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We celebrate this great achievement with pride

03 September 2021 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath

The executive management of the University of the Free State (UFS) and the university community extend heartfelt congratulations to Prof Bonang Mohale on his appointment as President of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA).

“Prof Mohale’s extensive expertise and experience in leadership roles, contributions to the growth of many multinational companies, and involvement in education and the business sector, will undoubtedly strengthen the ties between various sectors and civil society, and further contribute to the stabilisation and growth of South Africa,” said Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, in his congratulatory letter to Prof Mohale.

BUSA’s role in influencing policy and legislative development for inclusive growth and employment, and in building an enabling environment for the creation of a vibrant, diverse, and globally competitive economy that harnesses the economic and human potential in South Africa, is well documented. This potential resides in our higher education institutions in the form of our students, future graduates, and graduates who are the building blocks for the development of South Africa.

At a time when our country is facing a social and economic crisis, we are confident that BUSA will consider the perspectives across sectors with a view to creating partnerships, collaboration, and co-creation and further play an integral role in our higher education institutions for the benefit of our students.

“Prof Mohale’s support to the UFS is appreciated, especially his role as Chancellor and his contribution towards our Thought-Leader and Global Citizen programmes, through which important national and global issues are addressed.

We wish Prof Mohale every success in his endeavours, particularly as President of BUSA,” said Prof Petersen.

News Archive

UFS celebrates research excellence

2016-02-25

Researchers at the university were acknowledged for their new research ratings. From the left are: Prof Johann de Wet, Department of Communication Sciences; Prof Naomi Morgan, Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French; Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research; Prof André Pelser, Department of Sociology; Dr Trudi O’Neill, Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology; and Prof Riaz Seedat, Department Otorhinolaryngology.

During a recent gala occasion, the University of the Free State (UFS) acknowledged 15 of its researchers who received new ratings from the National Research Foundation (NRF).

According to Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research at the UFS, 37 applications have already been received for the next round of ratings by the NRF. In recent years, the university has experienced an increase in the rating of its researchers as the result of raised academic standards. These are in line with the Academic Project of the UFS. The UFS has 125 rated researchers in total.

The 15 recipients of new ratings from the NRF in 2015,are:

- Dr Tanya Beelders, Computer Science: Y2
- Dr Andrew Cohen, History: Y1
- Prof Pieter de Villiers, Theology: C2
- Prof Johann de Wet, Communication: C3
- Dr Angelinus Franke, Agriculture: C2
- Prof Jonathan Jansen, Education: B1
- Prof Riaan Luyt, Chemistry: B3
- Prof Naomi Morgan, Linguistics: C2
- Dr Trudi O’Neill, Microbiology: C1
- Prof André Pelser, Sociology: C3
- Dr Johann Rossouw, Philosophy: C2
- Prof Riaz Seedat, Health: C3
- Dr Jakub Urbaniak, Theology: Y2
- Dr Martin van Zyl, Mathematics: C3
- Prof Sue Walker, Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences: C1

The UFS also celebrated its five SARChI research chairs during this event. The main goal of the research chairs is to promote research excellence.

The five research chairs at the UFS are all established at Tier 1. Research chairs in the Tier 1 category are based on the researcher's research track record, as well as on the training record of his/her postgraduate and postdoctoral students. Tier 1 research chairs are awarded to established researchers who are leaders in their field, and whose work is recognised internationally.

The following research chairs have been awarded to the UFS since 2013:

- Solid State Luminescent and Advanced Materials, Prof Hendrik Swart in the Department of Physics (2013-2017)
- Disease Resistance and Quality in Field Crops, Prof Maryke Labuschagne (2016-2020)
- Higher Education and Human Development, Prof Melanie Walker (2013-2017)
- Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Pathogens, Prof Felicity Burt (2016-2020)
- Humanities without Borders: Trauma, History and Memory (2016-2020)

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