certified Resilience Trainer (Bounce Back Better)
Certified Wellness & Sport Psychology Coach (Golf)
Certified Brain Health Professional (Dr Amen Licensed Brain Trainer)

A Long-Held Dream

The 25-year vision

For a quarter of a century, Dr du Plessis carried a single idea: a "Computerised Artificial Mentor and Psychologist" — CAMPFILE — that could measure where a person stands, personalise their path, and walk alongside them as they grow. For most of those years it remained a sketch waiting for the technology to catch up.

That dream is now realised as FlourishIQ — the AI wellbeing platform at the heart of the Centre, turning decades of evidence into tools people can actually use.

The ambition grew sharper after he completed a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology at The Flourishing Center in New York. Seeing what a Flourishing Centre could be inspired a clear goal: to build one at home, in Stellenbosch.

How the three brands work together → Read the Vision

The FlourishWell4Life home at 12 Murray Street, Stellenbosch

Our Home

In the heart of Stellenbosch

FlourishWell4Life is based at 12 Murray Street, in the heart of Stellenbosch — a home for the science and practice of flourishing, where research, courses and the three sister brands come together.

Recognition

Work that travels

Dr du Plessis's approach has earned international recognition, including at the 2024 European Conference on Positive Psychology and the World Engineering Education Forum.

Learn more at altenduplessis.com ↗

Let's build the Flourishing Centre together

Whether you're a university, a funder, an organisation or an individual — there's a place for you in this work.

Get in Touch Read the Vision