Research • Teaching • Impact • Sport

Excellence made visible across UFS

Explore the people, research chairs, awards, specialist units, impact areas, and sporting achievements that make up a living ecosystem of UFS excellence.

Recognised excellence

From A-rated scholars to national research chairs

A condensed overview of top-rated researchers, SARChI and specialist chairs, and major institutional recognition.

3

A-rated scholars

Prof Melanie Walker, Prof Maxim Finkelstein, and Prof Victor Houliston

Top Rated Scholars
7

SARChI Chairs

City-region economies, pathogenic yeasts, zoonotic pathogens, field crops, materials, human development, and trophic ecology

National research chairs
7

ARC-DoA-UFS Chairs

Climate-smart agriculture, agro-processing, livestock, risk financing, and innovation communication

Climate-smart food systems
2

Named Chairs

SANRAL Chair and ETDP-SETA Chair in education-focused fields

Applied national priorities
3

2025 Awards

Established Researcher, Young Achiever, and Vice-Chancellor’s Learning and Teaching awards

Exceptional Academic Achievers
2025 spotlight

Exceptional Academic Achievers Awards

The annual awards recognise established research excellence, rising academic achievement, and leadership in learning and teaching.

Exceptional Established Researcher Award Prof Maryke Labuschagne
Exceptional Young Achiever Award Prof Wynand Goosen
Vice-Chancellor’s Award in Learning and Teaching Dr Frelét de Villiers

Read more about the event

Impact ecosystem

Areas of excellence

Search or filter the UFS excellence ecosystem by theme — from health, law, sustainability, and water to teaching, science infrastructure, and student success.

No matching excellence areas found. Try a broader search term or select “All”.
Justice & Society

Africa Reparation Hub

The Faculty of Law hub shapes national and international dialogue on reparations for colonialism and apartheid, supporting research, teaching, advocacy, historical justice, and redress.

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Environment

Afromontane Research Unit

Empowers vulnerable mountain communities with environmental, social, and economic knowledge for resilient futures.

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Food Systems

Agriculture to Agro-Processing

Works towards improved food security in Africa through genetic improvement of staple crops.

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Health

Arboviruses and Zoonotic Diseases Research Unit

Researches locally prevalent diseases transferred from animals to humans, strengthening public health in South Africa.

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Health

Biobank

Collects, processes, and securely stores human biological samples and clinical information for approved studies, postgraduate training, and partnerships.

Institutional focus area
Leadership

Business School Africanisation initiative

Integrates African perspectives into teaching, research, and engagement to develop leaders grounded in Africa’s unique context.

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Health

Cancer Research

Gives cancer patients new hope through innovative research into cancer detection and treatment.

Institutional focus area
Health

Robert WM Frater Cardiovascular Research Centre

Leads in cardiac simulation technology on the African continent and advances research in heart biopsies, valve replacement, and pulmonary homografts.

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Health

Centre for Health Systems Research & Development

Produces high-impact research that informs health systems, policies, strategies, priority programmes, and practice.

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Teaching & Learning

Centre for Teaching and Learning

Promotes teaching excellence through advanced data analytics and innovative interventions for departments, staff, and students.

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Access

Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support

Creates academic opportunities for students with disabilities through universal design and accessibility approaches.

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Health

Clinical Simulation and Skills Unit

Offers safe, hands-on health-care training with human patient simulators, task trainers, and simulated patients.

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Justice & Society

Disability Rights Unit

Advances the rights of persons with disabilities through research and advocacy linked to international and African human-rights instruments.

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Environment

Ecological Engineering Institute of Africa

Builds cross-sector collaboration between academia, industry, and business to address Africa’s sustainability challenges.

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Teaching & Learning

Family Maths and Science Programme

Equips teachers and parents to raise the standard of maths and science teaching in lower primary grades.

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Justice & Society

Free State Centre for Human Rights

Strengthens a human-rights culture on UFS campuses, in the province, and nationally through research, advocacy, and litigation.

Institutional focus area
Justice & Society

Gender and Africa Studies

Advances understanding of Africa’s people, politics, culture, relations, and knowledge systems through an inter-faculty approach to gender studies.

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Environment

Green Futures Hub

Connects researchers, government, industry, and communities to co-create nature-based solutions for land rehabilitation, food and water security, and climate resilience.

Institutional focus area
Sustainability

High-tech solar plants

Reduces reliance on the national grid, limits power-outage impacts, lowers emissions, and has saved more than R94 million.

Institutional focus area
Indigenous Knowledge

Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Supports scientific study of natural medicines through AMITD, including research, training, and innovation for local and global partners.

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Water

Institute for Groundwater Studies

Africa’s leading groundwater research group dedicated to sustainable groundwater-resource management.

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Global Scholarship

International Studies Group

Supports postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows with mentorship and peer review for international research opportunities.

Institutional focus area
Science Infrastructure

Isotope Laboratory

Analyses stable isotopes to track environmental and biological processes, strengthening interdisciplinary research and global problem-solving.

Institutional focus area
Skills Development

Kovsie Phahamisa Academy

Bridges higher education, industry, and government to drive skills development, social transformation, and economic growth.

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Science Infrastructure

Magic Lab

Develops drone-based geological imaging for mineral and groundwater exploration in South Africa.

Institutional focus area
Health

Make the First 1 000 Days Count Initiative

Supports optimal health of mothers and children from conception to age two so children can reach their developmental potential.

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Science Infrastructure

Materials Sciences

Generates environmentally friendly low-energy lighting using phosphor materials for LED applications.

Institutional focus area
Health

National Control Laboratory for Biological Products

One of only 12 laboratories worldwide contracted to perform vaccine testing for the World Health Organisation.

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Science Infrastructure

Next Generation Sequencing Unit

Uses advanced DNA sequencing technologies to understand and counteract harmful viruses.

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Student Success

No Student Hungry Programme

Provides food allowances and daily access to balanced meals while encouraging reciprocal giving through community service.

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Food Systems

Paradys Experimental Farm

Provides practical training in animal and crop sciences, dairy production, fermentation, and community skills development.

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Arts & Culture

Programme for Innovation in Artform Development

Encourages experimental arts and uses creative practice to heal and enrich communities.

Institutional focus area
Law & Finance

School of Financial Planning Law

Leads in financial-planning education, with the Postgraduate Diploma recognised as a key step towards CFP® certification.

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Health

School of Nursing – SPACE

Offers immersive nursing simulation with authentic ICUs, VR, and standardised patient simulation rooms.

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Science Infrastructure

SciLytica Laboratory

Internationally accredited analytical testing laboratory serving pharmaceutical, clinical, chemical, and occupational-health sectors.

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Justice & Society

UFS Law Clinic

Provides free legal services to qualifying members of the public while offering practical training to Law students.

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Behavioural Sciences

UNIBS

Trains professionals in psychology at registered counselling psychologist level, with public service and research functions.

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Access

University Access Programme

Gives deserving school-leavers a second chance to enrol at tertiary institutions.

Institutional focus area
Health

Versius Surgical Robotic System

Enhances surgical precision through 3D visualisation and minimally invasive procedures, supporting health care and medical training.

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Sustainability

Waterwise operations

Conserves water through indigenous landscaping, greywater irrigation, rainwater harvesting, efficient technologies, and refill stations.

Institutional focus area
KovsieSport

A tradition of competitive excellence

Sporting achievement is part of the wider UFS story: shaping well-rounded graduates through representation, victories, and long-running institutional pride.

16 Olympians

including one gold medallist

1 Paralympian

triple medallist in the 1 500 m

1 Lesotho Olympian

international Olympic representation

77 Springboks

part of a proud rugby tradition

27 Blitzbok players

national sevens representation

29 National hockey players

across UFS sporting history

25 SA netball players

national netball representation

15 Protea cricket players

national cricket representation

3 National women’s football players

2 SA national and 1 Lesotho national player

105 SA athletes

a deep athletics pipeline

14 Years

national university tennis champions

2013 Varsity Netball

champions in 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021, and 2024

2015 Varsity Cup rugby

champions in 2015 and 2024

2025 Varsity Cup soccer

champions

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