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Prof Stef Coetzee, former Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), passed away in the Mediclinic Cape Gate on Saturday 27 October 2018.
Prof Coetzee assumed duty as the 11th Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS on 1 April 1997. He will be remembered for his drive to promote transformation at the UFS. During his time as Rector and Vice-Chancellor, he initiated a revitalisation process (turnaround strategy) which was ultimately finalised by his successor, Prof Frederick Fourie.
Among others, he established a Broad Transformation Forum (BTF) and transformation office to draft a new political framework for the UFS. He strived to manage the university as a business enterprise and was focused on developing the academy in an entrepreneurial manner. His legacy includes the establishment of the BTF, the revitalisation process (turnaround strategy), academic revitalisation, growing student numbers, and increased research outputs. He stepped down as Rector at the end of 2002.
“The turnaround strategy initiated by Prof Coetzee during his term as Rector and Vice-Chancellor is still evident today in the management approach of the UFS. On behalf of the executive management and the university community, I wish his family, relatives, and former colleagues all the best during this difficult and sad time. I hope that they will find comfort in his significant contribution to various sectors in the country – especially at the UFS,” said Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.
Prof Stef Coetzee obtained his MA degree in Economics at Stellenbosch University in 1973, and a DPhil in Development Economics at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 1980. He is a former Executive Officer of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut and was also associated with Unisa and the North-West University.
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Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
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UFS contributes to prevention and combating of crime
2007-03-08
The Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) is going to establish an Institute for Judicial Excellence to make a decisive contribution to the prevention and combating of crime in the country.
This announcement was made today (Wednesday 7 March 2007) after the Symposium on Violent Crime by Judge Faan Hancke, one of the presiding officers of the symposium and Chairperson of the UFS Council. The symposium was presented by the Faculty of Law on the UFS Main Campus in Bloemfontein.
“This institute will have a multi-disciplinary approach which will not only involve the Faculty of Law, but also expertise from the Faculty of the Humanities and the UFS School of Management. Each of the role players will focus on a specific area,” said Judge Hancke.
According to Judge Hancke the Faculty of Law will focus on the training of lawyers involved with the administration of justice such as magistrates and prosecutors in Southern Africa, the Faculty of the Humanities will focus on research on the causes of crime and the UFS School of Management will focus on supporting the South African Police Service (SAPS) with management training.
“This proposal has already been approved by the Faculty’s Council and will now be put before the UFS Council,” said Judge Hancke.
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
7 March 2007