Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
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

Unbeaten and hosting the Varsity Cup final
2015-03-31

Photo: Johan Roux

Not only will UFS Shimlas rugby team host their first-ever Varsity Cup final in Bloemfontein, but they still remain the only unbeaten side in this year’s tournament.

Shimlas knocked the defending champions, the University of Cape Town Ikeys team, out of the tournament during the semifinal in Bloemfontein on Monday 30 March 2015, beating the visitors 21-10. In Pretoria, North-West University’s Pukke crushed  top-of-the-log University of Pretoria Tukkies with a close-edged 29-28 win in the other semifinal.

It was the first-ever home semifinal for Shimlas. The home side showed determination from the start of the match when No.8 Niell Jordaan crossed the line early on for the first try of the clash. Shimlas’ Niel Marais was successful with the kick at goal, giving the home side an 8 - 0 lead.

Shortly afterwards, the Ikeys scored their first try of the match, but were unsuccessful with the conversion kick. Shimlas struck back with a driving maul where flank Daniel Maartens scored the second Shimlas’ try of the night, taking the scoreboard to 16-5 after yet another conversion by Marais.

Ikeys managed to get another unconverted try shortly before the halftime break, leaving the score at 16-10 after the first 40 minutes, with just two conversions separating the teams.

The second half saw less action, but Shimlas’ left wing Maphutha Dolo scored his team’s third and final try of the match, putting them in a 21-10 lead minutes before full time.

Shimlas will host Pukke for this year’s Varsity Cup final on Monday 13 April at 19:00 at Shimla Park, UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Player that Rocks:
Daniel Maartens

UFS Shimlas point scorers:

Tries: Niell Jordaan, Daniel Maartens, Maphutha Dolo
Cons: Niel Marais (2)

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept