18 November 2025
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Story Precious Shamase
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Photo Mpolai Moji
Attendees at the Postgraduate Conference 2025.
The University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus recently hosted a vibrant inaugural Postgraduate Conference, gathering scholars under the compelling theme: Transformative Research for Sustainable Futures: Innovation, Inclusion and Impact. The two-day event served as a crucial intellectual conversation, emphasising the role of postgraduate studies in driving real-world change. This conference attracted postgraduate students from all campuses, with approximately 112 abstracts presented by 80 postgraduate students, drawn from several Faculties across the university.
A call to intellectual action
The conference was officially opened by the Campus Principal, Prof Prince Ngobeni, who set a high bar for engagement. In his opening address, he described the gathering as “a vital space for intellectual exchange,” where “theories are tested, collaborations are sparked, and future leaders emerge”. He strongly urged attendees to “engage deeply, listen actively, and contribute generously to the discussions.”
Keynote focus: Beyond the thesis
The programme featured three distinguished keynote speakers who challenged the postgraduate students to think beyond traditional academic outputs:
Prof Vasu Reddy: Research that matters
The first keynote address was delivered by
Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies. Professor Reddy emphasised that this will be travelling conference and it will be an annual event, with the 2026 edition to take place in Bloemfontein. His lecture, titled
Making a Case for Transformative Research for Sustainable Futures: Innovation, Inclusion and Impact, positioned transformative research as a powerful catalyst for sustainable societal futures.
Prof Reddy shared personal and professional experiences in his address, indicating that he “entered postgraduate studies unsure” if he “belonged in academia, feeling overwhelmed by expectations. This reminded me that progress begins with small steps. I learned that starting imperfectly is better than waiting for perfect conditions.”
He shared the idea that “mentorship taught me that success is never solitary. Gratitude and collaboration are the pillars of academic growth. I realized that true fulfillment comes from contributing to others. Research became my way of making a difference.”
Prof Reddy advocated for innovation beyond technology, inclusion that values diverse voices, and impact that drives real-world change. He made the point that “transformative research challenges conventional thinking, addresses pressing societal issues, and contributes to meaningful change. It is research that not only generates new knowledge but redefines how knowledge is created and applied.”
He provided examples from ecological studies to gender and identity research, emphasising the necessity of ethical and socially relevant enquiry. Crucially, he posed a pivotal question to the scholars: “What does it mean to do research that matters?” His own succinct answer was: “It is research that fills gaps of knowledge.”
Emeritus Prof Azwidohwi Philip Kutame: Bridging theory and lived experience
Prof Azwidohwi Philip Kutame from the University of Venda followed with a focus on personal scholarly development in his address:
Becoming a Transformative Scholar: The Role of Postgraduate Research in Shaping a Sustainable Future.
Prof Kutame called for research that not only challenges conventions but also translates into solutions that strengthen communities and influence policy. He anchored his message in the spirit of ubuntu and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urging researchers to bridge the gap “between theory and lived experience, between the academy and society”. He stressed the importance of drawing from indigenous knowledge systems and local contexts to create enduring solutions, noting that transformative scholars move beyond “personal advancement to collective upliftment”.
Dr LS Spencer: The leadership to implement change
The final keynote address, delivered by
Dr LS Spencer from Prairie View A&M University, shifted the focus to
Transformational Leadership – the essential element required to put research into action.
The presentation explored the key principles of this dynamic leadership approach, motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualised consideration. Dr Spencer demonstrated how fostering a culture of trust and innovation is vital for driving meaningful organisational change. Participants were given actionable strategies to cultivate a leadership style that not only “transforms organisations but also enriches the lives of those they lead”.
Multidisciplinary engagement
The conference attracted presenters from a variety of disciplines across all UFS faculties, ensuring a rich and comprehensive exchange of ideas. The inaugural event successfully launched a platform for postgraduate students to engage critically, collaborate meaningfully, and commit to conducting bold, rigorous, and empathetic research that will ultimately advance knowledge and redefine responsible living in a changing world.
Prof Reddy emphasised that “innovation in transformative research is not limited to technology. It includes rethinking paradigms, challenging dominant narratives, and creating space for new voices.” For Reddy, “impact is the tangible effect of research on society, policy, and practice. It moves beyond academic outputs to influence lives and systems.”