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22 June 2020 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Anja Aucamp
Herkulaas Combrink.
A lot can be said about forecasting and modelling, its accuracy, and how it works. Forecasting and modelling provide any decision-maker with plausible predictions or outcomes to give some kind of estimated consequence. Without this field of science, planning would be difficult, as one would simply make decisions without knowing what might potentially happen to a specific cohort, market, or product. Forecasting as a concept can be seen as a set of mathematical, statistical and/or computational tools applied to a set of assumptions about something.

This is according to Herkulaas Combrink of the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of the Free State (UFS) and PhD candidate in Computer Science at the University of Pretoria (UP), following the South African government’s modelling of how many people would contract COVID-19 and die, which has come under fire in recent times – with one expert saying it was “flawed and illogical and made wild assumptions”. 

Combrink is of the opinion that South Africa – by using the MASHA Consortium – is using the best minds that the country has to offer. The fact that the leadership took a pragmatic stance and reached out to the scientific community has mitigated a medical disaster in a healthcare system that was not ready a few months ago.

“The government is looking at as many models as they can, but is working very closely with MASHA and the CSIR” says Combrink, who has been involved in clinical surveillance, and also forms part of the modelling team during his secondment to the Free State Department of Health. 

Prof Shabhir Madhi, the former head of the SA National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), recently said that the initial modelling and fatality estimates were “back-of-envelope calculations”.

According to a news report, the government’s initial model also predicted that 600 COVID-19 patients would need treatment in intensive care units (ICU) in SA by April 1. But by April 18, the last publicly released figures showed that there were 32 COVID-19 patients in ICU.

Tried-and-tested models
The models currently used are tried-and-tested epidemiological models, mathematical models, and economic forecasting models that have been used in the past. It has now been calibrated to the specifications that we know of this disease, which come from publications. The reason why you would use more than one model is to compare models retrospectively, so that you can see what is going on.

“The government immediately reached out to the best minds in the country, and with the aid of the consortium, took a stance to throw scenarios at the different models and stress test them so that they could know that they are using the best possible models to assist in resource management and decision-making. If government responded in a different way and didn’t reach out, we might not have had a lockdown and subsequently would probably have been in a different position where the country wouldn’t be ready.” 

“We can say with a high degree of confidence that the lockdown really helps to ease and flatten the curve in the country. In light of flattening the curve, the right decisions have been made,” says Combrink.

COVID-19 still new
Unfortunately, says Combrink, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was not enough information related to the disease assumptions and it lacked the rigour and perfection associated with the already existing prediction models. Although it may feel like a lifetime, the first COVID-19 case was only reported in December 2019. Add to this that not all the parameters related to the disease were known in January, it was challenging to determine all the ‘ins and outs’ of this disease. 

“Luckily, the mathematics and statistics of an outbreak have been extensively studied, and as a result, we only needed to use the correct parameters to estimate the spread of the disease in some of the outbreak models. The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, and the national modellers led by Dr Harry Moultrie, were transparent with not only their projections, but also how they derived their conclusions and what parameters they used,” says Combrink.

The most important thing in modelling is to calibrate according to what is known about the disease and people, explains Combrink. “It is impossible to predict people and a disease100% accurately, because you don’t always know how a virus will react to every single person’s body and you can’t predict human behaviour.” 

“So, there is a certain degree of error and a certain degree of confidence that lies within each model, and that is why you evaluate these models on a regular basis. And this is important. You will never be able to say this is the exact number. Just like the weather. If the weather patterns were predicted to be 12 degrees tomorrow, and it turns out to be 16 degrees, you at least packed a jersey. You knew it was going to be cold. The chances that the weather predicts that it will be 12 and it turns out to be 57 degrees, is virtually zero. It gives you more or less an indication what to prepare for

Models are useful, but can also be wrong
Combrink says if you want to apply any model, you need to understand the assumptions and the limitations of the models. Given a certain set of criteria – what are the assumptions you are making and what are the expected outcomes – you can only act according to that. He says, as time goes by, we can now see that there are some models that yield much better results because we can now compare what was predicted two months ago and what is actually happening. 
 “Some models are useful. We can get a better understanding of the pandemic’s possible trajectories or gain an understanding of the impact that different interventions have made. Models are used for decision-making. These decision-making strategies can save lives. That is the purpose of models and modelling during these times.”

Combrink uses the weather forecast to explain how modelling works and that models can be wrong. “Yes, models are wrong all the time. Take the concept of weather as an example. How many times has the weather forecast predicted that there is an 80% chance of rain, and then it doesn’t rain? Models can give you a certain degree of confidence in an outcome related to a specific event or scenario, so that you, with some degree of confidence, can go forth and plan accordingly.” 

“However, models can’t tell you what exactly will happen tomorrow, or the day after. It is not a crystal ball, and it is not a mirror into the future, but it can give you an indication of what is likely possible related to a specific scenario if you used the right variables. Let us consider that there is an 80% chance of rain in the weather forecast; will you a) go to work without an umbrella or b) with an umbrella? If it doesn’t rain, you are at least prepared for the rain because you took your umbrella. If you didn’t take the umbrella and it does rain, you may run into trouble because you did not appreciate the warning of the weather forecast. I think it is this concept that makes modelling so powerful. You can use it as a tool to prepare for things, in the event that it does happen, with a certain degree of confidence. Just like the previous example, there is also a 20% chance that it might not rain, but wouldn’t you want to be prepared?” explains Combrink. 
 
Models are tools that can be used to base decisions on
No one truly knows how the pandemic will play out, and according to Combrink, it can be said with a high degree of confidence that if nothing is done about the pandemic, we know how it would turn out from a healthcare perspective. 
“If you look at some of the global projections they gave months ago (in January and February) and compare it to what they said for March and April, you can see that they predicted, with a fairly good degree of confidence, what actually happened in certain countries. We have a good idea in terms of numbers and how it will play out, but what we will never know is what the impact will be on the socio-economic status of a person, the economy, and the impact on other diseases.”

“We do not know what is going to happen when it comes to mental health and COVID-19, for example. This is why modelling is a multidimensional approach, requiring inputs from various fields. Models can help us in the same way the weather forecast does. It is a tool that we can use to base certain decisions on, to be more prepared, because without it we won’t know to pack an ‘umbrella’ if it is predicted to rain or pack a ‘jersey’ if it is projected to cool down.”

News Archive

Centenary medals - Photos of recipients
2004-10-15

The centenary medals: To give recognition and say thank you in the Centenary Year
As part of its Centenary celebrations, the University of the Free State (UFS) will tonight ( 15 October 2004) award 138 medals to various people in recognition of their exceptional and above average contribution, preferably with a lasting effect, to the establishment, development or transformation of the UFS.

“The celebration of an institution’s Centenary is a privilege. It is an important opportunity to look back appreciatively and critically, and to communicate the result of the introspection visibly. It is an opportunity to take stock and to count blessings. It is also an opportunity to reflect on matters that will require attention in the first part of the next hundred years,” said Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

“In looking back on 100 years, we realised that the UFS could celebrate its development and maturing as university, because of the contributions of people at all levels: current and former staff, alumni, students and community leaders. It is therefore apt to give special recognition, as part of the Centenary celebrations, to individuals,” said Prof. Fourie.

According to Prof. Fourie such recognition had to be something different from the usual special recognition such as honorary degrees, Chancellor’s Medals, Council Medals, long-service awards, special post levels and titles, faculty prizes, student prizes and student medals. This is how the idea to award Centenary Medals originated.

The medals are awarded to people from a wide spectrum: among others current and previous members of management, previous rectors, vice-rectors and deans, researchers and pioneers on a variety of other levels at the UFS.

The list includes: Mrs MT Bendile (community leader), Prof. EG Boonstra (previous dean and vice-rector), Prof L Goedhals (medical researcher), Dr. M Hoffman (physicist), Prof. KC Househam (for his role in the establishment of the MUCPP), Prof. Benito Khotseng (previous vice-rector), Prof. Stef Coetzee (previous rector), ms Esté de Klerk (former student and journalist), Prof. Theo du Plessis (linguist), Mrs Erica du Preez (faculty manager of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences), Prof. Dap Louw (forensic psychologist), Proff F Retief and W Mouton (previous rectors), Mr Peter Guy (founder of the Botshabelo Strings) and the UFS’s sport legend Mr NE Cronjé.

“A process such as this obviously contains risks and a great deal of thoroughness and fairness is required to do it as well as possible. A committee comprising representatives from different interest groups was appointed to handle the process,” said Prof. Fourie.

Achievers from the two new campuses (Qwaqwa and the former Vista Bloemfontein campus) were not considered. Special nomination and recognition opportunities at suitable times (for example their 25th celebrations) are envisaged.

The recipients are:


Mr. ET Altona

 For his central role in establishing, developing and modernising the UFS’s computer systems and services, particularly the development of sophisticated customised software


Dr. B Anderson

 For his pioneering work and caring attitude in introducing adult learning at the UFS, recognition of prior learning as well as the BML degree which is unique in South Africa.


Dr. S Aronstam

 For her pioneering role and innovative ideas in the UFS Council in respect of transformation and the rights of women and blacks in a predominantly conservative era.


Prof. PN Badenhorst

 For his strong role and national profile in establishing and developing Haematology as discipline at the UFS
Mr. NE Barnard For his special contribution as one of the student leaders who, with the Student Transformation Forum (STF), kept student transformation on course by means of wise compromises.


Prof. JCO Bekker

 For his pioneering work and academic initiatives in Public Management training and special ties with state departments, foreign institutions and the Flemish government.


Mrs MT Bendile

 For her pioneering work as team member in the founding of the MUCPP and the establishment of the first true partnership between the UFS, the community of Mangaung and the Free State Department of Health.
Prof. EG Boonstra For his role as scientist and Dean and his contribution as Vice-Rector, in particular to the quality of support services, as well as his community contributions to music and culture.


Prof. LJS Botes

 For his large role in developing the national research profile and success of the Centre for Development Support, the Master in Development Studies as well as the development of the UFS’s community service policy.


Mr. JH Botha

 For his large role as sports administrator over a period of almost 25 years, particularly in respect of junior rugby, where he has also played a large marketing role for the UFS as one of the best-known coaches in the country


Prof. B Britz

 For his expert educational and persuasive work which led to decisive decisions on high-quality campus planning and a stylish, human-friendly and accessible campus.


Prof. AV Br?ssow

 For his central role, as chief residence warden for  many years, in developing student support services by managing residences and in coaching sport.


Me C Castagno

 For her central role and initiatives in establishing a professional fund-raising function and professional image of the UFS in the business sector, particularly in Johannesburg and environs.


Prof. L Cilliers

 For her contribution to academic development and her research contribution in the field of Greek and Roman drama and history as well as ancient medicine.


Prof. SF Coetzee

 For his outstanding leadership as Rector during a term in which the University underwent dramatic changes and renewal, as well as his role as leader of the transformation team who changed the UFS from a mainly monocultural campus to a leader in transformation.


Mr. VF Collett

 For his enormous contributions regarding the development and professionalisation of student administrative systems, systematisation of regulations and the conversion to new administrative computer systems.


Mr. NE Cronje

 For his pioneering role and contributions over a long period, as sports administrator and coach, to effective sports organisation, coaching and facilities of the UFS, and the encouragement of mass participation of students in a variety of sports.


Prof. MJ Crous

 For his positive leadership as Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and the development of a rapidly growing Faculty in respect of teaching quality, foreign liaison and professional service and style in particular.


Me FM Cruywagen

 For her exceptional contribution over a long period as senior residence warden to the development of high-quality, caring service-rendering to students. 


Dr. J de Beer

 For his key role in the establishment and founding of the UFS’s Faculty of Medicine in partnership with the Free State Provincial Administration.


Me E de Klerk

 For her initiative in launching and developing the Kovsie Sêr and subsequently the national serenade competition, still one of the largest national campus culture projects.


Mr. NV de Klerk

 For his special contribution as one of the student leaders who, with the Student Transformation Forum (STF), kept student transformation on course by means of wise compromises.


Prof. B De la Rosa

 For his research contribution and central role in the development of the Department of Mathematics, the discipline of Mathematics and particularly the application of Mathematics at the UFS.


Prof. DJ De Waal

 For his central role in applying Bayes statistics in the industrial environment as well as his contribution to university management as head of department for 27 years and as member of the Executive Management and Council.


Mev AM Dippenaar

 For her central role in developing and internationalising the library, in particular in respect of information technology, as well as her pioneering role as a woman in a senior management position in information services and technology on the campus.


Prof. LT du Plessis

 For his outstanding academic entrepreneurship in establishing and developing the ULFE, as well as nationally and internationally recognised expertise on multilingualism and language management at the UFS.


Prof. JV du Plessis

 For his contribution, over a period of more than 35 years, to developing and managing Labour Law at the UFS, to innovation in labour law training, as well as managing the UFS’s pension fund.


Mev ES du Preez

 For her central role in developing and professionalising the post of Faculty Manager and her innovation in developing operational and technological systems.


Prof. JC du Preez

 For his steady and long-standing contribution to the initial development and further expansion of the research core in the discipline of Microbiology, particularly in respect of fermentation.


Prof. JA du Rand

 For his leadership role in establishing and developing research in Theology (New Testament) and a unique collection of Johannine literature at the UFS.


Mr. DC du Toit

 For his contribution to academic excellence as initiator of the academic publication service, as first editor of the new Acta Academica, as founder of the Journal for Juridical Science as well as innovative work in developing legal training.


Dr. MA Erasmus

 For her central role in developing the UFS’s community service policy and the establishment of integrated community service learning modules, as well as her contribution to the establishment of multilingualism at local government level.
Prof. D Ferreira For his central role as Distinguished Professor in Chemistry and A-evaluated researcher (NRF), in developing the UFS’s national and international research profile in Chemistry.


Prof. FCvN Fourie

 For his role as leader of the turn-around team which turned around the financial position of the UFS and created a sustainable basis for academic growth, for his innovation as Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences and later as Vice-Rector: Academic, as well as his research record and academic contributions as Distinguished Professor in Economics.


Prof. M Fourie

 For her outstanding contribution as member of the turn-around team which turned around the financial position of the UFS and created a sustainable basis for academic growth, as well as her pioneering role as a woman in a senior management position in academic planning.


Prof. L Goedhals

 For his central role in establishing and developing research and community service in Oncology, thereby contributing to the national profile of the UFS.


Prof. JU Grobbelaar

 For his leadership in establishing research and niche expertise in Limnology at the UFS, his leadership in the first biological expedition to Marion Island, as well as for his role as leader in developing human resource matters at the UFS.


Mr. CJ Grobler

 For his consistently valuable contributions in  the UFS Council, over a period of more than 20 years, in respect of balanced reform and new developments such as parallel-medium teaching.


Mr. PA Guy

 For his contribution to music transformation and his outstanding leadership and drive in establishing the Botshabelo Strings project, and the development of music talent among school children from previously disadvantaged communities, thereby strengthening the UFS’s community service.


Judge SPB Hancke

 For his leading role regarding alumni, fund-raising and financial support to students, specifically in founding the Kovsie Alumni Trust, as well as his contributions, as Council member and Chair of the Council, to wise and innovative decision-making.


Mrs N Handa

  For an outstanding contribution to the establishment of a culture of service and the advancement of the quality of the University.


Mr. G Hanise

 For an outstanding contribution, over a long period, to the establishment of a culture of service and the quality of the University’s grounds.


Prof. JJ Henning

 For his leadership role  in developing the Faculty of Law as well as his research record and contribution, as Distinguished Professor, to academic excellence and international recognition in company and partnership law at the UFS.
Prof. A du P Heyns For his strong role and national prominence as expert and leading figure in establishing and developing Haematology at the UFS.


Prof. FDI Hodgson

 For his academic entrepreneurship and initiative in successfully establishing a unique Institute for Groundwater Studies which has been known nationally and internationally since 1975 as high-level centre of expertise and a model of financial self-support.


Dr. MJH Hoffman

 For his initiative and sustained actions to develop the Boyden Observatory into an internationally recognised research centre as well as a science centre that introduces natural science to scholars.
Prof. KC Househam For his leadership and pioneering work in transformation through the establishment of the first true partnership between the UFS, the community of Mangaung and the Free State Department of Health.


Mr. AB Hugo

 For excellent service and ingenuity, in the Electronics Division of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, in designing new electronic apparatus en repairing existing ones.


Dr. B Human

 For his contribution to the development of the UFS’s fund-raising actions, particularly in respect of establishing physical facilities on the campus.
Prof. JLK Human For establishing serious music and jazz in Bloemfontein, developing the piano division at the UFS, and as recognised performing artist.


Mev BJ Immelman

 For her exceptional role in piano teaching of international quality at the UFS and in establishing high standards of piano-playing in South Africa


Ds CD Jaftha

 For his pioneering role in the first transformation discussions between the UFS and the Black and Coloured communities in the context of the Transformation Committee and the UFS Council, and also for his role in developing the UFS’s community service policy.


Mr. HP Johnson

 For his role as Registrar (Administrative and General) in developing the administrative functions at a strongly growing UFS in the seventies and eighties.


Mr. VS Khosana

 For his pioneering role in respect of labour relations, in trade union context, as well as his role as champion of workers’ interests with  a balanced grasp for management realities in the difficult staff reduction  process of 2000.


Prof. BM Khotseng

 For his pioneering role in establishing diversity, and the courage and determination with which he, as first black senior manager, member of the transformation team and Vice-Rector: Student Services, helped change the UFS from a mainly mono cultural campus to a leader in transformation.


Prof. JLF Kock

 For his outstanding research record and contribution, as Distinguished Professor, to academic excellence in the field of microbiology and lipid research at the UFS.


Mev HMC Kotze

 For her special and caring role, as social worker, in establishing high-quality and dedicated student support at the UFS.


Mev E Krantz

 For her enormous contribution to the development of theatre and particularly children’s theatre, her key role in numerous eisteddfods and speech examinations  as well as being a recital and radio artist of high calibre.


Prof. GP Lamprecht

 For his sustained and crucial contribution, over several decades, to the development of student and alumni choirs and the art of conducting choirs at the UFS.
Prof. PM Lategan For his outstanding academic entrepreneurship and vision to successfully develop Microbiology as discipline and as internationally recognised industry-oriented research centre at the UFS.


Dr. PAL le Roux

 For his outstanding contribution, as sports administrator and coach, to the development of karate as sport at the UFS.
Prof. DA Louw For his outstanding research record and contribution to academic excellence and international linkages in the field of Forensic Psychology.


Prof. DS Lubbe

 For his pioneering role as researcher in the field of accounting and audit, on social responsibility, environmental  accounting and corporate control.


Dr. N Luyt

 For his pioneering role in managing diversity at student level and the courage with which he, as a member of the transformation team, helped change the UFS from a mainly mono cultural campus to a leader in transformation.


Mr. PD Mabasu

 For his pioneering role in respect of labour relations in the founding years of trade unions at the UFS.


Mr. SP Mahlumba

 For his pioneering role in respect of labour relations in the founding years of the trade unions as well as his contribution to the pioneering work of the Transformation Committee


Mr. WS Malherbe

 For his role as a member of the turn-around team which turned around the financial position of the UFS and created a sustainable basis for academic growth, as well as his pioneering work in establishing management information and strategic planning.


Mr. FC Marais

 For his untiring enthusiasm and pioneering work in developing the Career Preparation Programme which is regarded internationally as a model of accessibility, and which has made an important contribution to the transformation of the UFS.


Mr. M Maseko

 For his outstanding contribution, over a long period, to the establishment of a culture of service and the quality of the University’s grounds.


Prof. BH Meyer

 For his academic entrepreneurship and key contribution to the establishment and development of Farmovs as internationally esteemed pioneering institution at the UFS.


Prof. BD Middlecote

 For his contribution to academic excellence through his key role in designing, developing and implementing the new five-year curriculum of the MB ChB programme at the UFS.


Prof. PC Minnaar

 For his outstanding contribution as developer of Medical Physics and the development of the national and international academic profile of the Faculty of Health Sciences.


Mrs M Molebatsi

 For her pioneering role in respect of labour relations, in trade union context, as well as her role as champion of workers’ interests with  a balanced grasp for management realities in the difficult staff reduction  process of 2000 as well as the Qwaqwa alignment process.


Mr. P P Mohloli

 For his outstanding contribution as one of the student leaders who, with the Student Transformation Forum (STF), kept student transformation on course by means of wise compromises.


Mr. JS Mokoka

 For his pioneering work as team member in the establishment of the MUCPP and the establishment of a first true partnership between the UFS, the community of Mangaung and the Free State Department of Health.


Prof. WL Mouton

 For the important contribution he made as Rector, Chair of the Council and Chancellor, particularly his leading role as Rector in the establishment and sustainable development of the UFS as strong research university.
Prof. FO M?ller For his outstanding academic entrepreneurship and key contribution to the establishment and development of Farmovs as internationally esteemed pioneering institution at the UFS.


Mr. AJ Murray

 For his outstanding role and contribution in establishing and developing Occupational Therapy, also in the context of community service.


Mrs MS Musi

 For her outstanding contribution to the establishment of a culture of service and the improvement of the quality of the buildings and cleaning services of the University.


Dr. JC Nel

 For his outstanding role, in various divisions, as member of the core team who established the modern administration of the UFS from the 1960s.


Prof. PJ Nel

 For his outstanding research record and contribution to academic excellence in Near-Eastern Studies as well as in multidisciplinary context, the establishment of new programmes, and the promotion of the study of African and indigenous knowledge systems.


Prof. DL Ochse

 For his numerous initiatives as music entrepreneur and contributions to the establishment and development of the Consortium Musicum, the Odeion Simfonia, the UOFS Piano Quartet, the Odeion String Quartet, the Odeion Musik Fest and Old Presidency concerts.


Mr. GJ Olivier

 For his exceptional dedication and contribution to the development of the SAPSE and HEMIS information systems, a user-friendly management information system and a unique UFS system for the allocation of FTE students.
Mr. G de W Pansegrouw For his outstanfing contribution to the development of fund-raising methods, particularly regarding the establishment of Shimla Park.


Me E Pelzer

 For her quality-driven and strategic contribution as a member of the turn-around team which turned around the financial position of the UFS in an innovative and sustainable manner, as manager of various special University projects, and as a woman in a senior management position in physical planning.


Prof. H Potgieter

 For his leadership as Dean and contribution to the effective management of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the promotion of high-quality teaching and research.


Mr. CF Preller

 For his outstanding role, as sports administrator and coach, in developing the UFS’s athletics profile, as well as developing the potential of numerous national and international achievers.


Prof. JL Pretorius

 For his research and widely recognised authoritative contribution to academic excellence in the field of Constitutional Law and Philosophy of Law, in particular constitutional and human rights studies as well as labour law.


Prof. ZA Pretorius

 For his outstanding research record and contribution, as Distinguished Professor, to academic excellence and international stature in the field of plant pathology and plant sciences at the UFS.


Me JS Prophet

 For her outstanding role as developer of a service-centred library, as pioneer in electronic information systems and staff diversity, as the personification of professionalism and quality. 


Mr. B Ramahlele

 For his pioneering role in establishing diversity and the personal risk, courage and determination with which he, as a member of the transformation team, helped change the UFS from a mainly mono cultural campus to a leader in transformation. 


Prof. FP Retief

 For his outstanding leadership role, and contributions as founder Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and as Rector, particularly the first important steps in respect of multicultural and parallel-medium teaching at the UFS.


Prof. WJ Richards

 For his outstanding contribution, as Dean and Vice-Rector, to academic integrity as well as the quality of academic support services at the UFS. 


Prof. CD Roode

 For his outstanding leadership and contribution, as Registrar (Academic) and Vice-Rector (Personnel and Administration), to the development of the University by establishing and developing a strong and professional administrative structure at the UFS.


Dr. AJ Schoonwinkel

 For his central role, as General Manager: Financial and Information Management, in developing and refining the financial management function and systems as well as investment practices of the UFS.


Prof. MT Seaman

 For his widely recognised expert leadership and initiatives in developing the teaching and research profile as well as financial sustainability of the Centre for Environmental Management.


Me JSK Sebothe

 For her outstanding contribution, over a long period,  to the establishment of a culture of service and the improvement of the quality of the accommodation services and facilities at the University.
Mr. IT Seshupo For his pioneering work with regard to labour relations in the founding years of trade unions, as well as in the Human Resources Department. 


Mr. MS Shamane

 For her pioneering role in respect of labour relations, in trade union context, as well as her role as champion of workers’ interests with  a balanced grasp for management realities in the difficult staff reduction  process of 2000 as well as the Qwaqwa alignment process.
Prof. CF Slabber For his leadership role and outstanding contribution, as academic and as Dean, to the development of the Faculty of Medicine into one of the best in the country.


Prof. JGC Small

 For his research record and contribution, as widely recognised botanist and later as Dean and Vice-Rector: Academic, to academic excellence, academic innovational and transformation management.


Prof. A van A Smit

 For his widely recognised unique expertise and key role in the stimulation, careful planning, good evaluation and successful establishment of entrepreneurial activities at the UFS.


Prof. AH Snyman

 For his positive leadership in the Faculty of Arts in a difficult rationalisation phase, and his outstanding dedication, calmness and human-centred approach to management.


Prof. DFM Strauss

 For his research record and outstanding contribution, as Distinguished Professor in Philosophy and internationally renowned expert in the Reformational tradition, to academic excellence and the international research stature of the UFS.


Mr. PME Strauss

 For his outstanding  contribution as one of the student leaders who, with the Student Transformation Forum (STF), kept student transformation on course by means of wise compromises.


Mr. S Strydom

 For his outstanding contribution, as sports administrator, to the development of Kovsie Sport, effective sport organisation, coaching and facilities at the UFS.


Prof. AH Strydom

 For his pioneering role, as Distinguished Professor, in establishing and developing higher education studies and research, as well as his tireless enthusiasm for the constructive transformation of higher education and the empowerment of women and black persons.


Prof. AA Stulting

 For his central role and initiatives in teaching, research and community engagement in Ophthalmology, including the establishment of the eye clinic.
Prof. C Swanepoel For his large contribution to the development of the Department of Music, musicology and church music, the national profile of the University choir, as well as the Free State Symphony Orchestra.


Mr. IN Tau

 For his outstanding contribution to the establishment of a culture of service and the improvement of the quality of the library.


Mr. WA Theron

 For his dynamic role in mobilising alumni across the country, but particularly in the Gauteng area, whereby the Kovsie Alumni Trust was also developed strongly.


Mr. D Uys

 For his role, as a member of the core team that established the modern administration of the UFS from the 1960s, in establishing the human resource function and division.


Prof. JG van As

 For his outstanding initiatives, research record and contribution to academic excellence in parasitology at the UFS, obtaining contract research funds and exceptional national and international publicity for the UFS.


Prof. HP van Coller

 For his exceptional research record and contribution, as Distinguished Professor with an extensive international network, to the fields of Afrikaans and Theory of Literature at the UFS.


Prof. DJ van den Berg

 For his excellent research and contribution to academic excellence in History of Art, as well as his sustained high-quality contribution to the UFS’s academic publication service and journals.


Mr. A van der Bijl

 For his outstanding role, as a member of the core team that established the modern administration of the UFS from the 1960s, in establishing the finance function, and later the expert development of sophisticated financial management and budgeting systems.


Mr. CHP van der Post

 For his valuable contribution, as Council member, to the development of fund-raising at the UFS.
Mr. JH van Deventer For his exceptional role, as Council member and editor of Volksblad, in initiating and establishing the Matriculant of the Year competition, an important asset in the UFS’s marketing actions.


Prof. HC Janse van Rensburg

 For his contribution to academic excellence, solution oriented research as well as academic entrepreneurship by establishing and developing the Centre for Health Systems Research and Development into an internationally recognised research centre.


Prof. HD van Schalkwyk

 For his academic entrepreneurship in developing the Department of Agricultural Economics into a widely recognised centre of excellence, high-quality contract research and financial self-support.


Prof. JH van Schalkwyk

 For his widely recognised expert contribution, over a period of more than 25 years, to the establishment and development of Law of Succession and Estate Law at the UFS, as well as the management and development of the Department of Private Law.
Prof. MCE van Schoor For his outstanding support and role, as chair of the Library Committee, in planning and modernising the UFS’s library facilities and services, as well as his national profile as esteemed historian.


Prof. CB van Wyk

 For his large contribution, over a long period, as academic and later Dean, to the development of the capacity and quality of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.


Prof. GN van Wyk

 For his leadership and thoroughness, as Dean, in developing  academic excellence in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and his renewing management in forming and establishing the new Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.


Prof. H van Zyl

 For her outstanding role as a member of the turn-around team which turned the financial position of the UFS around and created a sustainable basis for academic growth, as well as her pioneering role as a woman a senior management position at the School of Management.


Prof. D Vermaak

 For his pioneering work in transformation through his initiatives, during the apartheid era, to empower education officials, teachers and postgraduate students from disadvantaged communities in South Africa.


Prof. T Verschoor

 For his pioneering role in managing diversity at student level, and the courage with which he, as Dean of Students and a member of the transformation team, helped change the UFS from a mainly mono cultural campus to a leader in transformation.


Prof. JJP Verster

 For his contribution to academic excellence and initiatives regarding research, the establishment of the journal Acta Structilia, the Centre for Construction Entrepreneurs and distance teaching in professional degrees.
Mr. H Verster For his role as leader in the significant development and professionalisation of the public relations and fund-raising functions at the UFS, as well as his role as joint founder of Kovsie Alumni Trust.


Prof. DA Viljoen

 For his strategic role as a member of the turn-around team which turned the financial position of the UFS around and created a sustainable basis for academic growth, as well as his key role in establishing management training and a School of Management at the UFS.



Prof. MJ Viljoen

 For her pioneering work as a team member in the establishment of the MUCPP, as well as her leadership and contribution, as  a woman in a senior management position, to academic innovation in Nursing and community health at the UFS and in South Africa.


Prof. PE Viljoen

 For his long and sustained  contribution to the development of the Department of Physics from a position of vulnerability to a strong centre of expertise and research in surface physics.


Prof. RA Viljoen

 For his dedicated service and leadership as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the key role that he, as Deans’ representative, played in respect of strategic matters as well as rationalisation processes at the UFS.
Prof. KUT von Delft For his research and outstanding contribution to academic excellence in the field of German at the UFS, as well as his contribution to academic management, quality and integrity at the UFS.
Prof. DJV Weich For his strong role and national profile in establishing and developing Internal Medicine as a discipline at the UFS.


Prof. SJ Wessels

 For his key contribution, during the vulnerable establishment phase of the MUCPP, whereby he made ideas become sustainable realities through dedicated and patient community liaison work.


Prof. PI Wilke

 For his positive leadership and effective management as Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, creating space for departments to grow, as well as his many Africa initiatives.
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
15 October 2004

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