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10 September 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Sonia Small (Kaleidoscope Studios)
Dr Molapo Qhobela, the newly appointed Vice-Rector: Institutional Change, Strategic Partnerships and Societal Impact, will be speaking at the International Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa 2021.

Dr Molapo Qhobela, the newly appointed Vice-Rector: Institutional Change, Strategic Partnerships and Societal Impact at the University of the Free State (UFS), will be speaking at the three-day International Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa 2021. The summit will take place as follows:

Date: 13-15 September 2021 
Platform: A virtual gathering (register for the upcoming virtual summit)

Together with a wide array of thought leaders, including specialists, senior researchers, CEOs/directors, and the top structures of international organisations, he will address and engage with an audience of academics, practitioners, government authorities, representatives from civil society, and donors and sponsors from across the globe on the topic Partnerships for impact in Africa (session on 15 September from 12:30 to 14:00).

According to the host of the event, the University of Cape Town, the key aim of the International Summit on the SDGs in Africa is to mobilise collaborative efforts that will accelerate African-led activities in support of achieving the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a shared blueprint for working towards global peace and prosperity by 2030. The summit is also designed to identify concrete opportunities for research collaboration that will accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and Agenda 2063.

The talks, panel discussions, workshops, and breakout sessions will revolve around clear steps for implementation.

For more information, visit: http://www.sdgsafricasummit.uct.ac.za/

Background of Dr Molapo Qhobela

Dr Qhobela’s leadership and strategic direction have been sought by several large and complex organisations during his career. He is the immediate former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Research Foundation, and also the former Chair of the Global Research Council as well as the Agricultural Research Council. He is currently the Chairperson of the Tertiary Education and Research Network of South Africa. Dr Qhobela holds a PhD in Plant Pathology from the Kansas State University in the United States of America.

News Archive

History book available from UFS Marketing
2007-02-01

The university’s history book, "From Grey to Gold", is available from UFS Marketing.

The book will soon be delivered to persons who have ordered copies of the book. UFS Marketing is in the process of distributing the books.

However, persons are also welcome to collect the book from Rinda Duraan or Ronél Meyer at the offices of UFS Marketing in the Wekkie Saayman Building.  

Additional copies in Afrikaans or English are also available from UFS Marketing at R380 per copy. Please contact Ronél Meyer at X2150 or Rinda Duraan at X2143 for inquiries.

A proud 100 years

The history of the University of the Free State is one of faith, hope, struggle and determination. In the course of a century, and from a poor Free State community, the UFS has developed into a strong and mature university. This book, richly illustrated with photographs, tells its fascinating story, including:

  • Its establishment
  • The role of the founding fathers
  • Black pioneers of transformation
  • The establishment and development of academic departments and faculties; student numbers
  • Pioneers and trends in research; academic entrepreneurs
  • Campus issues; campus politics
  • The UFS’s place in socio-political changes
  • Student life: Rag, intervarsity and cheerleaders; sport and Springboks; hostel traditions
  • The admission of black students; anguish about race, language and culture
  • The story of “digs” and hostels, of Tin Town and the “Vlei”, Darkest Africa and the Red Square
  • The development of the campus, of the Tickey and the Banana
  • Of hardships in the founding years, good times and turn-around strategies
  • Community service and regional involvement and a new focus on the African continent.

Some interesting reading:

  • More than 500 pages
  • Hundreds of photographs
  • Appendices on office-bearers; awards and achievements (including national sporting colours)
  • A time-line situating the UFS’s history in the context of the history of the Free State, of South Africa and of the world

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