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Frater Celebration Day Hybrid Conference to be held on 5 May 2022

04 May 2022

Robert Frater — The research efforts in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in the Faculty of Health Sciences, UFS, have come a long way since the establishment of a homograft bank, animal research, and laboratory-based research on cardioplegia by Prof Hannes Meyer in the 1980s

Several world-class scientists and academics in the field of cardiovascular research will converge at the University of the Free State (UFS) on Thursday (5 May 2022) for a one-day hybrid conference to explore and celebrate the massive strides made in this critical field at the UFS Robert W M Frater Cardiovascular Research Centre.

The research efforts in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in the Faculty of Health Sciences, UFS, have come a long way since the establishment of a homograft bank, animal research, and laboratory-based research on cardioplegia by Prof Hannes Meyer in the 1980s. Renewed interest in 2004 under the leadership of Prof Francis E Smit culminated in the establishment of the Robert W M Frater Cardiovascular Research Centre (the Frater Centre) in 2015. This was made possible through donor funding, especially by Dr Robert W M Frater MD PhD (honoris causa, UFS), a South Africa-born New York-based cardiothoracic surgeon, researcher and innovator as infrastructure and project support by the UFS.

The vision of the Frater Centre is to be a leading cardiovascular research institution in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. It provides an interdisciplinary training and research platform for scientists and clinicians from different backgrounds to develop as researchers and collaborators in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery and related domains. Activities are focused on the development of African solutions for African problems.

Three main divisions
The Frater Celebration day will highlight the achievements made thus far in a hybrid format in four sessions, which can be attended on a virtual platform or in person. The centre’s local and international collaborators will participate in the programme, and Dr Ronnie van der Merwe, the Group CEO of Mediclinic International, is the guest of honour.

The Frater Centre consists of three main divisions, all of which will form part of the focus of the conference programme in various forms during the day:

1) The Clinical Research Division addresses cardiovascular disease on a broad front, ranging from population and prevalence studies, healthcare solutions and clinical outcomes studies in a specific South African and African context.

2) The Research, Development and Commercialisation division is divided into Tissue Engineering and Cell Biology, Tissue Banking and Large Animal studies, and bioengineering to develop African solutions and technology within these domains.

3) The Simulation Programme provides an integrated interdisciplinary platform for the education and training of individuals and teams in cardiovascular, thoracic, anaesthetic, perfusion technology and related nursing fields in a state-of-the-art simulation unit. The research centre is developing a unique and leading programme and systems in this field. This endeavour is also developing IT models for training, evaluation and research.

The Frater Centre and 4IR
The Centre is firmly established in the fourth industrial revolution. It is new technology-driven, creating new IT platforms and boasts extensive interdisciplinary projects at the biomedical sector's local, national, and international levels.

It is essential to note that the extensive and successful collaboration within the Frater Centre not only exists on institutional level but also nationally and internationally. These collaborators assist, mentor, direct and contribute to the research activities.

Click: Link to the event
Event programme

News Archive

UFS application figures show a good upward trend

2008-10-23

Applications for admission to the University of the Free State (UFS) are showing an upward trend. In comparison with the same time last year, the total application figure has increased from 6 273 to 7 507 – a growth of 19,7%.

So far, applications for postgraduate studies are showing the biggest growth with 1 342 applications received. During the same time last year, 594 applications for postgraduate studies were received – an increase of 126%.

Prospective students have until 30 November 2008 to apply for admission. “This applies to first-time entering first-year students and senior students who have interrupted their studies for at least one year,” said Mr Vernon Collett, Registrar: Student Academic Services, at the UFS.

According to Mr Collett students whose applications for admission are received after 30 November 2008 and until 13 January 2009 will be accepted subject to the availability of place on the programme they applied for.

Applications from prospective students who wrote the Senior Certificate (prior to 2008) and who are in the possession of a conditional exemption will only be accepted until 5 January 2009.

Prospective students who want to apply must pay a non-refundable fee of R140.
The signed application form must be accompanied by a certified copy of the prospective student’s identity document or passport, a proof of payment of the application fee as well as a certified copy of their Statement of Results of their Senior Certificate.

Prospective students who are in Grade 12 this year will receive a National Senior Certificate. A certified copy of their Statement of Results must be faxed to the UFS not later than 7 January 2009.

The application form of a minor must be signed by his/her parent or guardian and the field of study should be clearly indicated.

First-time entering first-year students from the Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences and the Humanities (including Education) will be welcomed by the Acting Rector, Prof. Teuns Verschoor, on Friday, 9 January 2009 at 09:00 in the Callie Human Centre on the Main Campus.

The welcoming of students from the Faculties of Health Sciences, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Law and Theology will take place on Saturday, 10 January 2009 at 09:00 in the Callie Human Centre.

The registration of first-time entering first-year students will commence on 13 January 2009 and that of senior students on 19 January 2009 at the Callie Human Centre according to a programme.

Students who applied for admission after 30 November 2008 and are accepted can register from 4 February 2009.

Lectures will commence on 2 February 2009 and the registration process will end on 10 February 2009. This is applicable to all students – undergraduate as well as postgraduates

Prospective students who want to apply for admission or who have any enquiries can call 051 401 3000 or visit the UFS web site at www.ufs.ac.za.

Media Release:
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
22 October 2008

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