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Ghana High Commissioner visits the UFS

24 June 2022 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath

“We are trying to close the divide between Ghanaian and South African higher education institutions. Many Ghanaians look to UK and US universities as their first option. However, the same level of education, at a far less rate, is offered at South African higher education institutions – and the University of the Free State in particular.”

These were some of the sentiments shared by His Excellency Mr Charles Asuako Owiredu, High Commissioner of the Republic of Ghana to South Africa, during his recent visit to the University of the Free State.

The High Commissioner, accompanied by the Deputy High Commissioner and Head of Protocol, was hosted by Prof Francis Petersen. After a successful meeting, the students and academics from the Ghanaian community were also engaged. “The Vice-Chancellor was full of praise for the Ghanaian students and their performance at the UFS,” said the High Commissioner.

Prof Chitja Twala, Vice-Dean in the Faculty of the Humanities, highlighted the longstanding relationship that the UFS has with the University of Ghana. “We have a good relationship with the Department of History at the University of Ghana, and we are looking forward to collaboration with the institution,” added Prof Twala.

The High Commissioner felt strongly about cementing the relationships that already exist between the UFS and universities in Ghana and will lobby for education to be included in the master framework used as an operational document between the two countries. Faculty exchanges between the UFS and Ghanaian universities were also encouraged by the High Commissioner.

The High Commissioner encouraged Ghanaian students and academics at the UFS to suggest ways to deepen the relationship between the UFS and Ghanaian institutions.

Dr Prince Sarpong, Senior Lecturer in the School for Financial Planning Law at the UFS, proposed a collaboration between the UFS and Ghanaian institutions in the field of financial planning, whereby there could be an opportunity to reach out and expand the practice of financial planning to institutions in Ghana. The High Commissioner was eager to know more about financial planning and its location within law.

Ghanaian students who attended the meeting shared their experiences and perspectives about the UFS and indicated that an excellent relationship exists with project supervisors while pursuing their studies remotely.

According to Ghanaian students based on the UFS campuses, the UFS is doing great work by engaging students from Ghana in the UFS programme. However, students indicated that challenges were experienced with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Dr Cornelius Hagenmeier, Director of the Office for International Affairs at the UFS, assured students that the aspect of SAQA is important and will be looked into, as it relates to the recruitment of students.

The High Commissioner also suggested that the Ghana Accreditation Board engage with SAQA.

A UFS delegation will be visiting Ghana in October to explore the opportunities in agriculture, entrepreneurship, and the Business School.

News Archive

Number of NRF-rated researchers increases in 2012

2012-10-29

29 October 2012

Three researchers at the University of the Free State received B-ratings for 2013 from the National Research Foundation (NRF). Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of Law, obtained the highest rating in his field of mercantile law in South Africa, a B1.

Prof. Jackie Naudé from Classical and Near Eastern Studies and Prof. Dingie Janse van Rensburg, Professor Extraordinary at the Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, also obtained B3-ratings. Prof. Naudé is the first B-rated researcher in the Faculty of Humanities.

Prof. Helene Strauss obtained the highest rating (Y1) for a UFS young scholar in the Humanities.

In total, the NRF rated researchers at the UFS grew from 95 in 2011 to 109 in 2012, a growth of almost 15 percent.

The NRF ratings committee consist of three reviewers from South Africa and three from abroad. A rating is valid for six years and researchers must reapply for rating before the end of that period.

For a B1-rating all reviewers must be firmly convinced that the applicant enjoys considerable international recognition for the high quality of the researcher’s recent output, with some indicating that the researcher is a leading international scholar in a field. For a B3-rating most of the reviewers must be convinced that the researcher enjoys international recognition for the high quality and impact of the research.

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, said in the UFS Research Report “The UFS now has among the highest number of NRF-rated scientists per size of the academic faculty and we have seen the productivity graph bear witness to a record growth in our funded research outputs; we have won our first-ever NRF/DST Research Chairs. In each of these achievements, the excellence we seek comes with and through the diversity we celebrate.”

More ratings and renewals were expected by the time of Bult went to print.. More than 35 researchers applied for ratings or renewal of ratings.

Colleagues who were admitted to the prestigious Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) are Profs. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, Driekie Hay, Heidi Hudson, Lodewyk Kock, Odireleng Ntwaeaborwa, Hugh Patterton, Ian Phimister and Melanie Walker. ASSAf was established in 1996 with the mission of using science for the benefit of society. New members are elected after nomination by four existing members (at least two of whom do so from personal knowledge of the candidate). ASSAf has some 350 members and represents South Africa in the international community of science academies.
Dr Marieka Gryzenhout of Plant Sciences became a member of South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS). SAYAS celebrated its first year in 2012. It was launched as a means to enable South Africa’s young scientists to fully participate in locally and internationally relevant research and development agendas. Prof. Aldo Stroebel, Director: Internationalisation, is also a member of SAYAS.

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