The Executive Management Committee (EMC) of the University of the Free State (UFS) and the Vice-Chancellor’s Management Committee of the Central University of Technology (CUT) convened this week for an executive dinner engagement hosted by Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS. 

Bringing together executive leadership from both institutions, the engagement provided a strategic platform to deepen collaboration and identify areas of mutual interest. The meeting forms part of ongoing discussions between the two universities and reflects a shared commitment to purposeful, sustained partnership.

In welcoming the CUT delegation, Prof Klopper emphasised that the close geographic proximity of the two institutions presents a distinctive opportunity for meaningful and consistent collaboration. She noted that inter-institutional cooperation is essential to advancing student success, strengthening institutional impact, and contributing to national development priorities.

Prof Pamela Dube, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of CUT expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by the UFS and reaffirmed the importance of collaborative initiatives that benefit both institutions and the communities they serve. 

The engagement aligns strongly with the University of the Free State’s strategic focus on responsible societal futures, which calls for partnerships that enable universities to respond collectively and proactively to pressing societal challenges. By strengthening collaboration at the executive level, the UFS and CUT are positioning themselves to enhance impact, expand opportunities for students, and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s national agenda.