From the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester Klopper
Welcome to the University of the Free State.
Welkom by die Universiteit van die Vrystaat.
O a amohelwa ho University of the Free State.
Siyakwamukela eNyuvesi yase-Free State.
Welcome to the university where all our actions are guided by quality, impact, and care while we inspire excellence and transform lives with a continuous outward focus.
Everything we do must matter. We do not just want to change with the times, we want to lead change. Our past achievements and accomplishments, infused with a commitment to transform, offer a dynamic and innovative space for our students and staff.
Vision 130 is our guiding light for the road ahead, leading to 2034 when our beloved university will celebrate 130 years of existence. It provides stability and clarity for planning and decision-making and allows us to extend our influence and impact locally, regionally, and globally. Ultimately, we want to establish ourselves as a top-tier university in South Africa, ranked among the best in the world. Since its launch in November 2022, we have made great strides towards realising some of our key Vision 130 goals. With academic excellence, quality, and impact, we want to generate and impart new knowledge to make the world a better place. This will only be possible through sustainable relationships, as well as a diverse, inclusive, and equitable university culture.
As one of the oldest and most esteemed institutions of higher education in South Africa, we have grown from six students in a single faculty in 1904, to around 40 000 students in seven faculties, spread out over three diverse campuses in South Africa’s Free State province.
As a research-led institution, our research efforts are driven by dedicated scholars, some of whom are international leaders in their fields, and are aimed at industry and social impact and real-world application. We apply our knowledge and skills to respond to societal needs around us – including playing an important developmental role in the schools in our feeder area.
Our students are at the heart of what we do. We have developed holistic student support initiatives – ranging from academic to psycho-social and peer support – enabling us to achieve some of the highest success rates in the country. These student support measures have earned us international recognition and have helped us to uphold a long tradition of quality teaching and learning, as we harness technology and advanced data analytics to stay at the forefront of pedagogical excellence.
Our quality graduates are in demand globally. Their employability is supported by continuous curriculum renewal that is informed by our established network of industry partners and close collaboration with the public and private sectors.
As a university, we are also a responsible global citizen, embracing our obligation towards our students, staff, stakeholders, society in general, and the global knowledge community, through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Built on a value bedrock of excellence, innovation and impact, accountability, care, social justice and sustainability, we will continue to contribute to development and social justice through the production of globally competitive graduates and knowledge, making an impact in our country, our continent, and our world.
We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful campuses!
Prof Hester C. Klopper
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
University of the Free State
Dear colleagues and students,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Prof Bulelwa Nguza-Mduba as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations, effective 1 January 2026. In this role, Prof Nguza-Mbuda will provide strategic leadership for the Human Resources, University Estates, Protection Services, Information and Communication Technology Services, and Commercial Enterprise portfolios.
Most recently, Prof Nguza-Mduba served as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management and Public Administration Sciences at Walter Sisulu University (WSU). She previously held the role of acting Rector of the Butterworth Campus (2021-2023), where she oversaw institutional operations spanning Teaching and Learning, Governance, Information and Technology Services, Finance, and Student Affairs.
A seasoned higher education leader, Prof Nguza-Mduba holds a Doctor of Business Administration (University of KwaZulu-Natal), master’s degrees in business leadership (Unisa) and education (UFS), as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Management (University of Bath, United Kingdom). Her academic foundation also includes multiple qualifications in commerce and education from Unisa and the former University of Transkei.
She is an active contributor to the national higher education ecosystem through roles in Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), the community of practice for university management, and Higher Education Leadership and Management (HELM). Her scholarly work focuses on entrepreneurship, and she has successfully supervised postgraduate research in public and business administration.
Prof Nguza-Mduba is recognised for bridging academia and societal impact, having led initiatives in youth empowerment, tourism partnerships with municipalities, rehabilitative training for inmates, and support programmes for the elderly. She has also generated significant third-stream income, securing grants from FASSET and BANKSETA to advance student support, infrastructure development, and community-based innovation.
Prof Nguza-Mduba brings a wealth of experience and insight to this role. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to advancing innovation and excellence across the higher education sector. Her appointment strengthens the university’s strategic focus on people-centred leadership, operational excellence, and socially responsive transformation. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to Prof Nguza-Mduba for success in this important leadership role.
Please join me in welcoming Prof Nguza-Mdubato to the University of the Free State. I am confident that under her leadership, the People and Operations portfolio will grow from strength to strength.
Sincerely,
Prof Hester C. Klopper
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
University of the Free State