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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.
History book available from UFS Marketing
2007-02-01
The university’s history book, "From Grey to Gold", is available from UFS Marketing.
The book will soon be delivered to persons who have ordered copies of the book. UFS Marketing is in the process of distributing the books.
However, persons are also welcome to collect the book from Rinda Duraan or Ronél Meyer at the offices of UFS Marketing in the Wekkie Saayman Building.
Additional copies in Afrikaans or English are also available from UFS Marketing at R380 per copy. Please contact Ronél Meyer at X2150 or Rinda Duraan at X2143 for inquiries.
A proud 100 years
The history of the University of the Free State is one of faith, hope, struggle and determination. In the course of a century, and from a poor Free State community, the UFS has developed into a strong and mature university. This book, richly illustrated with photographs, tells its fascinating story, including:
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Its establishment
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The role of the founding fathers
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Black pioneers of transformation
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The establishment and development of academic departments and faculties; student numbers
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Pioneers and trends in research; academic entrepreneurs
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Campus issues; campus politics
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The UFS’s place in socio-political changes
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Student life: Rag, intervarsity and cheerleaders; sport and Springboks; hostel traditions
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The admission of black students; anguish about race, language and culture
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The story of “digs” and hostels, of Tin Town and the “Vlei”, Darkest Africa and the Red Square
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The development of the campus, of the Tickey and the Banana
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Of hardships in the founding years, good times and turn-around strategies
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Community service and regional involvement and a new focus on the African continent.
Some interesting reading:
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More than 500 pages
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Hundreds of photographs
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Appendices on office-bearers; awards and achievements (including national sporting colours)
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A time-line situating the UFS’s history in the context of the history of the Free State, of South Africa and of the world