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Prof Paul Oberholster
Prof Paul Oberholster was one of 29 scholars and scientists that were inaugurated as new ASSAf members in earlier this month (19 October 2022).

Prof Paul Oberholster, Director of the Centre for Environmental Management at the University of the Free State (UFS), is the newest academic from the university to be inaugurated as a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). 

Prof Oberholster was one of 29 scholars and scientists who were inaugurated as new ASSAf members earlier this month (19 October 2022). At the same time, 10 new members of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) were inaugurated.

As the official Academy of South Africa, ASSAf honours the country’s most outstanding scholars by electing them to membership of the Academy. ASSAf members are drawn from the full spectrum of disciplines. New members are elected each year by the full membership of the Academy in recognition of scholarly achievement. Members are the core asset of the Academy and give of their time and expertise voluntarily in the service of society. The 29 new ASSAf Members bring the total membership of ASSAf to 659.

Science must be in the service

“I feel very honoured to have been selected as a member of the official national academy of science which represents South Africa in the international community of science academies. I am a strong believer that science must be in the service of society. In all my research, I have shown an interest and determination to bring practitioners, students, and scholars together to pursue and foster the betterment of the human condition through its intimate relation to the natural world. The latter is in strong relationship with the vision and mission of the Academy,” says Prof Oberholster about being included in the academy of science.

This honour comes almost a year after Prof Oberholster won the NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) Award for his contribution to water resource management in SA over the past five years, with special reference to the field of biological passive wastewater treatment.

According to him, the ASSAf membership means providing evidence-based scientific advice on water resource issues of public interest to government and other stakeholders. He was nominated by Prof Eugene Cloete, the previous Vice-Rector Research and Innovation at Stellenbosch University for his research focus related to water resource management.

Research has direct impact on the most important resources

Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice Rector: Research and Internationalisation, says the UFS staff and students are proud of the national recognition that Prof Oberholster received for his lifetime achievements in research on water resource management. His research has direct impact on the managing, protection and rehabilitation of one of the country’s most important resources.  

“The demands on our water supplies will increase in the future as a result of climate change globally. We believe his research will become even more important and relevant in the next decade. We are looking forward to his future achievements and will work with him to provide him with the appropriate UFS support.  Congratulations,” says Prof Witthuhn.

News Archive

UFS Council appoints agency to assist with its residence integration policy
2008-06-06

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) has appointed the Cape Town based iGubu Leadership Agency to assist with its residence integration policy.

“The agency will assist management in understanding and identifying the current obstacles related to the implementation of the residence integration policy, draw up proposals to enhance and successfully implement this integration policy, and implement these proposals to ensure successful integration within the 21 residences on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein,” says Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Acting Rector of the UFS.

The agency was appointed after an intensive advertising, screening and interviewing process was conducted by the university’s management. A recommendation on the successful candidate was subsequently made to the Council and the iGubu Leadership Agency was informed of its appointment this past week,” says Prof. Verschoor.

“Some of the projects that we have been involved in include the development and management of student leadership at among others the universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town as well as the Huguenot College, and leadership initiatives such as the Beeld Youth Summit and last year’s Brightest Young Minds conference,” says Mr Rudi Buys, Chief Executive Officer. He will be working with Mr Yeki Mosomothane, Strategy Manager of the agency and a diverse team of facilitators.

Their main focus will be on investigating the trust relationships between stakeholders, establishing healthy relationships between students and the development of the skills of student leaders to establish conversations on values and meaningful change in residences and the student community.

“In the first phase of the project we will be conducting research and talk to students and other role players regarding ways of building unity on campus. After that the kind of programmes that may be implemented to further integration in residences will be determined together with stakeholders and the most suitable ones will be implemented. We will emphasise ownership and participation of processes by students and other stakeholders to ensure sustainability,” says Mr Buys.

The contract is for two and a half years and the agency must regularly report to Council via management on its progress. “We see this appointment as an investment in the integration of our residences and look forward to the interventions iGubu Leadership Agency can bring to the table,” says Prof. Verschoor.

The agency specialises in mentoring individuals and teams and in facilitating the participation of communities in transformation and reconciliation initiatives in specifically an African context, and does so from a leadership development perspective. The agency has extensive experience in facilitating programmes for diversity and integration.

iGubu Leadership Agency’s appointment goes hand in hand with the appointment of other agencies who will support management and make recommendations on how to accelerate transformation and position the UFS as an engaged and responsive university.

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
6 June 2008

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