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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.
Qwaqwa Campus honours academic excellence
2014-05-21
Photo: Sonia Small (Kaleidoscope Studios)
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Our Qwaqwa Campus was this past weekend a hive of activity when graduates, their parents and well-wishers descended on the campus to honour outstanding academic excellence during the Winter Graduation ceremonies.
On Friday graduates from the Faculty of Humanities, as well as the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, were addressed by Tommy Makhatho, Managing Director of the Qwaqwa-based Bibi Cash and Carry.
Makhatho urged graduates to continue working hard way beyond their graduation day and to dream big.
“Dream big and don’t let your poor background hold you back,” Makhatho said.
“Don’t let people say you can’t or that you will fail. Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life, think of it, dream of it, live on that idea, let your brain, muscle, nerves and every part of your body be full of that idea and leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success. If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs,” said Makhatho, the winner of the 2013 Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year and Job Creator of the Year awards.
On Saturday, graduates were treated to yet another moving message by eNCA’s news anchor, Mabale Moloi, herself a graduate in Biological sciences.
“If there is one ability that we should all practice on a daily basis, it is work ethics. This is a value based on hard work and diligence,” Moloi said.
Moloi further shared her views on what makes excellent work ethics.
“There are five very important factors of work ethics that we all need to be aware of. One of them is reliability. This means how committed you are to completing a task that is given to you within a particular period of time,” said Moloi.
“The second one is dedication. This means how prepared you are to go the extra mile in completing a job or your studies. Thirdly, one’s level of productivity is very important in having an excellent work ethic. This refers to giving the best of yourself, even to the extent of surpassing what is expected of you.”
“Fourthly, there is co-operation. We all must understand the value of team work and how it leads to success. And this, when paired with character, self-discipline and strong personality, will distinguish you from anyone else,” Moloi added.
Among the more than 800 degrees, diplomas and certificates conferred, were three PhDs in Physics, Polymer Science and Zoology, respectively. Four Masters of Science degrees were conferred cum laude.