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29 March 2023
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Story Samkelo Fetile
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Photo Simba Matema
From left to right: Prof Jean Bernard Lekana-Douki, Director General at the CIRMF; Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS; and Prof Jean-Fabrice Yala, Scientific and Technical Director at the CIRMF.
The University of the Free State (UFS) recently welcomed senior members from the International Centre for Medical Research in Franceville (CIRMF), Gabon to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities.
CIRMF is a non-profit medical research centre that was established in 1974. Its primary focus is on diagnosing infectious diseases that pose immediate problems in Gabon and the Central African sub-region. The centre is dedicated to improving public health through various initiatives, including the training of Gabonese health executives in doctoral and post-doctoral education.
“The signing of the MoU with CIRMF is a step in the right direction as the UFS continues to strengthen its footprint on the African Continent. This is seminal in driving the university’s internationalisation processes and opening an avenue to expanding research networks, especially in the African continent,” said Bonolo Makhalemele, Coordinator of strategic projects at the Office for International Affairs, UFS.
In the interest of developing broader research collaborations, the CIRMF delegation met with some UFS academics in a series of engagements, particularly in the Health Sciences Faculty and the Natural and Agricultural Sciences Faculty. “The integration of knowledge and practices that emanate from the continent provides opportunities for the co-creation of knowledge that can be shared with the rest of the world,” said Kagiso Ngake, Coordinator for Partnerships, Collaborative Degrees, and Outgoing Mobility at the Office for International Affairs, UFS.
A concrete roadmap was established to formalise the collaborations that resulted from these engagements and will commence as soon as April 2023. “We have laid a solid foundation and are on the way to a strong and rich partnership!” exclaimed Prof Jean Bernard Lekana-Douki, Director General at the CIRMF.
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector, and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, further highlighted how the newly established partnership with the CIRMF aligns with the mandate of the UFS Vision 130 of expanding the UFS Africa research network.
Inauguration: Download speeches and media releases
2009-10-17

Speeches
- Verklaring van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Viserektor: Akademiese Bedryf (Afrikaans)
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- Declaration by the University of the Free State Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Vice-Rector: Academic Operations (English)
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- E Balwa ke Profesara Teuns Verschoor, Motlatsa Morektoro: Botsamaisi ba Dithuto (Sesotho)
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- Bekendstelling van Prof. Jonathan D Jansen - Regter Faan Hancke, Voorsitter van die UV-Raad (Afrikaans)
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- Introduction of Prof. Jonathan D Jansen - Judge Faan Hancke, Chairperson of the UFS Council (English)
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- Ho tsebiswa ha Profesara Jonathan D Jansen - Moahlodi Faan Hancke, Modulasetulo wa Lekgotla la Yunivesithi ya Freistata (Sesotho)
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- Inhuldigingstoespraak van die 13de Rektor en Visekanselier van die Universiteit van die Vrystaat (UV) Vir ’n tyd soos hierdie - Prof. Jonathan D Jansen (Afrikaans)
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- Inaugural speech of the 13th Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), For such a time as this - Prof. Jonathan D Jansen (English)
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- Thuto ya Tlhomamiso ya Motlatsa Mokanseliri ebile e le Rektoro ya bo 13 ya univesithi ya Freistata. Bakeng sa nako e kang - ena Jonathan D Jansen (Sesotho)
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Media Releases
- “Ons maak nou die boek oor Reitz toe,” sê nuwe UV Rektor (Afrikaans)
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- “We are closing the book on Reitz,” says new UFS Rector (English)
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- “Re kwala buka ka Reitz” ho realo Morektoro ya motjha wa UFS (Sesotho)
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- Nuwe Rektor kondig verandering in koshuise aan (Afrikaans)
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- New UFS Rector announces changes to residences (English)
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- New UFS Rector announces changes to residences (Sesotho)
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- “Onbeskaamd elitisties,” sê nuwe UV Rektor oor visie vir Kovsies (Afrikaans)
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- “Unashamedly elitist,” says new UFS Rector of vision for Kovsies (English)
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- “Ha re itshwabele ka bokakalope” ho realo Morektoro ya motjha wa UFS Rector ka pono bakeng sa Kovsies (Sesotho)
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