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UFS launches R8 million US Embassy and Consulates-funded research project

18 November 2020 | Story Thabo Kessah | Photo Thabo Kessah

Prof Pearl Sithole_web read more — Prof Pearl Sithole acknowledged the role played by the Afromontane Research Unit in securing mountain-to-mountain research funding from the US Embassy and Consulates in SA.

“This launch is an opportunity to reflect on the strategic significance of the partnership between our two universities and the long-standing relationship that academics at the two institutions have enjoyed.”

These were the words of appreciation from the University of the Free State Vice-Rector: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Prof Corli Witthuhn, during the virtual launch of the Mountain-to-Mountain collaboration project between the University of the Free State and the Appalachian State University in the United States held on 10 November 2020. The R8 million project is funded by the US Embassy and Consulates in South Africa and will run over two academic years.

Prof Witthuhn also stated that the project would further strengthen the UFS strategy for internationalisation. “This collaboration has grown organically in the last decade to become one of the UFS flagships in international collaborations. With the support of this grant from the US Embassy and Consulates in South Africa, this long-standing and sustainable collaboration will be further strengthened,” she added.

New master’s programmes

In providing context to the Qwaqwa Campus’ research footprint, Campus Vice-Principal: Academic and Research, Prof Pearl Sithole, acknowledged the role played by the Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) under the leadership of its Director, Dr Ralph Clark, as well as all the faculties.

“In the Humanities, a lot is coming regarding the socio-ecosystems of the mountains. And in Education and Economic and Management Sciences, the scholarship of teaching and learning is promoted through blended skills, especially during this time of the pandemic. In the Natural and Agricultural Sciences, climate monitoring is one of the projects that has brought vibrancy to our campus,” she said.

Appalachian State University’s Associate Vice-Chancellor for International Education and Development, Prof Jesse Lutabingwa, mentioned that the collaboration would, among others, develop and offer a multi-disciplinary master’s degree in Mountain Studies on the Qwaqwa Campus, which will initially enrol seven to ten students. “In the subsequent years, we plan to increase this number to 15-20 students. We will also develop and offer a Community Development master’s degree with 10-12 students and up to 25 in subsequent years.”

Black women academics

Prof Lutabingwa, who is also the Project Director, revealed that doctoral students who are currently part of the University Staff Doctoral Project (USDP), will conduct at least three research projects focusing on social entrepreneurship, substance abuse, and rural transport monitoring in the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains. “Also key to this collaboration is the leadership mentorship programme for black women academics who will at the end of the project produce three to five research papers,” Prof Lutabingwa added.

News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus welcomes new Head

2013-04-17

Prof Prakash Naidoo
Photo:Thabo Kessah
17 April 2013

Welcoming video

The Qwaqwa Campus welcomed its new Head in the person of Prof Prakash Naidoo. Prof Naidoo, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Finance (Resources and Planning) at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), received a very warm welcome from the staff, students and the Eastern Free State community.

In response to his welcoming, Prof Naidoo thanked among others, his predecessor, Dr Elias Malete, for his leadership of the campus, as well as the Head: Operations, Teboho Manchu and the Head: Academic, Dr Elsa Crause, for their support during his first few days on campus.

“I am elated to be joining an institution that is serious about transformation. There is still a lot of work ahead to make this campus the best,” said Prof Naidoo.

“Positive vibrancy exists here and all of us must begin to think about how we can multiply the effect to make it even better.”

“This year the campus is celebrating its tenth year in existence as part of the University of the Free State and we have accomplished much in this time. However, there is still a lot to accomplish in the next 10 years. We need progressive change. Let us all look ahead, but let us never forget the past.”

“Today’s students live with greater complexities, like watching too much TV and reading less. They need more counselling and guidance. In my book, students come first. Academic business comes first.”

Prof Naidoo expressed his optimism in working with all internal and external stakeholders.

“I am a team player and we must all develop a working plan for this campus,” Prof Naidoo said.

The welcoming was attended by members of the Council and the Rectorate.

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