Latest News Archive
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News Items
2023-03-29 |
HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH: Safety is not a privilege, it’s a right |
2023-03-29 |
HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH: Safety is not a privilege, it’s a right |
2023-03-29 |
MoU signing: Internationalisation of the Health Sciences in Africa |
2023-03-29 |
MoU signing: Internationalisation of the Health Sciences in Africa |
2023-03-28 |
UFS researchers contribute to roadmap for genomic disease surveillance in Africa |
2023-03-28 |
UFS researchers contribute to roadmap for genomic disease surveillance in Africa |
2023-03-28 |
Electoral reform: Is the electoral system keeping the ANC in power? |
2023-03-28 |
Electoral reform: Is the electoral system keeping the ANC in power? |
2023-03-27 |
UFS to cap more than eight thousand graduands |
2023-03-27 |
UFS to cap more than eight thousand graduands |
2023-03-27 |
Doing Community Development differently: lessons on immersive community work for Qwaqwa Campus students |
2023-03-27 |
Doing Community Development differently: lessons on immersive community work for Qwaqwa Campus students |
2023-03-24 |
The rivalry that powers Free State rugby returns |
2023-03-24 |
The rivalry that powers Free State rugby returns |
2023-03-24 |
Undiagnosed depression in tuberculosis patients threatens control of the disease |
2023-03-24 |
Undiagnosed depression in tuberculosis patients threatens control of the disease |
2023-03-23 |
Looking ahead: UFS unveils cutting-edge electron microscopy equipment |
2023-03-23 |
Looking ahead: UFS unveils cutting-edge electron microscopy equipment |
2023-03-22 |
Embracing diversity, strengthening human relationships and collective responsibility |
2023-03-22 |
Embracing diversity, strengthening human relationships and collective responsibility |
2023-03-22 |
UFS Library and Information Services hosts research seminar |
2023-03-22 |
UFS Library and Information Services hosts research seminar |
2023-03-20 |
Maths books add to scholarly work of UFS’ Prof Atangana |
2023-03-20 |
Maths books add to scholarly work of UFS’ Prof Atangana |
2023-03-20 |
HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH: I have the right to … |
2023-03-20 |
HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH: I have the right to … |
2023-03-20 |
Peer mentor programme a space for student learning and development |
2023-03-20 |
Peer mentor programme a space for student learning and development |
2023-03-16 |
Talented UFS students attract potential employers to career fairs |
2023-03-16 |
Talented UFS students attract potential employers to career fairs |
2023-03-16 |
The threats to South Africa’s domestic stability and security challenges |
2023-03-16 |
The threats to South Africa’s domestic stability and security challenges |
2023-03-15 |
Nomsa overcame obstacle to reach football heights |
2023-03-15 |
Nomsa overcame obstacle to reach football heights |
2023-03-15 |
Positive Masculinities, Gender-Based Violence, Men, Manhood, and Identity |
2023-03-15 |
Positive Masculinities, Gender-Based Violence, Men, Manhood, and Identity |
2023-03-15 |
Why it is unnecessary to make South African Sign Language the 12th official language |
2023-03-15 |
Why it is unnecessary to make South African Sign Language the 12th official language |
2023-03-15 |
‘A Decade of Impactful Research and Internationalisation’ - Prof Corli Witthuhn |
2023-03-15 |
‘A Decade of Impactful Research and Internationalisation’ - Prof Corli Witthuhn |
2023-03-14 |
What monsters lurk in the dark?: The impact of loadshedding on food systems in South Africa |
2023-03-14 |
What monsters lurk in the dark?: The impact of loadshedding on food systems in South Africa |
2023-03-14 |
Simulation is a wonderful training tool for health professional students |
2023-03-14 |
Simulation is a wonderful training tool for health professional students |
2023-03-10 |
UFS Sporting Legends: Former Protea thriving in ‘real world’ and assisting current crop |
2023-03-10 |
UFS Sporting Legends: Former Protea thriving in ‘real world’ and assisting current crop |
2023-03-09 |
UFS trains student volunteers to fight food insecurity |
2023-03-09 |
UFS trains student volunteers to fight food insecurity |
2023-03-07 |
Dr William Mhundwa first UFS graduate to receive prestigious Suzman Medal |
2023-03-07 |
Dr William Mhundwa first UFS graduate to receive prestigious Suzman Medal |
2023-03-06 |
A Culture of Acceptance Could Be Our Country’s Greatest Threat |
2023-03-06 |
A Culture of Acceptance Could Be Our Country’s Greatest Threat |
2023-03-05 |
UFS shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of MEC Tate Makgoe |
2023-03-05 |
UFS shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of MEC Tate Makgoe |
2023-03-03 |
2023: the year of starting our new future |
2023-03-03 |
2023: the year of starting our new future |
2023-03-02 |
Prof Philippe Burger breaks down South Africa’s recent grey listing |
2023-03-02 |
Prof Philippe Burger breaks down South Africa’s recent grey listing |
2023-03-02 |
UFS Networking Breakfast attracts top learners |
2023-03-02 |
UFS Networking Breakfast attracts top learners |
2023-03-02 |
Fostering entrepreneurship among young people |
2023-03-02 |
Fostering entrepreneurship among young people |
2023-03-01 |
Let us fight against blood cancer, other blood disorders |
2023-03-01 |
Let us fight against blood cancer, other blood disorders |
2023-03-01 |
Clinical Simulation – Where is it going? |
2023-03-01 |
Clinical Simulation – Where is it going? |
Department celebrates 50th anniversary
2009-03-25
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The first Departmental Head and the subsequent Departmental Chairpersons at the dinner on 14 March this year. From left: Proff Bernard Prior (1991-1998), Piet Lategan (1962-1990), Derek Litthauer (1998-2002) and James du Preez (2002-). These are all the Heads/Chairpersons of the Department since its founding in 1959, with the exception of Prof Hans Potgieter who acted as Head during 1959-1962.
Photo: Stephen Collett
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Department celebrates 50th anniversary
On 13 March the Department Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology at the University of the Free State (UFS) celebrated its 50th anniversary in a splendid fashion with a lecture entitled, The origin of life: Exactly how did life begin? as part of the Darwin commemorative lecture series, followed by a reunion of current and former staff members and postgraduate students of the department with a barbeque on the following day.
The proceedings were concluded on 14 March with a gala dinner in die Centenary Complex at the UFS attended by 153 staff members, post-graduate students (current and former) and other guests. During the dinner the guests were treated to a presentation of historical photos of the founding and development of the department. Currently the department is one of the largest departments in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences in respect of the number of staff members and students as well as research outputs. This is the result of entrepreneurial actions to increase student numbers and research activities, as well as the merging with the smaller Department of Biochemistry in 1988 and more recently with the Department of Food Science in 2002. The department comprises 20 academics, 24 support staff and 65 postgraduate students. It also boasts 12 lecturers with ratings from the National Research Foundation (NRF), which include three academics with a B-rating, an indication of international recognition for their research. The department has the largest number of lecturers with an NRF-rating at the UFS.
“It was interesting to learn during the reunion of the variety of professions occupied by former students of the department, i.e. at other tertiary educational institutions, the CSSIR, SAPPI, Sasol and a multitude of other industries, as well as at research institutions in the USA and Australia,” said Prof. James du Preez, Head of the Department. |