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12 December 2023 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Supplied
Prof Anthea Rhoda
Prof Anthea Rhoda, newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the UFS.
The University of the Free State (UFS) has appointed Prof Anthea Rhoda as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic from 1 March 2024.

Prof Rhoda is currently Dean of the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences (CHS) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). She holds a Professorship in the Department of Physiotherapy at UWC and has completed a BSc and a PhD in Physiotherapy at UWC. She also completed a BSc Honours in Physiotherapy (Neurology) and an MSc in Medical Sciences (Rehabilitation) at Stellenbosch University.

She is an established leader and scholar as an NRF C1-rated researcher and brings a wealth of expertise, extensive networks, and local and international partnerships to the UFS. Her research activities have been supported by grants awarded by both the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and the National Research Foundation (NRF). She conducts research in faculty development and interprofessional education. Her research output includes publications in international and local journals and books, as well as presentations and conferences both locally and abroad.

“Prof Rhoda is regarded as a trailblazer in her field of specialisation. Her more than 30 years of professional industry and higher education experience in previous roles, among others as a full professor and Dean of the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at UWC, and various academic roles since 1988 at the UWC, Stellenbosch University, and the Western Cape Department of Health, places her in good standing to elevate the academic portfolio, aligned to the UFS’ Vision 130,” says Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS.

Prof Rhoda’s interest in building capacity in African scholars has seen her supervise a number of PhD and master’s students from across the African continent. Prof Rhoda is dedicated to developing a critical mass of next generation emerging academics through her Capacity Building Programme for Associate Lecturers and a Mentoring for Academics Programme she facilitates at UWC. She is an associate editor for the African Journal of Health Professions Education and completed her term as Chair of the South African Committee of Health Sciences Deans. 

Prof Rhoda completed a number of fellowships, including the Sub-Saharan Africa-FAIMER Regional Institute (SAFRI) fellowship programme for health professionals as well as a Strategic Management Programme at the Saïd Business School of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

“Prof Rhoda’s excellent standing among national peers and her unique experience and networks, as well as her knowledge and understanding of the South African, African, and global higher-education environment, research systems, and breadth of community engagement are deep and extensive. We wish her well in the new portfolio and look forward to working with her,” says Prof Petersen. 

“I am looking forward to my new role as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the UFS, contributing to achieving the university’s Vision 130, driving the agenda of impacting society through transdisciplinary approaches, and graduating students for the changing world of work,” says Prof Rhoda.

News Archive

Lots of inspiration at Autumn Graduation Ceremony
2013-04-18

 

Graduates celebrate the results of years of study at the graduation ceremony on the Bloemfontein Campus.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
17 April 2013

Live streaming of ceremonies available from 16 April - 19 April 2013: http://www.ufs.ac.za/ufslivestreaming/

Joshua Johnson YouTube video

The university’s Autumn Graduation Ceremony got off to a vibrant start with energetic performances and inspiring messages for graduates.

Joshua Johnson, an American student who uses his talent for tap-dancing to fund his tertiary education, mesmerised the audience on the first of the four-day graduation ceremony with his story of hope and perseverance. The student from Penn State University travels five hours by bus to New York every weekend where he tap-dances on the subway trains to earn money for his tuition fees.

Delivering a keynote address, Joshua told graduates that, in order to achieve their goals, they have to understand and work diligently with the 24 hours they get to live daily. “Start with a bang and end with a bang,” he said, encouraging the audience in the nearly-packed Callie Human Centre to join him in a rhythmic tap-dancing beat.

“Don’t follow in the footsteps of someone else. Take the beat of life, but add your rhythm to it," his wise words resonating with the exhilarated graduates.

Joshua will be the guest speaker at the ceremonies on 16, 17 and 19 April 2013 and will deliver a dance item during each occasion.

Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the University, echoed Joshua‘s message, telling graduates not to be discouraged by life’s difficulties.

“Take what you have learned over the last three or four years and use that knowledge to reach your goal,” he advised.

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, encouraged them to continue to study. “To break the cycle of poverty, get an education, get a degree.” He told them that as graduates they are ten times more likely to get a job, with the odds rising as they continue their postgraduate studies.

Well-known radio host and Idols South Africa judge, Gareth Cliff, will be the guest speaker at two ceremonies on 18 April 2013. He will be joined by Vicus Visser, the South African YouTube singing sensation. Dubbed Bloemfontein’s Justin Bieber, Vicus and his brother Vincent will perform during these two ceremonies.

The programme for the respective ceremonies is:

Wednesday 17 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Education.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law and Theology.

Thursday 18 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Agricultural Sciences and Architecture.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: only Natural Sciences.

Friday 19 April

09:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: all diplomas and degrees in the Faculty, except BCom and BComHons.
14:30 Diplomas and certificates up to and including honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: only BCom and BComHons.

The Qwaqwa Campus’ graduation ceremony will take place on 8 June 2013. Diplomas/certificates up to and including doctorates will be awarded at this ceremony.

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