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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

The overall winner of the national Sêr is Veritas!
2015-09-01



Veritas
Photo: Johan Roux

Walking away with the top prize of R10 000 and bragging rights, the 2015 national Sêr champions were none other than Veritas. Hosted by Stellenbosch University, the biggest university music competition, the 2015 ATKV University Serenade Competition, was held on 28 August 2015. Sêr finalists from various universities in the country converged to witness the moment when the best a cappella group emerged with the crown.

Marjolein
Photo: Johan Roux

This is the fifth time that the residence is in the musical excellence spotlight. Veritas made its debut as national champions in 1997, and have proved adamant to expand their trophy collection as the 2001, 2003, 2010 and 2015 title holders.

Earlier in the month, Veritas had battled it out against Vishuis and Armentum at the university Kleinsêr for the privilege of representing the university nationally. Veritas has done the university proud at the nationals by triumphing once again over the hosts, Sonop, and Pieke from the University of Pretoria in the Best Self composed and Best Prescribed song categories.

Marjolein, the ladies’ title holders at the UFS, took second place in the ladies’ category. Although it was a tough competition, Marjolein still walked away with titles for Best Self Composition and Best Prescribed Songs.

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