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25 October 2023 | Story Dr Kwazi Magwenzi | Photo supplied
SANRAL Chair launch
The SANRAL Chair in Mathematics and Science , Prof Loyiso Jita with the Programme graduates, the PhD and Masters SANRAL Alumni at the event held on 28 September 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The South African Chapter of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) Chair alumni programme at the University of the Free State (UFS) was recently launched at the Silverstar Hotel and Casino in Johannesburg. The event aimed to showcase and celebrate the achievements made and lessons learnt in the programme, highlight the key elements and outputs to the Faculty of Education stakeholders and reimagine the future. The Faculty of Education has increased its footprint in Engaged Scholarship activities, aligning itself with the UFS Vision 130. Multiple stakeholders and community partners were invited to witness the outstanding achievements of this programme.

Since its inception in 2014, the SANRAL Chair has produced over 40 PhD graduates in three countries, namely South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. One of the key goals of Vision 130 is for the UFS to be regionally engaged and to contribute to pressing societal needs. This involves knowledge generation that contributes to local and regional development and building sustainable partnerships. The PhD and Masters graduates have become a highly valued human resource in the South African education system and the region, and are now positioned as leaders in Institutions of higher learning in South Africa, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe.

The SANRAL Chair currently supervises a cohort of doctoral and master's students,  providing guidance in mathematical research and publications. The internship programme represents SANRAL's commitment to building skilled capacity in communities, along with driving social and economic transformation. SANRAL has also identified common challenges faced by Small, Medium, and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) in its projects and has implemented training programmes to address these issues. 

South Africa has implemented a range of programmes designed to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1), which includes land reform, agriculture, free higher education and growth. Despite the significant progress made on South Africa’s developmental journey since the advent of democracy in 1994, the country remains one of the most unequal societies in the world. Achieving the SDGs is, therefore, in South Africa’s best interest as the country pursues the vision of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, and prosperous nation living in harmony with itself and the rest of the world. 

As South Africa looks ahead to 2030, it seeks to build on the substantial progress achieved thus far, and on the robust policy, legislative, and planning foundation. The focus will be on consolidating and expanding the many areas where public welfare and development are at the forefront. 

News Archive

Anonymous e-mail campaign
2008-03-14

Statement by Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS)

A number of anonymous e-mails have been sent around the country the past couple of days creating a false impression about the situation on the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein.

In the e-mail reference is made to the morning of Tuesday, 4 March 2008 when incidents of intimidation by black students occurred on the Main Campus.

In the e-mail it is alleged that a white girl was attacked at the food court, her clothes ripped from her body, thrown off the Thakaneng Bridge (the university’s student centre) and that she had to run back to her residence. This is not true and if it was the case, the matter would have been reported and would have been addressed immediately.

Allegations of chaos and disorder on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein are also made in the e-mail. This is also untrue. Two peaceful protest marches, for which permission was granted, have already taken place yesterday and today (Thursday, 13 March 2008). These marches took place without any incidents.

I regard this as an anonymous campaign to whip up emotions, destabilise the campus and to instill fear among staff and students who are traumatised by the Reitz video and the repercussions thereof.

I urge parents, especially, not to allow themselves to be upset by such false rumours and e-mails.

All the university’s community, including parents, staff and students must come to terms with the Reitz video in a calm and rational way. The UFS management is intensively busy to manage this situation in the interest of the university and all its people. Academic activities are continuing as normal.


Media Release
Issued by: Anton Fisher
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 3422
Cell: 072 207 8334
E-mail: fishera.stg@ufs.ac.za  
13 March 2008

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