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Innovation in infrastructure development

16 January 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs

The university is transforming its campus with state-of-the-art infrastructure development. We are creating spaces that foster learning, empower groundbreaking research, and offer an enriching university experience.

UFS Sasol Library

The UFS has been hard at work to move away from traditional library spaces towards creating tech-enhanced, flexible environments that are dynamic for teaching and learning. According to Jeannet Molopyane, Director of Library and Information Services, they strive to align their spaces with global best practices with the infrastructure changes.

Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry

The Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry – completed in February 2023 – integrates seamlessly with its surrounding environment, while also providing a new collaborative workspace for the centre’s personnel. This state-of-the-art facility boasts various laboratories which were mainly funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). The CMBG includes, among other initiatives, the Mineral Node of the Biogeochemistry Research Infrastructure Platform (BIOGRIP), an initiative of the DSI. This space is situated next to the existing Microbiology Building on the Bloemfontein Campus.

University Estates Building

For this repair and renovation project, with a construction theme, internal and external materials were selected for their low-maintenance qualities. The first office, located opposite the entrance door, features cladding with exposed galvanised corrugated iron. A new steel mezzanine level was installed and painted in ‘CAT’ yellow and black. All pipes, including plumbing and electrical, are exposed on wall surfaces. The use of internal exposed brickwork, concrete floors, and oriented strand board in ceilings and cupboards further accents this quality in the completed project.

Animal Research Centre

The Animal Research Centre on the Qwaqwa Campus, replaced the temporary structure that previously served as animal housing. The new structure complies with the requirements and standards for a research facility and caters to the needs of researchers and animals, including small and large rodents. The exterior materials used complement those of the surrounding buildings, providing a low-maintenance profile. The building, accessible to persons with disabilities, contains two research laboratories, an ecotoxicology laboratory, a veterinarian’s office, and a procedure room.

South Campus 24/7 Study Space

The shift to extended programmes and dramatic increase in student enrolment on the South Campus created the need for additional study areas. Considering the steep site outcrop and the existing pedestrian routes from the lower campus, the design explored building blocks that progressively staggered up the hill to accommodate a small amphitheatre study area, maximising seating capacity. This allows the building to accommodate the site’s steepness rather than ignore it. The final design provides study spaces on three levels, all accessible via a ramp, with the main functions situated on the primary level. This design also ensures accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.

KovsieGear

Incline Architects has designed a new innovative space on the Thakaneng Bridge on the Bloemfontein Campus to accommodate the expansion of the KovsieGear outlet. This new design incorporates extra retail space along with additional room for administration work. The KovsieGear shop now features a new aesthetic, created with natural materials to complement the UFS colours.

News Archive

UFS honours young researchers

2006-02-10

Some of the guests attending the recognition function were from the left: Prof Magda Fourie (Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS), Mr Joseph Smiles (lecturer at the UFS Department of Political Science and Thuthuka grant holder), Prof Frans Swanepoel (Director: Research Development at the UFS) and Dr Carlien Pohl (lecturer at the UFS Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology and Thuthuka grant holder).
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

The guest speaker was Prof Jonathan Jansen, Dean: Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria (UP). He gave tips to young and promising researchers on how to be an outstanding scholar.
What is a Scholar

UFS honours young researchers

The University of the Free State (UFS) last night honoured 24 young researchers who are taking part in the National Research Fund’s (NRF) Thuthuka programme.

The recognition function is the first of its kind at the UFS. “The renewed focus on research development that was recently announced at the official opening of the UFS by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Frederick Fourie, is an indication of the institution’s endeavour to create an environment in which research can be improved and flourish. This can only be obtained when researchers are being valued and that is why it is important to honour our young researchers,” said Mrs Annelize Venter, researcher at the UFS Research Development Directorate and coordinator of the programme.

The focus on research was also touched on recently by President Thabo Mbeki during the opening of Parliament when he said: “We will continue to engage the leadership of our tertiary institutions focused on working with them to meet the nation’s expectations with regard to teaching and research. For its part, the government is determined to increase the resource allocation for research and development and innovation, and increase the pool of young researchers."

According to Mrs Venter, research done in 2004 shows that the majority researchers who publish are white males above the age of 50. “Many students who undertake magister studies choose not to conduct research, but rather to do a thesis and additional subjects. This means that research is not stimulated. Students also find it difficult to obtain financial support for postgraduate studies,” she explained.
“Thutuka is a capacity building programme of the NRF that is aimed to
fund and support the qualifications of women and young black scientists and other researchers who do not have a rating for postgraduate research. It is based on a funding partnership between the UFS and the NRF,” said Mrs Venter.

Last night Prof Frans Swanepoel, Director: Research Development at the UFS, added to his by saying: “With the Thuthuka programme we aim to create and sustain a research culture at the UFS, promote international research and train researchers of a high quality and enhance the research capacity at the UFS by focusing on women, black researchers and other promising researchers.”

The programme was started by the NRF in 2001. At that stage only 17 grants were made countrywide. Last year 370 postgraduate students took part in the programme.

According to Mrs Venter the programme was implemented at the UFS in 2003. “At that stage we only had 5 grant holders. This year there are 24 Ph D and magister students on the programme,” she said.

A couple of young promising researchers, who will be participating in the programme in 2007, also attended last night’s recognition function.

The guest speaker was Prof Jonathan Jansen, Dean: Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria (UP). He gave tips to young and promising researchers on how to be an outstanding scholar.

Nine professors were also congratulated with their promotion to senior research professor, namely Proff Louise Cilliers (Department of English and Classical Languages), James du Preez (Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology), Johan Grobbelaar (Department of Plant Sciences), Dingie Janse van Rensburg (Centre for Health Systems Research and Development), Dap Louw (Department of Psychology), Philip Nel (Department of Afro-asiatic Studies and Language Practice and Sign Language), Louis Scott (Department of Plant Sciences), Dirk van den Berg (Department of History of Art) and Andries Raath (Department of Constitutional Law and Philosophy of Law).

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
10 February 2006

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