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As we begin 2026, the University of the Free State steps into the year with renewed purpose and clarity. The work we started last year - refining our Strategic Plan and strengthening our commitment to Responsible Societal Futures - now moves into full implementation.

This year, we will deepen our focus on academic excellence, advance AI-enhanced research impact, accelerate institutional agility, and expand the partnerships that enable long-term societal growth. We are also investing in a culture that empowers students and staff to thrive in an era of rapid change.

Our vision for the UFS is one of confidence, courage, and collaboration. And as we move forward, we remain guided by a simple idea: the future is not something that happens to us - it is something we create.

Thank you to our partners, peers, and communities for walking this path with us. We look forward to a year of meaningful progress and collective impact.

Here’s to 2026 - a year of purpose, innovation, and shared futures.