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30 March 2021 | Story Prof Francis Petersen | Photo Sonia Small (Kaleidoscope Studios)
Prof Francis Petersen.

Systems, processes, and policies are not exactly things that grab the headlines or are popular topics for dinner conversations. But they become vital in times of crisis. 
And if there is one thing that we have learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that no amount of time, effort or resources should be spared to get them in place before disaster strikes, says Prof Francis Petersen.

During my own education and training in the field of engineering, I was constantly reminded of the value of systems: a set of components working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network; a complex whole. In subsequent years, I also realised time and time again how system principles can be applied equally successfully in management. In any organisation, systems ensure unified and stable operation. And in times of crisis, they prevent hysteria, uncertainty, and unnecessary waste of time.

Lessons learned in reaction to the pandemic

At the University of the Free State (UFS), we quickly learned the value of acting proactively when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as getting sustainable systems in place that operated in unity. Amid all the uncertainty and change, we found that it was vital not to re-act in a knee-jerk manner and steered away from implementing random measures that did not consider the entire institution, its history (how it grew and developed up to this point in time), and its future (the altered, post-COVID-19 landscape).

Early reaction and a sustained focus on the period after the pandemic, characterised our response action. A UFS COVID-19 Task Team was already formed at the end of February 2020, as news of the first infections trickled in from Wuhan, China.

When the first South African COVID-19 infection was reported on 5 March 2020, a Special Executive Group moved into action. It had several focus areas: Teaching and Learning, Staff, Operations, Re-integration of Staff and Students on Campus, Finance, Risk and Legal, COVID-19 Science, and Future Thinking. We immediately began the migration to remote teaching and learning, which involved the training of staff, getting the material online, briefing students, procuring laptops, and zero rating the learning portals.

In mid-March 2020, staff who were able to, were asked to work from home. Events were postponed, staff and students were trained to work in a remote setting, and a moratorium was placed on international travel – even before a national lockdown was put in place by government.

In retrospect, this timely, holistic, systematic approach proved to be invaluable.

Learning from a global system

The pandemic also reinforced the lesson that no country is an island. We should learn from others, not repeat their mistakes, and not ignore their successes.

A successful system never operates in isolation, but is affected by, and has an influence on the systems around it.

As we are entering the vaccine phase of the pandemic, it is more vital than ever to maintain a ‘systems’ approach.  Now is not the time for shortcuts, untested remedies, and vague claims of efficiency. Now is the time for systematic implementation of tried and tested processes, developed over time and underscored by good science.

Our part in the vaccine production system

At the UFS, we are privileged to play a role on two important fronts: 

The South African National Control Laboratory for Biological Products (NCLBP) located on our Bloemfontein Campus, is performing the all-important task of vaccine-lot release. As the sole provider of this service in the country and one of only twelve World Health Organisation (WHO)-contracted laboratories worldwide for vaccine quality-control testing, it forms part of a carefully crafted regulatory system, which has been established, fine-tuned, and tested over many years to serve the interests of the global community.

Vaccines are biological medicines and some of the most complex pharmaceuticals available today. It is vital that their regulation be governed by scientific and not commercial or political principles. It is a role that should under no circumstances simply be given to the ‘lowest bidder’ or the one who promises ‘speedy delivery’.

The NCLBP did not get to play this regulatory role overnight. It was already established in 1997 after an extremely stringent audit by the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) and subsequent recommendations by the WHO.

This means that all its operations – from the way documents are compiled and stored, to the maintenance of equipment and infrastructure, as well as staff competency – are performed according to strict international guidelines and are continuously and closely monitored.

It forms part of an involved system with checks and balances in place to ensure that no mistakes are made. 

Similarly, FARMOVS – a wholly owned clinical research company of the UFS, together with several medical and scientific experts at the university –  has submitted a clinical trial protocol for approval to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to determine the efficacy of Ivermectin for COVID-19.
FARMOVS was systematically prepared and shaped for this role, having been involved in countless pharmaceutical trials, proving its own efficacy consistently over a protracted period.
Not only is it the only onsite ISO- (International Organisation for Standardisation) and GLP- (Good Laboratory Practice) certified bioanalytical laboratory on the African continent – it has continuously proven itself to adhere to the most rigorous international requirements over the past 47 years.   

It is extremely satisfying – and reassuring – to see how institutions like these two, rooted in sound science, and having proven their consistency, efficiency, and accuracy over many years, are now stepping up to the plate and performing the all-important functions for which they were painstakingly and systematically designed. 

‘Vaccine nationalism’

This pandemic has shown that, through the interconnectedness of our world, one country or region has an impact (in this particular case a health-impact) on other countries and regions. In this context, it is up to rich countries to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for poorer countries, and that the WHO proposal to request pharmaceutical companies to waive their intellectual property rights in this regard, should be supported. 

‘Good science’ more important than ever

Another thing the pandemic has highlighted, is the importance of good, sound science amid all the hype, speculation, and false news that unfortunately also characterise the COVID-19 era. 

The co-incidental meteoric rise in the popularity of social media has fuelled the fire of unverified and unscientific claims that are so often just lapped up by information consumers in the public sphere. Unfortunately, since we have entered the vaccine phase, this has become increasingly rife. 

Here, the role of universities as education and research facilities is becoming more important than ever. Not only do we need to provide and communicate the ‘good science’ that everyone craves. But instead of simply advising from the side-line, we should also be playing a vital practical role, actively applying our knowledge, resources, and expertise within the broader society we serve, as has been aptly demonstrated in our important role of vaccine regulating.

Role of universities in the post-pandemic era

Without a doubt, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of online learning, the huge need that exists to be properly equipped for this and has given us a powerful shove in a direction we were already advancing to.

But it has also shown us that, in the midst of increasing digitisation, our need for social and physical interaction remains. The isolation brought about by COVID-19 has taught us that we cannot only function as a digital society. This will probably lead to higher-education institutions presenting a blended mode of learning and teaching in the future; a combination of online learning and face-to-face interactions, ensuring that students still get to experience campus life and the valuable interactions that go with it. 

The pandemic has also helped to crystalise the way in which we as ‘generators of knowledge’ should interact with society. The recent rhetoric of anti-scientific world leaders has caused communities to become distrustful of universities and science. 

We need to actively work on building trust within communities again. And we can only do this by working closely with other sectors of society, gauging real needs, and working together as parts of a bigger system in order to find real, practical solutions that can be seen by everyone to make a positive change in different spheres of society. 

Every organisation, business, government, and institution benefit from having both visionaries and pragmatists.  The visionaries help us to imagine a future we want to live in. The pragmatists work out practical, doable, and sustainable steps to get there. 

Sometimes it becomes necessary for the activists and orators to step aside and create space for the scientists and administrators to systematically get on with what needs to be done.
While we are all eager to move beyond this period in our collective history, back to a world that resembles more of the ‘old normal’ we long for, we should not make hasty, ill-considered moves and take shortcuts to get there.

We should also see this period as our opportunity to push our boundaries, embrace the ‘new normal’, and be innovative in our thinking on how to stay there. 


(Prof Francis Petersen is a registered professional engineer and has served on the executive managements of higher-education institutions, science councils, and industry organisations.)

News Archive

Qwaqwa Campus opens: Prof. PA Mbati's speech
2005-01-22

Official welcome speech by Prof. PA Mbati for 2005 first year students held on Saturday 22nd January 2005. Program Director, The Chief Director Operations Rev. Kiepi Jaftha, Dean of Students Dr. Natie Luyt, Program Head of the Faculty of Humanities, Dr. Elias Malete, Program Head of Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof. Riaan Luyt, Acting Program Head of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences Prof. Andries Venter, Deputy Director Student Affairs Mr. Teboho Manchu, Coordinator Finance: Mrs. Elizabeth Nchapi, Senior Librarian Mr. Stoffel Kok, Senior Magistrate Mr Saul Mohosho, SRC President Mr. Tello Motloung, members of staff, invited guests, parents, guardians, my dear students, ladies and gentlemen.

It is indeed my pleasure to welcome you to the official welcoming ceremony of the UFS-Qwaqwa Campus 2005 first year students. Our Rector and Vice Chancellor Professor Frederick has requested me to pass to you his warmest wishes and regards on this special occasion. I am confident that the orientation exercise in which you have participated has achieved the desired effect of introducing you to your new way of life here on campus, and that you are now sufficiently prepared to get on with the rigors of being a student at this University.

Following the restructuring of the higher education landscape, the Qwaqwa campus was incorporated into the University of the Free State with effect from January 1 2003 . As a consequence, Management was faced with a whole complex series of challenges including, primarily making the campus financially viable, but also ensuring that it remains relevant in it’s core business as a satellite campus of the University of the Free State in terms of its teaching, learning, research and community service responsibilities.

A whole series of strategic planning workshops were conducted last year with both internal and external stakeholders. Various important strategic objectives were flagged out, and the next level of consultation will take place soon. I know that there is a lot of eagerness, sometimes to the level of impatience to see this process completed as quickly as possible. But again on the other hand, due to the far reaching consequences of any hasty decisions, plus the need for a carefully planned process, we need to be a little more patient before the implementation of the strategic objectives is implemented. You will be kept informed as this important and critical aspect in the evolution of our campus takes place.

As a response to the need for a more effective governance model on the Qwaqwa campus, a review of the governance structure was completed towards the end of 2004 and will soon serve before the Executive of the Executive Management for approval.

Due to the importance that top management attaches to the development of an effective governance on the Qwaqwa campus, the process was facilitated by an internationally acclaimed consultant. Again the contents of the revised governance model will be made known to the campus and the broader community once it is approved.

I am glad to report that in recognition of the need to improve the infrastructure on campus to provide a conducive learning atmosphere to our students, a total of 8.2 million rands was made available towards the end of 2004 for recapitalization of specifically our student residences and lecture venues. The first phase of the residence renovation is completed and residences C, D and E have now been officially handed over to the University by the Contractor. Among the features of the renovated residences is that they will now computer rooms, kitchenettes for cooking, and a redesigned TV room. The rooms have even been fitted with heaters. Our challenge will now be to maintain our newly acquired facilities and to ensure that they do not again deteriorate to an un-acceptable level. The second phase of renovation will start soon.

As indicated in my address during the orientation week, our obligation to you as a campus is to offer you quality training to the best of our ability, and to disseminate this knowledge to you within a conducive atmosphere worthy of good learning. On the other hand, our students have to take advantage of this opportunity to acquire the necessary skills and training in the various academic programs that we offer on campus.

We have a very simple agenda on this campus – our vision is to continuously strive to build and develop the Qwaqwa campus of University of the Free State into a truly quality institution of higher learning in our country. To develop a tradition and culture in which we are proud of who we are, and constantly and tirelessly working towards excellence in our academic programs, and other non-academic but core and important aspects in your growth and development such as sport and community service. To nurture young conscientious citizens who are aware of their duties and responsibilities. Ultimately to produce hard working young people who fully exploit their potentials, and who will serve this country with diligence when unleashed into the real world in effectively managing their roles and responsibilities in society, whether in private or government civil service.

I would like to encourage that the various stake holders of this campus, the students, academic, administrative and support staff, and our broader community, to work together in harmony for the well being of our campus. For this campus to continue to be relevant in the environment that we find ourselves, there is a need for continuous engagement of its various stake holders, and genuinely listening to each other. We must continuously and regularly keep our feelers on alert in order that we can remain relevant.

I am particularly inviting our parents and guardians, the alumni of this campus, and leaders from our community to join hands with us in seeking solutions to the various challenges that we continue to face on campus. I am open for frank and honest discourse on the best way forward for our campus.

The University of the Free State is committed in making tertiary education accessible to as many students as possible. In this regard, students who do not have the required ‘M’ score to gain entry into main stream classes are given an opportunity to study in the highly successful ‘bridging program’ in which learners are integrated with main stream students but with fewer courses to tackle in order to ensure success. This is done on the premise that such students have the potential to pursue a degree course, and that therefore within a well structured program, they can make a success of their lives.

The University is conscious of the fact that in many instances several academically deserving students fail to be admitted into university due to financial reasons. For students who are academically deserving but who because of reasons of poverty cannot pay the requisite fees, the university is able to assist such students through the National Financial Aid Scheme – commonly known as NSFAS, and University Merit Awards. Other incentives such as Sports bursaries are also available.

Please remember that it is important to balance your life on campus and the phrase ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’ aptly describes this statement. Ensure that you participate in sport and cultural activities of this campus so that you can develop and strengthen the various God-given talents that you have been blessed with.

A second major ingredient for your success on campus is discipline and respect for rules, policies and procedures that govern the University of the Free State , and respect for your fellow students. Good discipline is a major contributory factor to success in life, and more so in your formative academic life at University. This means for example that you must attend all your lectures, complete your assignments on-time and visit the library frequently. Please manage your time wisely and responsibly. Remember that as a university student, you are basically the master and architect of your own destiny.

Think very carefully when you are confronted with difficult situations, be they negative peer pressure, or temptations to indulge in intoxicating drugs, and make the right choice.

The University has well trained personnel including a social worker, a psychologist and counselor, and members of the student affairs division under the leadership of Mr. Teboho Manchu, Deputy Director Student Affairs, who are available to assist whenever you require their help.

Today is also a special day because we have officially inaugurated the SRC President and the rest of the SRC leadership. I am sure that you all join me in congratulating the SRC for being elected to their leadership roles for 2005. Mr. SRC president and your team, please remember that you now have a huge responsibility in carrying out the aspirations of the student body on campus. I want to wish you luck and success as you champion the rights of your constituents, which I believe and trust will be compatible with management’s expectations with regard to quality teaching and learning on campus. As you are aware, Management values the input that the student leadership makes in the operational management of the affairs of this campus, and we look forward to a cordial, non-confrontational working relationship with a view of rendering un-paralleled service on campus.

Mr. Program Director, allow me to wish everyone here a successful and prosperous year. May the good Lord give us the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle that may be placed in our way in the course of our work in 2005.

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