The University of the Free State (UFS) is proud to announce the next instalment of its prestigious Thought-Leader Series, titled Reimagining Higher Education for Employability and Sustainability. This highly anticipated event, in collaboration with the Free State Arts Festival, will take place on Thursday, 17 July 2025, from 12:00 to 14:00 at the Albert Wessels Auditorium on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. Attendance is free and open to the public.

Now in its seventh year, the UFS Thought-Leader Series has become a vital platform for robust public dialogue on critical local and global issues. The series showcases influential voices from across academia, business, and civil society, reinforcing the university’s commitment to thought leadership, public engagement, and transformative impact.

Rethinking the purpose of Higher Education

This year’s theme comes at a crucial time when questions of graduate employability, economic sustainability, and the evolving role of higher education are being hotly debated across the country. South Africa continues to face rising youth unemployment, rapid technological change, and a shifting global economy. In this context, the panel will explore how universities can better align their teaching, research, and engagement missions with the real-world needs of graduates and the broader society.

Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, will serve as the facilitator for the session. With her extensive leadership experience and academic insight, she will guide what promises to be an engaging and forward-looking discussion.

Esteemed panel of speakers

The event will feature four distinguished panellists:

Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town , Dr Price brings a wealth of experience in higher education leadership. A medical doctor by training, he is also a Rhodes Scholar and holds postgraduate qualifications in public health. He recently authored Statues and Storms: Leading through change, a memoir that reflects on navigating leadership during turbulent times in South African higher education.

Currently the CEO of Universities South Africa (USAf), Dr Matutu is a seasoned science and education strategist with a background in mathematics. She has played key roles at the National Research Foundation and the Department of Science and Technology, driving initiatives that transformed the research and innovation landscape. Her work continues to advance access, transformation, and excellence in the post-school sector.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at Sol Plaatje University, Prof Green is an expert in systems thinking and higher education quality. With a PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, he has held senior academic roles across several institutions and contributed extensively to research on education service delivery. His work focuses on integrating teaching, research, and innovation for societal benefit.

Prof Dube is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the Central University of Technology (CUT), and the first female Vice-Chancellor in the Free State. A globally experienced academic and leader, she has held senior roles in several universities and national institutions. Her work spans student development, postcolonial studies, gender equity, and tech-human interfaces, earning her numerous awards and international recognition.

Event details