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01 February 2024
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Prof Prince Ngobeni, newly appointed Campus Principal of the UFS Qwaqwa Campus.
The University of the Free State (UFS) has appointed Prof Prince Ngobeni as Principal of the Qwaqwa Campus as from 1 February 2024.
Prof Ngobeni completed his first qualification in Analytical Chemistry at the then Technikon North-West before furthering his studies at the then Technikon Pretoria. He completed a DTech in Chemistry at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in 2003. In 2016, he enrolled for a Doctor of Business Administration in Higher Education at the University of Bath in England.
His lecturing career began at TUT in 1995 where he progressed from Head of Department: Chemistry in 2003 to Associate Dean: Faculty of Science in 2010, before being appointed as Executive Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at TUT in 2015 – a position he held until 2023. He also served as Interim Campus Rector of TUT’s Pretoria Campus from 2018 to 2020.
“With extensive years of academic leadership experience, Prof Ngobeni has the experience required to guide the Qwaqwa Campus towards the university’s Vision 130. The campus is already recognised as a leader in some of its unique research fields, and Prof Ngobeni’s strong research background will be valuable in this regard,” says Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS.
Prof Ngobeni is a member of several professional bodies in his field of expertise, including MatTEK at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the South African Chemical Institute (SACI), the Society for Atomic Spectroscopy, and the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). During his career, he has also secured research funding for individual projects and international partnerships. Prof Ngobeni also initiated chemistry practical sessions for local schools and participated in the Technology Station in Chemicals project, which offers a wide range of services designed to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the chemical sector.
His substantial list of publications in journals and books covers a range of chemistry-related and managerial topics. He is also a well-versed presenter at local and international conferences.
“The Qwaqwa Campus has experienced major developments in recent years; I look forward to further contributing to the growth of the campus and to support the university in achieving its Vision 130,” says Prof Ngobeni.
Rag farm a hive of activity
2014-01-28
Photo: Jerry Mokoroane
Residences putting final touches to their floats for Rag procession on 1 February
The Bloemfontein Campus has been a hive of activity, with students building floats ahead of the annual Rag procession on Saturday 1 February 2014. A palpable excitement hangs in the air at the Kovsie Ragfarm, where first-year and senior students are gathering to put the final touches to their residences’ floats. Residences’ hard work will culminate in a parade through the streets of Bloemfontein.
It is to be seen which residences’ floats fit the theme ‘Movies’ best to be crowned winners. Like 2013's winners – Karee, Soetdoring and Imperium – the winning residences will have a coveted front-row spot along the procession route.
Floats will depart at 09:00 for the first procession of the day, which end at Twin City Mall in Heidedal.
The float winners will be announced at 17:00, whereafter the main procession of the day will depart from the Tempe robot in Nelson Mandela Drive at 18:00.