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16 February 2024
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Story ANTHONY MTHEMBU
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Photo ROSINA MOTHIBA
Prof Matseliso Mokhele-Makgalwa: Vice Dean; Research, Engagement and Internationalisation in the Faculty of Education at the University of the Free State (UFS).
The Faculty of Education at the University of the Free State (UFS) proudly announces the appointment of Prof Matseliso Mokhele-Makgalwa as Vice Dean of Research, Engagement and Internationalisation, effective 1 January 2024. With a wealth of experience and a fervent dedication to academic advancement, Prof Mokhele-Makgalwa’s appointment marks a significant stride towards enhancing the faculty’s global presence and academic prowess.
Transitioning into a new role
Transitioning seamlessly from her previous role as Acting Vice Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies, Prof Mokhele-Makgalwa perceives this new appointment as a natural progression, elevating her responsibilities to spearhead research endeavours, foster engagement, and cultivate international partnerships within the faculty. Embracing this pivotal role with enthusiasm, she underscores the importance of collaborative efforts among faculty members, securing research funding, and ensuring the quality and impact of scholarly outputs.
“I appreciate the opportunity to contribute significantly to the faculty’s research, engagement and internalisation efforts,” says Prof Mokhele-Makgalwa. “I look forward to collaborating with the faculty staff members to advance our academic initiatives on a broader scale.”
A vision of progression for the faculty
At the heart of her vision lies a commitment to realise the UFS’s Vision130, wherein Prof Mokhele-Makgalwa aims to elevate the international profile of the faculty, foster impactful research, promote engaged scholarship, and facilitate knowledge exchange on a global scale. Her strategic objectives also include positioning the faculty among the top three education schools nationally, reflecting her dedication to academic excellence and institutional advancement.
UFS welcomes two new deans in the faculties of Theology and Law
2014-08-04
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The university council has approved the appointment of two deans: Prof Fanie Snyman, at the Faculty of Theology and Prof Caroline Nicholson, at the Faculty of Law.
Both professors offer the university a wealth of knowledge and experience in research and teaching.
Prof Fanie Snyman
Prof Snyman joined the university in 1984 as a senior lecturer in the Department Old Testament. His career followed a steadfast ascent which led him to attaining the title of professor and head of department the following year. On 1 July 2013, Prof Snyman took on the additional role of acting dean of the faculty.
As dean, he set out a clear vision of academic leadership with four primary focus areas: research, teaching and learning, internationalisation and regional engagement.
He is the author of eight books and contributed to seven internationally- and twelve nationally-published books. He has published nine articles in international journals and about 60 more in accredited journals.
Prof Snyman proposes to bring staff members together to extensively rethink and reposition the faculty in terms of identity, transformation and the way forward. “We live in a complex world, characterised by uncertainty and in constant change. This calls for complex but also innovative solutions,” he says.
Prof Caroline Nicholson
Prof Caroline Nicholson was born in Scotland and came to South Africa as a young child. She obtained her BProc and LLB degrees at the University of the Witwatersrand and completed her articles of clerkship at Chernin’s in Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg. Prof Nicholson was admitted as both an attorney and notary public of the then Supreme Court of South Africa in 1986.
In 1986 she joined the University of South Africa (UNISA ) as a lecturer and remained there until 1999. During this time she completed an LLM in Banking Law and an LLD in Comparative Conflict of Laws – focusing on international parental child abduction. During the same year she moved to the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria where she worked for the last fifteen years. In 2003 she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and has an abiding interest in ADR, especially within the Family Law context.
Prof Nicholson has produced numerous articles and research presentations on a variety of legal subjects. Her primary areas of interest are, however, legal education and child law. She is known both nationally and internationally for her research contributions.