01 1904–1909 1904-1909 A young institution steps out from Grey College and begins to form its own academic identity. 3 years 7 milestones 1904 Founded as Grey University College (GUC).First Rector: J Brill.Language medium: English.1904 marks the year the university became a separate tertiary institution. Grey College, the school from which it developed, was founded in 1855. 1906 First Senate established. 1909 Main Building completed.First men's residence, House Abraham Fischer, completed.
02 1911–1923 1911-1923 Language, residences, faculties, and student traditions start giving the campus a fuller voice. 6 years 10 milestones 1911 First subject taught in Dutch. 1913 First intervarsity. 1918 Faculties of Science and Arts established.Prof DF Malherbe became first professor of Afrikaans.Language medium: English and Afrikaans. 1919 First women's residence, President Steyn, completed. 1920 Second Rector: JD Kestell.Recruitment campaign for financial survival. 1923 Reitz dining hall built.First 'Rag' festival.
03 1925–1934 1925-1934 Evening lectures, new leadership, and language debates shape the growing college. 5 years 7 milestones 1925 Commencement of evening lectures. 1928 Third Rector: GM Hofmeyr. 1929 Fourth Rector: DF Malherbe.GUC adopted a Christian Afrikaans character. 1930 Number of departments: 22. 1934 Fifth Rector: RB Saayman.Campaign for 50/50 Afrikaans/English language medium.
04 1935–1950 1935-1950 The institution gains a new name, expands its faculties, and becomes a university in its own right. 7 years 10 milestones 1935 Renamed University College of the Orange Free State (UCOFS). 1938 Faculty of Commerce established. 1944 Irawa student newspaper launched. 1945 Faculties of Law, Education, and Social Sciences established. 1946 Sixth Rector: H vd M Scholtz.University adopted a Christian-National character.Growth phase started with a major building programme and fundraising. 1948 Dual-medium instruction phased out in favour of Afrikaans only. 1950 Renamed the University of the Orange Free State (UOFS).First honorary doctorate awarded: GLP Moerdyk (DLitt).
05 1953–1966 1953-1966 Libraries, hostels, academic buildings, and the Odeion help build the physical campus many recognise today. 8 years 9 milestones 1953 Die Bult publication launched.Library building built, later the Johannes Brill Building. 1954 Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences established. 1958 Faculty of Agriculture established. 1959 Seventh Rector: PWG Groenewoud. 1962 DF Malherbe Hostel built, later Villa Bravado. 1963 Agriculture Building and Emily Hobhouse Hostel built. 1965 Theology Building built. 1966 Odeion and West Block built.
06 1967–1975 1967-1975 New faculties, lecture halls, administration spaces, and student life mark a major period of expansion. 6 years 9 milestones 1967 Eighth Rector: B Kok. Students: 4 440.Growth phase started with new buildings and hostels, roads on campus, and sports facilities. 1969 Faculty of Health Sciences established.Idalia Loots became first female professor. 1970 CR Swart Building completed. 1973 George du Toit Administration Building completed. 1974 Flippie Groenewoud Building completed.Karee Hostel Pedal Prix launched. 1975 Callie Human Centre and Stabilis lecture halls completed.
07 1976–1986 1976-1986 Health sciences, student spaces, research, sport, and postgraduate milestones broaden the university’s reach. 6 years 13 milestones 1976 Ninth Rector: WL Mouton.Medical Faculty Building completed, later the Francois Retief Building.More than 90 separate university departments. 1978 Sello Ishmael Mokotjo became first black undergraduate student at UOFS.First black postgraduate students admitted.Benedictus Kok Student Centre completed.'Mooimeisiesfontein' developed. 1980 Faculty of Theology established. 1983 UOFS-Sasol Library Building completed.Wynand Mouton Theatre completed. 1985 FARMOVS clinical research facility founded. 1986 Shimla Park sports facility completed.Simon Mdluli first black recipient of PhD.
08 1989–1999 1989-1999 Transformation begins to gain momentum as new leaders, policies, and representation reshape institutional life. 9 years 11 milestones 1989 Tenth Rector: FP Retief. 1990 Chancellor: JS Stegmann. 1991 Odeion String Quartet founded. 1993 Language Policy: parallel-medium education in Afrikaans and English.First black Council member: Prof Benito Khotseng. 1994 First coloured Council member: Rev Kiepie Jaftha. 1996 Chancellor: WL Mouton. 1997 Eleventh Rector: SF Coetzee.Transformation started to gain momentum. 1998 Faculty of the Humanities established. 1999 Chancellor: Winkie Direko.
09 2000–2003 2000-2003 The university enters a new century with a new name, financial renewal, and the Qwaqwa Campus. 3 years 9 milestones 2000 Turnaround strategy implemented to achieve financial sustainability.Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences established. 2001 Renamed University of the Free State (UFS).Honorary doctorate: NR Mandela, late former South African President (LLD). 2003 Twelfth Rector: FCvN Fourie.Qwaqwa Campus incorporated.Increased academic depth.Thakaneng Bridge completed.First female SRC President: Anchen Laubscher.
10 2004–2009 2004-2009 Three campuses, transformation, construction, and difficult institutional reckoning define a decisive chapter. 6 years 14 milestones 2004 South Campus, former Vista University Bloemfontein Campus, incorporated.Centre for Business Dynamics launched.Centenary Complex completed. 2005 Central Student Representative Council (CSRC) established, representing students from all three university campuses. 2006 UFS aligned key areas of academic and research efforts with national priorities.First black female director appointed: Mrs Refiloe Seane.Biggest construction contract in UFS history: refurbishing and extending the Chemistry Building. 2007 Comprehensive transformation plan approved.UFS Council approved racial integration of residences with overwhelming majority. 2008 Closure of controversial Reitz Hostel after defamatory anti-integration video; establishment of the Institute for Diversity in its place.Faculty of Education established. 2009 Thirteenth Rector: J Jansen.UFS Choir won International Music Festival Competition in Prague.Extensive building projects launched on Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses.
11 2010–2011 2010-2011 Brand renewal, access, multilingualism, hunger relief, and student support become central to the story. 2 years 9 milestones 2010 Development of a new brand for the UFS.Drive to make campuses more accessible for people with disabilities.Sculptures-on-campus initiative launched, featuring works by leading local artists.Kovsies crowned USSA Tennis Champions. 2011 UFS received World Universities Forum Award for Best Practice in Higher Education.UFS doctors made history by implanting special new aortic valve.UFS School of Open Learning established on South Campus, opening up access to higher education studies.Postgraduate School launched, bringing research-based education in line with national priorities.No Student Hungry Project launched.
12 2012–2013 2012-2013 Curriculum renewal, international research support, simulation learning, and the planetarium mark fresh ambition. 2 years 11 milestones 2012 UFS 101 core curriculum programme launched, focusing on citizenship and entrepreneurship for all students.Shimlas Rugby celebrated 100 years.UFS launched Schools Partnership Programme to turn ineffective schools into institutions producing outstanding results.International Studies Group (ISG) established for high-calibre postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows. 2013 UFS selected as one of four South African universities to benefit from a multimillion dollar programme of the US-based Kresge Foundation.Clinical Skills Simulation Unit opened by Faculty of Health Sciences.UFS became first African manufacturer of eye-tracking devices.UFS Naval Hill Planetarium, first digital planetarium in sub-Saharan Africa, opened.UFS recognised as leading higher education institution for students with disabilities.SARChI Research Chair awarded: Solid State Luminescent and Advanced Materials (Prof Hendrik Swart).SARChI Research Chair awarded: Higher Education and Human Development (Prof Melanie Walker).
13 2014–2015 2014-2015 Student achievement, research growth, disability support, and landmark academic offerings move into focus. 2 years 8 milestones 2014 UFS Internet Broadcast Project, providing assistance to school learners, won international award.Kovsie student Elzane van den Bergh crowned Deaf Miss South Africa.Kovsie medical student Rolene Strauss won Miss World title.UFS NRF research funding doubled from previous year. 2015 UFS offered South Africa's first master's degree in Social Cohesion and Reconciliation.Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS) launched.Kovsie student Wayde van Niekerk won gold in 400 m in IAAF World Championship.Robert WM Frater Cardiovascular Research Centre opened.
14 2016–2017 2016-2017 Research recognition, conservation work, and a shift to English instruction signal another turning point. 2 years 6 milestones 2016 SARChI Research Chair awarded: Disease Resistance and Quality in Field Crops (Prof Maryke Labuschagne).SARChI Research Chair awarded: Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Pathogens (Prof Felicity Burt).UFS giraffe conservation research project featured in National Geographic documentary 'Last of the Longnecks'. 2017 Fourteenth Rector: F Petersen.Language of instruction changed to English.Prof Abdon Atangana published highest cited Math paper in the world.
15 2018–2019 2018-2019 Sustainability, science, sport, agriculture, multilingualism, and student excellence continue the momentum. 2 years 8 milestones 2018 Solar charging stations launched as part of wide-ranging sustainability measures on all three campuses.Pharmacology student Innocensia Mangoato won prestigious Women in Science award.Cardiac simulation laboratory added to the UFS' expanding medical simulation technology.Centre for Teaching and Learning playing leading role in academic advising nationally. 2019 Agribusiness Transformation Programme launched to develop black emerging farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.Kovsie alumna Karla Pretorius named best netball player in the world.Kovsies Multilingual Mokete launched.Kovsie tennis team crowned best student team for ninth year in a row.
16 2020–2022 2020-2022 A pandemic-era pivot to online learning sits alongside research excellence, language initiatives, and global rankings. 3 years 18 milestones 2020 Global COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown instated in South Africa; UFS adopted online/blended approach to learning and teaching.#NoStudentLeftBehind initiative launched, using advanced data analytics to ensure student participation in online learning.Prof Willem Boshoff, Senior Professor in Department of Fine Arts, received A2 rating from National Research Foundation (NRF).Africa's largest microscope facility for undergraduate students established at UFS.First virtual graduation ceremonies.SARChI Research Chair awarded: City-Region Economies (Prof Ivan Turok). 2021 Prof Maxim Finkelstein, Outstanding Professor in Department of Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science, received South Africa's first A-rating in Probability, Statistics and Operations Research from the NRF.Dr Matteo Grilli (Political History), affiliated with the UFS International Studies Group, was awarded a top P-rating from the NRF.Prof Melanie Walker (Higher Education and Human Development) was awarded an A1 rating by the NRF for a second time.Academy for Multilingualism established.UFS alumna and staff member Louzanne Coetzee won silver and bronze medals at the Paralympics.UFS Netball team crowned Varsity Netball champions. 2022 UFS ranked among the world's best universities in Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.Launch of African Languages Press, promoting preservation of marginalised African languages.Prof Abdon Atangana ranked as South Africa's top mathematician.Department of Nuclear Medicine successfully treats advanced stage prostate cancer.Department of Pharmacology and FARMOVS conduct first SAHPRA-approved clinical trial of plant-based treatment for COVID-19.The Faculty of Education opened the first Science Education Centre (Sci-Ed) in Central South Africa on its Bloemfontein Campus, comprising an indoor Science Discovery Centre and an outdoor Science Park.
17 2023–2025 2023-2025 A new strategic direction, research growth, leadership milestones, sustainability, access, and sporting success shape the university's next chapter. 3 years 20 milestones 2023 Vision 130 launched as the university's long-term strategy towards its 130th anniversary in 2034.Renewed Research Strategy adopted, aligned with Vision 130 and focused on research excellence, collaboration, and societal impact.Multi-million-rand Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation grant secured to expand palliative care services in the Free State.R35 million government contribution strengthened the UFS Indigenous Knowledge Systems Hub.UFS celebrated 20 years as a multi-campus university on the Qwaqwa Campus.Prof Abdon Atangana received the UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for young scientists in STEM.Jacques Nienaber helped South Africa win a fourth Rugby World Cup title as Springbok head coach. 2024 Seven ARC-DoA-UFS research chairs established to strengthen agricultural research and innovation.Prof Hester C Klopper appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal, becoming the first woman to lead the university in this capacity.University-wide digitalisation training programme and skills audit launched.International Institute of the Arts approved, expanding the university's academic and research footprint in the arts.Graduate Positioning Service (GPS@UFS) Hub launched.UFS Business School commemorated 25 years of management education and leadership development.Centre for Global Change established on the Qwaqwa Campus.Shimlas crowned Varsity Cup rugby champions and UFS Netball crowned Varsity Netball champions.UFS alumna and staff member Louzanne Coetzee won South Africa's second medal at the 2024 Paralympics. 2025 UFS Soccer crowned Varsity Cup Soccer champions.Directorate Research Development achieved Platinum status under the Good Financial Grant Practice accreditation.New Health and Wellness Centre launched.UFS received Disability Transformative status on the Disability Results Effectiveness Scale.Faculty of Law celebrated 80 years of legal education.Afromontane Research Unit celebrated its 10th anniversary and 20 years of South African Sign Language Interpreting Services were marked.Giraffe Research Programme and Infrastructure launched at Amanzi Private Game Reserve.ARU and SAEON installed the highest weather station in Southern Africa on the Maloti-Drakensberg Amphitheatre.State-of-the-art analytical laboratory launched on the Qwaqwa Campus.UFS began developing a new Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree and veterinary teaching hospital on the South Campus.