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10 October 2023 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo SUPPLIED
Prof Paul Oberholster
Prof Paul Oberholster, newly appointed Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

The University of the Free State (UFS) has appointed Prof Paul Oberholster as Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences as of 1 January 2024. 

Strong networks and winner of prestigious awards for research, innovation, and leadership 

Prof Oberholster is currently the Director: Centre for Environmental Management at the UFS. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the UFS before obtaining a PhD in water resource management at the University of Pretoria. 

After several years in secondary education, Prof Oberholster started his scientific research career as a Senior Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 2007. In 2017, he became a Chief Scientist (the highest scientific position at the CSIR, and senior management) managing large multidisciplinary projects on the African continent related to integrated water resource management and natural-based treatment solutions/ecological engineering. 

During his time at the CSIR, he acted as extraordinary professor and lecturer in several academic departments at different institutions, including Stellenbosch University, the University of Pretoria, and the University of the Western Cape. During the same time, he received several prestigious awards for research, innovation, and leadership. 

In 2019, Prof Oberholster joined the UFS as Director of the Centre for Environmental Management and also received the National Science and Technology Foundation (NSTF) award in the category Water Research Commission, with a focus on natural-based passive phyco-remediation and phytoremediation treatment technology. In 2022, he was elected as a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in recognition of his academic achievements in South Africa, and in 2023 he was appointed as the Managing Director of the Ecological Engineering Institute of Africa (EEIA). 

Rated among top 2% in the world in the scientific category of engineering/technology, ecological engineering and environmental engineering. 

Currently, Prof Oberholster is rated among the top 2% in the world in the scientific category of engineering/technology, ecological engineering, and environmental engineering. “Prof Oberholster has an extensive and impressive international research standing and has established extensive networks and partnerships. He can lead and manage the faculty in support of the UFS Vision 130’s ultimate intent for the coming years to be a research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged university,” says Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal. 

“It is a privilege to be part of the leadership team in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences – we will ensure that the faculty is known nationally and internationally as an excellent faculty serving our community. We aim to consolidate and build on the strengths of the university in order to extend its excellence in research and teaching and learning, which is imbedded in the UFS Vision 130,” says Prof Oberholster. 

Prof Oberholster will succeed the current Dean, Prof Danie Vermeulen, who will be retiring at the end of December 2023. 

News Archive

Kovsie student represents SA at Sudirman Cup in China
2009-05-26

The South African National Badminton Team recently represented South Africa at the Sudirman Cup in Guangzhou, China. The Sudirman Cup is the World Mixed-team Badminton Championships, which take place every two years.

Annari Viljoen, a Kovsie student and the brothers Chris and Roelof Dednam, former Kovsie students, were included in team that represented South Africa at the championships.

In the first match of the tournament, the Dednam brothers were the only victors when they won the mens doubles and defeated Paul Jefferson Vivas and Ronel Estanislao of the Philippines with 2117 and 2112.

In their second match, the South African team beat Luxembourg 41. In the mixed doubles the Dednams defeated Joe Michels and Yann Mellers with 2111 and 219 and in the womens doubles Michelle Edwards and Annari beat their opponents Anne Schumacher and Annick Weides with 1321 and 2224.

The South African team competed against Turkey in their third match and won 32, only losing the singles event. In the mens doubles the Dednams defeated Mehmet Tural and Ali Kaya with 2116 and 2113 and in the womens doubles Michelle Edwards and Annari beat Derya Calimbay and Oznur Caliskan with 2220 and 2117.

In the final group match team South Africa competed against Switzerland and lost 41 with only the mixed doubles pair of Dorian James and Annari winning their match against Anthony Dumartheray and Sabrina Jacquet with 1221, 2422 and 2119.

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