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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.
Intervarsity get-together in Potch
2005-07-26
The largest and most enjoyable Kovsie get-together of all times will be held in Potchefstroom on 12 August. Kovsies from everywhere will attend the Kovsie Intervarsity Reunion in Potchefstroom so that everybody can know, once and for all, that the UFS’s Shimlas are better than the PUKKE. The reunion will be held at the Clubhouse of the Potchefstroon Town Rugby Club at Olien Park at 18:30 on Friday 12 August (and for those with real stamina the whole weekend long).
The cost of R65 per person includes a delicious barbecued meal. A cash bar will also be available. Most of the other old Kovsies you would like to see again will be there, so do not miss out on this event!
There is also a camping site for caravans and tents are available on the site for those who wish to watch sports events and visit the whole weekend long. Please feel free to contact Anton Mostert at 082 467 1702 to reserve accommodation.
To book your place, contact Jeannette Boshoff-Jansen at 051-401-3594.
Make sure that you do not miss the Kovsie get-together of the year!!!