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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.
Three … Two … One … Lift off! Naval Hill Planetarium is blasting the public off into space
2014-02-28
History was made on 1 November 2013 when the first digital planetarium in sub-Saharan Africa was inaugurated – right here in Bloemfontein. Due to the involvement of the University of the Free State, in partnership with a host of sponsors, the public can now visit the outer reaches of our universe from the top of Naval Hill.
A digital dome was fitted into the existing observatory structure, is a 12-metre seamless aluminium screen, complemented by a powerful surround-sound system and multiple data projectors. The result: an immersive journey through space which feels very close to reality.
The response from the community has been overwhelming, with a booming interest in the night sky and galaxies stretching into the unknown. Several exhilarating shows – each lasting about 60 minutes – are scheduled for the next couple of months.
One of these ‘flights of fancy’ includes the show Space Junk to be screened twice a month. Space Junk complements the blockbuster science fiction thriller, Gravity, that showed at the movies during the last few weeks of 2013.
Booking for this show is essential.
Rates:
Adults: R50
Learners: R30
Pensioners: R30
You are welcome to send any enquiries to Yolandie Loots at FickY@ufs.ac.za or contact her directly at 051 401 9751.
Rates and dates for group bookings are available on request.