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Prof Francis Petersen re-appointed as UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor

21 June 2021 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Kaleidoscope Studios (Sonia Small)

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) unanimously approved the re-appointment of Prof Francis Petersen for a second five-year term as Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, as from 31 March 2022 to 1 April 2027. The decision was made during Council’s second scheduled meeting for the year, which took place virtually on 18 June 2021.

Council appreciation for exceptional leadership
“Prof Petersen’s first term was characterised by exceptional leadership and the Council has significant appreciation for the work that he has done and his accomplishments to date. Since his appointment on 1 April 2017 and under his leadership, the UFS has excelled in a number of key areas,” said Dr Willem Louw, Chairperson of the UFS Council.

Excellence, inclusivity, innovation, academic freedom, a particular focus and emphasis on critical enquiry, social responsiveness, integrity, and humaneness have been the value trademarks by which Prof Petersen operates. Early in his term – through a well-structured, thought-through, and consultative approach – he produced the strategic framework for the UFS for the period 2018 to 2022, the key performance areas of which have been implemented in most cases or are nearing completion.

“Prof Petersen has put forward a compelling set of drivers for his second term and indicated that he specifically intends to focus on and elevate the teaching and learning, research and internationalisation, and engaged scholarship portfolios of the university. On behalf of the Council, I wish him all the best with the second term and look forward with great expectation to what he and his executive team will achieve to further advance the UFS nationally and internationally,” said Dr Louw.

“I am humbled and honoured by the expression of confidence in me; it is a privilege to continue leading one of the greatest universities in the country on its new journey. I will continue to do my utmost to build a strong institution that belongs to everyone, and want to thank our staff, students, and valued stakeholders for their continued support,” said Prof Petersen.

Achievements during first term
The UFS’ achievements during Prof Petersen’s first term include the implementation of an Integrated Transformation Plan (ITP) (towards social justice); the UFS Strategic Plan (towards expanding the scope of transformation); the Vice-Chancellor Strategic Projects (towards a high-performance institution); the institutional Risk Management Committee (towards risk management and risk philosophy); and the institutional Multi-Stakeholder Group (towards an inclusive institutional culture).

Further highlights include the development of differentiated research, internationalisation, and innovation strategies for the UFS; the development of Project Caring in the domain of the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice; facilitating an institutional governance project; development of a strategy and plans for a Digital Scholarship Centre; the development of proactive relationships with the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS); and the establishment of a Reputation Management Forum to assist in improving the reputation and profile of the UFS.

Vision for the second term
Prof Petersen’s vision for his second term includes the continuation of the ITP, with a primary focus on the social justice imperative and ensuring the completion of all the deliverables; using the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as basis of the response as to how the UFS will affect society positively; using digitisation as key focus in determining how the academic project will be delivered, supported and how it is interfacing with the external environment; raising the external profile of the UFS through alumni, foundations, donors, and strategic communication as critical drivers; and to continue participating and further advancing national and global discourses.

News Archive

UFS produces an inspirational Summer Graduation

2016-12-12

Dr Ferial Haffajee, editor-at-large at The Huffington
Post SA, who was conferred with an honorary doctorate,
and Dr Khotso Mokhele, the Chancellor of the
University of the Free State at this year’s Summer Graduation.
Photo: Eugene Seegers

“A graduation ceremony epitomises every student’s academic dream and pursuit, and allows you to look back as you enter the professional career of your choice.”

These were the words of guest speaker Dr Mafu Rakometsi, Chief Executive Officer of Umalusi, that resonated through the Callie Human Centre at this year’s Summer Graduation on the Bloemfontein Campus. He mentioned that today graduates would look back at a journey that started with hesitant steps, and despite all their ups and downs, they had managed to make it this far.

During the afternoon session, Prof Lis Lange, Vice-Rector: Academic, at the University of the Free State (UFS), said that graduations were always an occasion for celebration and this year, there were two reasons for these celebrations.

“The first is simply that we made it through a difficult 2016 and the secondly because we are celebrating two crucial professions that will attribute to the well-being of this country, namely teachers and health practitioners.”

Meaningful graduation ceremony for Ferial Haffajee

This year, the UFS had the privilege and honour to confer editor-at-large at The Huffington Post SA, Ferial Haffajee, with an honorary doctorate in the Faculty of the Humanities.

Speaking after the graduation ceremony, Dr Haffajee said, “It was really, really meaningful for me, because I’ve never been able to graduate. When I finished university, it was during the struggle against apartheid, so we didn’t graduate. It was a wonderful day and wonderful to see the role that young people are playing on this campus.”

“Dr Ferial Haffajee has made a significant contribution to press freedom in South Africa. She is known both nationally and internationally for the work she has done and therefore it is an honour to welcome her as a Kovsie. She is one of the people who represent the values of the UFS. We are proud of her and we wish her great success,” said Prof Milagros Rivera, Head: Department of Communication Science and acting Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities at the UFS.

Photo: Johann Roux

Inspiration drawn from graduation ceremonies

During his address, Dr Khotso Mokhele, the Chancellor of the UFS, made special mention of many that inspired him at the graduation ceremonies.

His inspirations included Dr Ambrotius Swartbooi, who suffered a spinal injury from a near-fatal car accident which left him paralysed and a quadriplegic, yet who still managed to receive his doctorate; Setsoane Ntseki, a matriculant with poise and an incredible voice, who delivered the song item; Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the Council at the UFS and a close friend of Dr Mokhele, with whom he worked for many years; as well Dr Haffajee, a trail-blazer that many look up to.

Damian Viviers was recognised as one of the youngest PhD graduates in the Faculty of Law, where he received a PhD in Mercantile Law. He is a research fellow in the Department of Mercantile Law, and was recently appointed as candidate attorney in the commercial department at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys.

In closing, his message to the class of 2016 was simple, that even though the world and our country may find itself in an odd space now, the graduates needed to remember that even though they would become leaders, there was always something bigger than themselves.

“Go out there and do us proud. Come back and plough back into this institution not only with your money, but your skills and time too.”

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