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UFS urges COP26 to make bold decisions on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

31 October 2021 | Story Prof Francis Petersen

The University of the Free State (UFS) calls on all higher education institutions, business, the private and public sector, and the South African community to confirm their commitment towards climate change and to contribute to climate change interventions.

“The UFS is committed to contributing meaningfully through research, innovation, policy advice, activism, and the operational management of the university to a fairer, cleaner, and healthier world, and urges world leaders to make bold decisions on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the upcoming Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) meeting in Glasgow,” says Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

The UFS supports the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in particular Goal 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impact and is committed to underpinning it in the institution’s strategy and operations.

According to Prof Petersen, the university is developing a response to positively impact society and is using the SDGs as basis for this response. “This will incorporate our operations in terms of green and sustainable campuses, as well as the Academic Project in terms of quality research, engaged scholarship, and strategic partnerships with government, communities, and different sectors of the economy. A response to the SDGs is a significant step towards our commitment to play a role in climate change,” says Prof Petersen.

News Archive

UFS lecturer serves on National Forensic Oversight and Ethics Board

2015-02-13

Dr Karin Ehlers

Dr Karin Ehlers, lecturer in the Department of Genetics at the University of the Free State, was elected by the Minister of Police, Mr Nkosinathi Nhleko, to serve on the National Forensic Oversight and Ethics Board which will, among others, monitor the implementation of the provisions of the DNA Act.

Previously, when DNA evidence was collected at a crime scene, it was analysed only when requested by the prosecutor or investigator when they had found a suspect and needed confirmation. With the new DNA Act, all samples collected from violent crimes must be analysed. The profiles will be compared with a convicted offender database to see if some of the unsolved cases can be linked to these perpetrators. The reason for this is that many of these offenders are repeat offenders, and this process will increase the chances of solving cases successfully.

Serving on the Board, Dr Ehlers will also have the opportunity to contribute to proposals on:
- the improvement of practices regarding the overall operations of the National Forensic DNA Database (NFDD),
- the ethical, legal, and social implications of the use of forensic DNA profiles, and
- the training and the development of criteria for the use of familial searches.

Board members will also receive and assess complaints about alleged violations relating to the abuse of DNA samples and forensic DNA profiles and/or security breaches, and will report to complainants in respect thereof.

In 2014, when all citizens in South Africa were invited to apply for a position on the National Forensic Oversight and Ethics Board, Dr Ehlers submitted her application with a motivation on how she could contribute to the function of the Board. She is one of ten persons who were appointed to serve on the Board. “The reason I was successful was due to my involvement in the development of the UFS Forensic Sciences Programme,” Dr Ehlers said.

The capacity of the country was one of the challenges that had to be overcome for this Act to take effect. ”The UFS was able to address this problem, implementing degrees in Forensic Genetics and Forensic Sciences. With these programmes we made a real difference in the fight against crime. It is a real privilege to form part of this project,” said Dr Ehlers.

Dr Karin Ehlers serves on National Forensic Oversight and Ethics Board (read the full story)

For more information or enquiries contact news@ufs.ac.za

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