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28 May 2018

The National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings are considered the benchmark for research excellence. This year the University of the Free State (UFS) has 17 newly NRF-rated researchers. This brings the total number of NRF-rated researchers at UFS to 160.
 
NRF ratings are allocated based on a researcher’s recent research outputs and impact as perceived by national and international peer reviewers. The rating system encourages researchers to publish high-quality research papers in journals of high impact and to publish books through reputed academic publishers. The NRF rating system is a valuable tool for benchmarking the quality of our researchers against the best in the world.

Research at the heart of the UFS
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, has indicated that the UFS provides significant support to researchers to apply for new NRF ratings or to re-apply for rating. These initiatives include the mock NRF rating panels managed by the Prestige Scholars Programme (PSP), evaluation of individual research outputs and recommendations on timely applying for rating, and improvements on rating applications by a panel consisting of internal and external members. These initiatives are bearing fruit by increasing the number of rated researchers who will transform the research profile and increase the diversity of UFS researchers.
Cultivating the best researchers.

According to Eleanor van der Westhuizen, from Research Development: “The rating of individuals is based primarily on the quality and impact of their research outputs over the past eight years, taking into consideration the evaluation made by local and international peers. It identifies researchers who count among the leaders in their fields of expertise and gives recognition to those who have a sustained production of high-quality research outputs. Several South African universities use the outcomes of the NRF evaluation and rating process to position themselves as research-intensive institutions, while others such as the UFS provide incentives for their staff members to acquire and maintain a rating.”

Cream of the crop
The UFS has also upped the ante with regard to its total number of NRF-rated researchers during the latest rating and evaluation, with an increase from 149 to 160 rated researchers in 2018.
 
Prof Heidi Hudson, Dean of Humanities, received an NRF B-rating, which brings the total of B-rated researchers to six. Other B-rated researchers incude Prof Johann Meyer (Mathematics), Prof Fanie Snyman and Prof Francois Tolmie (Theology), Prof Felicity Burt (Medical Microbiology) and Prof Andre Roodt (Chemistry). A total number of 10 new C-ratings and six new Y-ratings were achieved during the 2018 evaluation process.

“NRF-rating is indicative of the university’s drive to enhance its research profile nationally and internationally. Congratulations to all the scientists and scholars who received a rating in 2017. I am thankful to our academics for their commitment to the rating process,” said Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research at the UFS.

News Archive

Huge interest in Ms Oprah Winfrey's visit to our university
2011-06-10

 

Staff and students from our Bloemfontein Campus queued since early this morning to obtain their tickets.
Photo: Phelekwa Mpono

The atmosphere on our campuses is electric with the upcoming visit and Graduation Ceremony of Ms Oprah Winfrey in Bloemfontein.

Ms Winfrey will receive an Honorary Doctorate in Education from our university on Friday, 24 June 2011.

Every single ticket for the event was snapped up within hours of becoming available this morning (Wednesday, 15 June 2011). Staff and students queued in front of the Information Centre on our university’s Bloemfontein Campus to get their free tickets, while the general public did the same at Computicket outlets throughout the country.

The university would like to thank everyone for their positive attitude and eagerness to be part of this special day. A special thank you to all our staff and students who have volunteered their services and are helping to plan and manage the event.

The university requests everyone who has managed to secure a ticket to ensure that they arrive early on the Bloemfontein Campus that day.

On Friday, 24 June 2011, the doors of the Callie Human Centre will open for both special guests and the public in general at 13:00. The doors will close strictly at 14:00 and no one will be allowed to enter or leave the building for reasons of safety and security.

Entertainment before and after the Graduation Ceremony will be provided by acclaimed musicians such as the internationally lauded, award-winning singer Sibongile Khumalo, the Botshabelo String Orchestra, the Bloemfontein Children’s Choir and the choir of the Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind.

After the Graduation Ceremony, Ms Winfrey will formally address the 4 500 guests, after which she will conduct a Question-and-Answer Session with students from the large audience. 


Media Release
15 June 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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