Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

UFS research group celebrates successes and five PhDs

09 September 2021 | Story Rulanzen Martin | Photo Stephen Collett

prof Walker and Baijnath_web read more — Prof Melanie Walker and keynote speaker, Prof Narend Baijnath, who reflected on his own academic path to instil a sense of pride in the newer generation of academics.

The Higher Education and Human Development Research Group is one of the prestige research groups at the University of the Free State (UFS). The group, under the stewardship of Prof Melanie Walker, A1 NRF-rated researcher, brings together researchers, PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows who focus on human development and capability studies in the higher education space.

A colloquium that took place recently (25 August 2021), celebrated the conclusion of research projects such as the Miratho project, and also reflected on the achievements of 2020 and 2021 in challenging COVID-19 times. Most importantly, the group celebrated the five PhD graduates of 2021.

Prof Narend Baijnath, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth of Learning, was the keynote speaker at the celebratory colloquium.

Lessons from Prof Baijnath

Although in the ‘twilight of his career’, Prof Baijnath used his keynote address to share and reflect on his own journey to guide academics and postdoctoral fellows embarking on their new journeys. “Looking back, while I do acknowledge that adversity and struggle may build character and fuel perseverance, it is often the largesse and generosity of others that makes the difference between whether you realise your full potential or not,” Prof Baijnath said. “Local community members pitched in to cover my own university fees and the cost of books when times were tough, and never asked to be repaid,” he remembered.

However, it was also the support his mother gave him, because “she valued education above all else”. “She made sure that my needs were provided for as a priority before attending to other needs of the family,” he said.

Prof Baijnath, through his own circumstances, resonates with young people at universities today, because getting through university is a daily challenge for many of our youth who are desperate to escape poverty and fulfil their dreams. “They bristle with potential, are hardworking and focused, and hungry for success. Even though many more funding opportunities exist today that were non-existent back then, the struggle to escape poverty and disadvantage persists for many,” he said.
Read the full keynote here

PhD students and graduates invaluable

The five PhD graduates are Dr Berth Kibona; Dr Fenella Sommerville, Dr Martino Mazinga; Dr Monique Kwachou Tangah; and Dr Ndakaitei Manase. “It is a mighty achievement to reach this milestone. Only those who have completed the journey or who are currently embarked upon it will fully understand the momentousness of this occasion,” Prof Baijnath said in his remarks.

Of the current group of PhDs, all draw on the capability and human development approach – each with a with different focus: access to higher education in Zambia; alternative post-school pathways in Malawi; student activism and social media in South Africa (SA); climate justice and the role of universities in Malawi, decolonising higher education in SA; and architecture and human development. “Our PhDs are so important in the life of our research group,” Prof Walker emphasised.

Four of the five PhD graduandi. From the left; Dr Monique Kwachou; Dr Martino Mazinga; Dr Bertha Kibona; and
Dr Fenella Somerville. (Picture: Stephen Collett)

Research output contributes to prestige

The event further celebrated the publication of books, such as the Miratho project book due for publication later this year, which examines the opportunities, obstacles, and outcomes for low-income youth and higher education. In addition, there is the forthcoming 2021 book by Dr Carmen Martinez-Vargas on participatory research, and Prof Walker’s 2020 edited book on epistemic justice. This is in addition to a steady stream of peer-reviewed articles in international journals and book chapters.

The awarding of international grants and research opportunities embodies the empirical success of the group. Senior researcher Dr Faith Mkwananzi serves as the chief investigator on a research project with the Open University and Coventry University. Funding for the project is through the British Academy (BA). Another project undertaken by Dr Mkwananzi is the Changing the Story project, which is also funded by the BA. “All this funding will allow very exciting projects to go ahead and further strengthen our contributions to Global South research,” said Prof Walker. The group also welcomed a new research associate from Lancaster University, Dr Melis Cin. Dr Cin is the successful recipient of a large grant for decolonising peace education in Africa.

Overall, research projects undertaken by members exemplify a commitment to rigorous and original South-based research and to social justice through advancing human development and expanding people’s freedoms.

Dr Fenella Somerville and Dr Faith Mkwananzi (PhD Co-Promoter)

The HEHD Research Group with guests at the colloquium.

Dr Monique Kwachou and Dr Carmen Martinez-Vargas (PhD Co-Promoter).

Dr Martino Mazinga and Dr Mikateko Hoppener (PhD Promoter).

Dr Bertha Kibona and Prof Melanie Walker (PhD Promoter)

Prof Phillippe Burger, Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Poverty, Inequality and Economic Development.

Dr Glen Taylor, Senior Director: UFS Research Development.

News Archive

New projects will enhance the infrastructure on our campuses

2011-02-04

Illustration:

The university's Main Gate in Nelson Mandela Avenue, as designed by The Roodt Partnership Architects.

A new entrance to the Main Campus, a high-performance centre, commercial gymnasium, rock-climbing wall, memorial garden for women and a botanical garden are but a few of the number of building and renovation projects that will take place at the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein. A number of projects are also being done on the Qwaqwa Campus.

On the Main Campus the entrance in Nelson Mandela Avenue is being adapted to match the university’s new corporative identity which was introduced last week. This project will be completed at the end of March 2011,

The creation of an environment conducive to the development of its students in the field of teaching, learning and research, as well as sports and culture is one of the main reasons why the UFS is renovating existing buildings and developing new infrastructure.

With the construction of a high-performance centre and commercial gymnasium, the university wants to create a work environment for its staff that will not only contribute to the cultivation of maximum work performance, but also to staff wellness. The centre with its foyer and administrative offices will furthermore consist of a health desk, university sports institute, sports sales, a spinning and aerobic centre, and dressing rooms. The total area will extend over 2114 m² and the construction will take approximately 18 months. This development will take place on the western side of the university’s Main Campus, directly opposite the Furstenburg Gate and next to the new student housing.

The UFS is also progressing well with other building projects which commenced last year. One of the projects is a new Education Building which is being constructed opposite the UFS Sasol Library. Upon completion this building will be used for the training of maths and science teachers in the Foundation Phase. It will include three classrooms for 100 students each and an auditorium for 225 students as well as an office block. The auditorium will also be used as a classroom. The building has been designed according to environmentally friendly principles to save water and use power effectively. It should be completed this year.

Planning for the construction of more student accommodation on the Main Campus as well as the Qwaqwa Campus is already well underway. On the Qwaqwa Campus, a residence with 200 beds is being constructed. This also includes a computer laboratory. According to the planning, this residence should be completed by the end of the first semester in 2011. Furthermore, four residences will be constructed on the Main Campus. These residences are in the planning phase.

In order to place technology within reach of Kovsie students and thereby empowering them, computer laboratories were installed at the respective residences. The computer laboratories will eventually make provision for approximately185 computers for student use. Proper security is also planned to safeguard the equipment.

Work to a new building for the Faculty of Health Sciences is also proceeding rapidly on the site where the vehicle pool and Hertz were previously used. This will include a lecture hall for 200 students, five venues for 100 students each, as well as offices. Students from the School for Medicine and Occupational Therapy will make use of these facilities.

The new building for the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences between the Flippie Groenewoud Building and the Wynand Mouton Theatre is also coming along nicely.

On the university’s Qwaqwa Campus a new Education building is being constructed. This building will include a lecturing hall with 100 seats, four 50-seat classrooms, six offices, ablution facilities, a biology and science laboratory, as well as an information technology laboratory for 60 students.

In the meantime, existing buildings are being renovated on all the campuses. This includes, amongst others, improvements to the Architecture Building, the Biotechnology Building and the quarters for service workers on the Main Campus. Other improvements that have already been completed include the renovation of the Odeion’s foyer and the Callie Human Centre.

In future, students, staff and visitors to the UFS can also look forward to a rock-climbing wall at the Student Centre on the Thakaneng Bridge, a memorial park for women, residential accommodation within a sports environment, and a botanical garden.

Media Release
03 February 2011
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept