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The University of the Free State (UFS) mourns the passing of Prof Lis Lange, former Vice-Rector: Academic, on 8 October 2025. Prof Lange was appointed at the UFS as Senior Director: Directorate for Institutional Research and Academic Planning (DIRAP) on 1 January 2011 and left the employ of the university on 31 July 2018. 

Prof Lange has played a significant role in developing and transforming the academic profile of the UFS. She has developed a robust framework for academic planning; assisted with developing the Integrated Transformation Plan (ITP), as well as the Strategic Plan of the UFS for 2018-2023; driven the work of some of the Vice-Chancellor’s task teams; and various other strategic projects.

At the time of her passing, she was acting Senior Director: Division for Learning and Teaching Enhancement at Stellenbosch University.

The university extends its condolences to Prof Lange’s family, friends, and colleagues and wishes them strength during this difficult time.