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UFS presents the second Heads of Diplomatic Mission breakfast

02 November 2023 | Story Kekeletso Makau | Photo SUPPLIED

The second Heads of Diplomatic Mission breakfast was hosted by the University of the Free State (UFS) in collaboration with the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) in Pretoria, South Africa on 26 October 2023.

The event served as an opportunity to position the UFS as a preferred partner for international collaboration in higher education, research, and innovation – following the success of the inaugural event in 2022. More than ten diplomatic missions were represented by distinguished foreign mission representatives who shared in the deliberations on this year’s theme, namely partnerships and collaborations.

The keynote address was delivered by the UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Francis Petersen, with contributing presentations from MISTRA researcher Laurence Caromba, UFS Professor of Pharmacology, Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa, and Senior Lecturer from the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, Dr Grey Magaiza. A key goal of Prof Petersen’s presentation was to highlight the benefits of reciprocal collaboration and co-creation of knowledge with international partners, including industry partners. Contributing presentations posited the UFS as a partner of interest in research, innovation, and technology in the international arena and showcased the value of university and diplomatic partnerships in support of the UFS Internationalisation Strategy and Vision 130.

Caromba, a MISTRA researcher, reiterated the importance of collaboration between universities, research institutes, and the diplomatic community, further reaffirming the partnership value proposition entrenched in the UFS-MISTRA collaboration in co-hosting this year’s event. MISTRA, a renowned influential think tank, served as an excellent partner for the event.

The UFS currently boasts more than 100 vibrant international partnerships and is the incumbent coordinator of large EU-funded Erasmus+ projects among South African universities, with UFS researchers having co-authored more than 5 000 scientific publications with universities worldwide (2018-2022).

An engaging question-and-answer session concluded with insights and further action items for continued engagement post the event.

News Archive

Deadline for written submissions extended to 12:00 on Wednesday 15 November 2017

2017-11-08

Deadline for written submissions extended: Investigation/review into the handling of student protests on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses by private security companies during october 2017.

A panel, consisting of Mr Ashraf Mahomed and Ms Nomfundo Walaza, has been appointed by the University of the Free State (UFS) to investigate/review the handling of student protests on the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses by private security companies during October 2017.

Mr Ashraf Mahomed is an attorney and director at Ashraf Mahomed Attorneys in Cape Town. He specialises in constitutional law, administrative law, public law, alternative dispute resolution (including mediation, arbitration, negotiation and facilitation), and land reform law. Mr Mahomed serves as a board member of the Dullah Omar Institute (DOI) for Constitutional Law, Governance and Human Rights at the University of the Western Cape, as well as the Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education. He recently completed his second term as President of the Cape Law Society (CLS).

Ms Nomfundo Walaza is a clinical psychologist who has worked in the human rights field for the past two decades. For the past nine years, she has served as the CEO of the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre and also served for 11 years as the Executive Director of the Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture in Cape Town. Ms Walaza is currently the Executive Director of PeaceSystems – a civil-society organisation that supports the development of sustainable institutions and systems that prevent, manage, and resolve conflict in African societies.

This is an independent panel, which was requested by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS on behalf of the UFS Executive, and supported by the President of the Central Student Representative Council on behalf of the student body.

Submissions by students and staff are awaited and can be submitted as follows:

1. Written submissions

The deadline for written submissions has been extended to 12:00 on Wednesday 15 November 2017. Submissions can be sent to news@ufs.ac.za.

2. Oral submissions

The panel will visit the campuses as follows to receive oral submissions:

Bloemfontein Campus:
Monday 13 November 2017
Time: 09:00-17:00
Venue: SRC Chambers, Steve Biko Building

Kindly confirm attendance of the sessions by contacting Ms Rochelle Ferreira at +27 51 401 9808 or FerreiraR1@ufs.ac.za by 14:00 on Friday 10 November 2017.

Qwaqwa Campus:
Tuesday 14 November 2017
Time: 09:00-17:00
Venue: Senate Hall, Intsika Building

Kindly confirm attendance of the sessions by contacting Ms Thabile Zuma at +27 58 718 5094 or ZumaMT@ufs.ac.za by 14:00 on Friday 2017.

Enquiries can be directed to Mr JC van der Merwe at vdmjc@ufs.ac.za.

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393

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