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14 January 2019 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Anja Aucamp
Study Bug Bites Historian Early
Prof Corene de Wet, South Campus researcher, is a dedicated historian and educator.

From a childhood dream of being a historian, to a decades-long educator and double doctorate-holder, Prof Corene de Wet has led an eventful life. Realising that her undergrad qualification on its own would not get her a job, she completed the Higher Diploma in Education at the then Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. However, “just to buy some time for myself,” she decided to study part-time while teaching in Winburg.

Prof De Wet calls it “being bitten by the part-time study bug.” By 1991, she had obtained her BEd (an honours degree at the time), MEd, and DEd degrees. In 1999, she graduated with a PhD in History. Today, Prof De Wet is still a research associate on our South Campus.

Tremendous milestones and mentors

Dr Lynette Jacobs, co-researcher on several projects, says, “Prof De Wet was the first woman to receive a full professorship in the Faculty of Education, and the first woman in the faculty to obtain an NRF rating. She received her professorship at a time when the academic world belonged to men. She outclassed her peers, rising head and shoulders above the crowd.”

Prof De Wet says her superhero is Prof Daniella Coetzee, South Campus Principal and long-time colleague. “Prof Coetzee is a brilliant academic and organiser. She makes every member of her staff feel special. I am ever thankful that she saw the need for a researcher on the South Campus and that she appointed me in this position,” says Prof De Wet.

“She is a seasoned academic who
still enjoys international recognition.”
—Dr Lynette Jacobs.

Generational history and work ethic

Although much has changed in education since her initial research, Prof De Wet believes that both her doctoral dissertations still bear scrutiny. Regarding the zeitgeist and its impact on the written history of a nation, Prof De Wet says, “We regularly hear many voices today who say that history must be ‘rewritten’. My thesis dealt with exactly that: How different generations of historians wrote histories influenced by the spirit of the time, or by textbooks, or by their own political or world views, or their philosophy on life. Thus, different generations interpret the same events differently.”

During a career spanning more than four decades, Prof De Wet has upheld a strong work ethic. This has enabled her to maintain her C-rating as an NRF researcher. “If one doesn’t dare, if you are too afraid of critique or failure, you won’t get anywhere in academia,” she says, adding, “Criticism is part of academic life. Therefore, take chances, and learn from healthy, constructive criticism.”

News Archive

New Rector and Chancellor inaugurated at UFS
2003-02-07

NEW RECTOR AND CHANCELLOR INAUGURATED AT UFS

 Newly inaugurated Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, Prof Frederick Fourie, has recommitted the university to the service of the broader community, through the pursuit of academic excellence and contributing to building a non-racial, democratic and just South Africa.

To make this a reality Prof Fourie proposed a social contract or accord between university constituencies and the community to chart the way forward to establishing a university that can meet the challenges of a developing democracy.

Prof Fourie was speaking at his inauguration ceremony on the Bloemfontein campus, where the former Ambassador to the United States, Dr Franklin Sonn, was also inaugurated as Chancellor of the UFS.

The twin inauguration ceremony – the first in the history of the UFS - was attended by former President Nelson Mandela, Education Minister, Kader Asmal, Free State Premier Winki Direko, and the executive mayor of Mangaung, Mr Pappie Mokoena, who all endorsed the appointments as evidence of the transformation of the UFS.

According to Prof Fourie, the greatest contribution that any university could make to social and economic development in South Africa was by being an excellent university that encouraged critical inquiry, scientific knowledge as well as community service.

“So whilst we cherish and foster the continuity of the university as part of the ageold international tradition of universities, this University embraces its particular role in this country now, embraces the changes in the form and scope of its role in this crucial period of our history. We are committed to making a real difference to the new nation,” he said.

His vision for the UFS was “to be a university of excellence, equity and innovation – a leader in research, teaching, community service, adult learning, transformation, non-racialism, non-sexism, multi-culturality and multilingualism – a contributor to our country and our continent’s growth and development – a truly South African university”.

Prof Fourie said the recent incorporation of the Qwaqwa campus of the University of the North into the University of the Free State, which is the first such incorporation to take place, would contribute to broadening access for poor communities to higher education. Introducing an innovation to the inauguration ceremony, Prof Fourie and the UFS staff pledged to their commitment to excellence and justice, quality and equity. Fourie is the 13th Rector of the University of the Free State, succeeding Prof. Stef Coetzee, and Dr Sonn is the 6th Chancellor, succeeding Ms Winkie Direko, Premier of the Free State.

In his inaugural address, Dr Sonn said the significance of today’s ceremony was that the UFS - as a former institution of the Afrikaner – had chosen to walk the path of justice and not merely survival. “This university has seemingly liberated itself. It is inclusively South African.

He said the academic community must play its role of vigilance and not indifference”. Referring to the stature of former president Mandela in international affairs, Dr Sonn said: “We must bring the weight ot science and critical analysis and interpretation to bear in support of Madiba and other moral giants.”
 

 

Inauguration Speech by Prof. Frederick C.v.N. Fourie  (PDF format)

Inauguration Speech by Dr Franklin A. Sonn (PDF format)

Statement by the Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal (PDF format)

Speech by Prof. Viljoen (PDF format)

Speech by Executive Mayor Mokoena - Mangaung Local Municipality (PDF format)

 

 

 

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