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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.
Prof. Jonathan Jansen to receive lifetime achievement award
2012-03-23
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Prof. Jonathan Jansen
23 March 2012
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The University of the Free State (UFS) is proud to announce the nomination of its Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, for a Lifetime Achievement Award for Africa. The nomination by Education Africa is for his work, vision and achievements in higher education.
The past awardees are Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Sir Bob Geldof, Sir Richard Branson and David Dinkins, former mayor of New York City.
Education Africa is a non-profit organisation which assists disadvantaged South Africans to obtain a quality, relevant education. Prof. Jansen will receive the award during a Gala Awards dinner in New York, USA, in October this year.
Following on his successful book "We need to talk", Prof. Jansen also recently released a new book entitled "Letters to my children: Tweets to make you think".
The royalties of "We need to talk", to the value of R100 000 will be handed over to the No Student Hungry Campaign of the UFS during a Dinner Launch of the campaign in Bloemfontein tonight.
Prof. Jansen also recently received the Paul Harris Award from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for “tangible and significant assistance for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.”
Media Release
23 March 2012
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: +27(0)51 401 2584
Cell: +27(0)83 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za