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10 September 2018 Photo Anja Aucamp
Health forum celebrates 50 years of research
Throughout the years many renowned researchers shared their work via the Faculty Research Forum in the UFS Faculty of Health Sciences.
Fifty years ago, visionaries in healthcare established a research forum. Throughout the years, many renowned researchers shared their work via this platform. On 30 and 31 August 2018, the Faculty Research Forum in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) hosted their annual event, and celebrated the forum’s 50th anniversary. The programme was characterised by high-quality presentations covering a range of relevant topics, with exhibitors displaying current and innovative technology in the health sciences field. 

On the shoulders of giants

According to the Faculty of Health Sciences Dean, Prof Gert van Zyl, the Faculty Research Forum is a highlight on their calendar. “We owe all our gratitude and appreciation to the founders of the forum, as well as 50 years of researchers who share their research with us each year.” This year was no exception, with interesting and relevant presentations. Evaluations committees comprising external and faculty adjudicators awarded prizes to research articles and student presentations. The level of work showcased once again proved that health science research on campus is alive and well – contributing to the study field. 

Small success

During the FP Retief Lecture, keynote speaker Prof Tahir Pillay shared his passion for new diagnostic probes for laboratory medicine using nanobodies and next generation technology. Prof Pillay is Chief Specialist, Professor and Head of the Department of Chemical Pathology at the University of Pretoria. He is also involved with the National Health Laboratory service, Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the Director of the Division of Clinical Pathology and Clinical Pathology training programme. 

A captive audience appreciated his explanation of what alpacas, llamas, and sharks have in common. These animals have small, single-chain, stable antibodies, significantly improving the possibilities in the field of antibody technology – a chance discovery with far-reaching impacts. 

News Archive

JN Boshoff Memorial Lecture: Dr Charles Nwaila
2005-09-13

Dr Charles Nwaila, Director-General of the Free State Provincial Government and Vice-Chairperson of the University of the Free State's (UFS) Council, recently discussed the repositioning of the Free State Provincial  Government to respond to the 21st century demands during the JN Boshoff Memorial Lecture at the UFS. 

 

 

From left:  Dr Nwaila; Prof Tienie Crous, Dean:  Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences; Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor and Dr Moses Sindane, Departmental Chairperson:  Department of Public Management at the UFS.
 

A summary of the lecture.

Free State government to focus on training of public servants

The Free State provincial government in collaboration with higher education institutions in the province is to establish the Free State Association of Public Administration to get public servants to work effectively towards the growth and development of the province.
This was announced by the Director-General of the Free State provincial government, Dr Charles Nwaila, during a lecture he delivered at the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein this evening (Thursday 8 September 2005).

Delivering the annual JN Boshoff Memorial Lecture at the UFS, Dr Nwaila called on higher education institutions to play a critical and leading role in the re-engineering of the existing Provincial Training and Development Institute housed at the Vista campus of the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein.

Dr Nwaila was formerly the Superintendent-General (head) of the Free State Department of Education and currently serves as the Deputy Chairperson of the Council of the University of the Free State.
He said the proposed Free State Association of Public Administration is a joint initiative with the National Academy of Public Administration based in Washington DC.

“We take this opportunity to invite the University of the Free State and other knowledge based institutions to join the Provincial Government in fostering a collaborative network to help us develop our public servants,” Dr Nwaila said.
He said there were accelerating demands and a lot of pressure on limited resources, with Free Staters expecting more from their government than ever before.

“Civil servants in a developmental state are servants of the people, champions of the poor and the downtrodden and not self-serving individuals that seek only advancement on the career ladder,” Dr Nwaila said.
According to Dr Nwaila, the Free State Growth and Development Strategy has identified 11 areas that need to be addressed by the year 2014, including:

• To reduce unemployment from 38% to 20%
• To improve the functional literacy rate from 69,2% to 85%
• To stabilize the prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS  and reverse the spread of the disease
• To provide a free basic service to all households
• To provide adequate infrastructure for economic growth and development


Dr Nwaila said that the Free State government will continue to follow a people-centred approach towards these development objectives with a keen sense of unity and unwavering determination to create the best of times for the Free State and all its people.


 

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