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UFS amends the retirement age for all staff members to 65

10 December 2021 | Story Lacea Loader

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) approved the retirement age of all staff members to 65 this week.

“The current retirement age for staff members of the UFS is 65 years for those appointed prior to 1 June 1998, and 60 years for those appointed after 1 June 1998. The Council’s decision to amend the retirement age to 65 comes after an extensive benchmarking process involving the university’s two labour unions, NEHAWU and UVPERSU, which requested that the retirement age of all staff members be adjusted to 65,” said Prof Francis Petesen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

This amendment brings the university in line with other universities and will assist in overcoming a negative impact on the recruitment and attraction of high-calibre academic and specialist staff.

Parallel to the amendment of the retirement age in the Conditions of Services, the university is also adapting the allocation of vacation leave. “We are currently facing a challenge in terms of the provision of the staff leave liability, which has a major financial implication for the UFS. In consultation with stakeholder unions the accumulation of vacation leave has been adjusted to a maximum of five days per year,” said Prof Petersen.

The new retirement age to 65 and the adjusted accumulated vacation leave days will be affected from 1 January 2022. Staff who are set to retire on 31 December 2021 may opt to continue to the age 65. This amendment will not apply to staff that may have already retired.

Adjusted vacation as from 1 January 2022:

Academic staff:

Current number of vacation days: 42

Approved Leave Days

Number of vacation days: 30

Additional research leave days: 12 (non-cumulative and expires at the end of each calendar year)

Support staff:

Deputy Director and higher levels

Peromnes Level: 1 – 6

Current number of leave vacation days: 36

Approved number of vacation days: 30

Assistant Director to Officer

Peromnes Level: 7 – 14

Current number of leave vacation days: 30 - 28

Approved number of vacation days: 28

Service Workers

Peromnes Level: 15 - 18

Current number of leave vacation days: 24

Approved number of vacation days: 24

News Archive

2016: The year that was on the Qwaqwa Campus

2016-12-19

Dr Lehlohonolo Koao believes his research
will improve ordinary lives.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

Prof Lis Lange making a point about
the governance, leadership, and
management processes at the university.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

One of the leading performers of
I-DENT-I-TIES, Baanetse Mokhotla.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

The year 2016 has seen the Qwaqwa Campus become a hive of activity from all fronts.

Lithium-ion batteries research

On the research front, Dr Lehlohonolo Koao started work on the research that is aimed at improving lives of ordinary people. His research project focuses on improving the efficiency of lithium-ion batteries that are now commonly used in portable electronics, such as cellphones and laptops.

“This study will enhance power retention in the batteries for improved daily life since cellphones, solar panels, and laptops, to mention only a few, are now a way of life.’’

Dr Koao is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics, where he specialises in solid state materials. He is also a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestige Scholars Programme.

Spotlight on the academic project

To create a conducive teaching and learning environment on the campus amid the academic difficulties experienced during the year, the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice (IRSJ) hosted a critical conversation that was facilitated by Vice-Rector: Academic, Prof Lis Lange.

Prof Lange interacted with students who asked her very difficult, but critical questions relating to internal UFS processes aimed at academic excellence. Issues that were discussed included developing a common understanding on governance, leadership, and management processes at the university.

Student talent unearthed

This was a year during which massive student talent was unearthed by an unusual stage play called I-DENT-I-TIES. This large-scale interdisciplinary performance project afforded Qwaqwa students an unforgettable experience. This was according to Baanetse Mokhotla, one of the leading performers.

“I have personally learnt a lot about performing arts and also grew as an individual.”

The creative minds behind the play included New York-based Dutch director, Erwin Maas; Vienna-based Dutch theatre designer, Nico de Rooij; Djana Covic, a Serbian performance-craft-artist based in Vienna; and South African film and stage legend Jerry Mofokeng. The production was part of this year’s Vrystaat Arts Festival in Bloemfontein.

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