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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.
Young dynamic lawyer in the Mail and Guardian Top 200
2016-06-27
Adv Loyiso Makapela
Photo: Stephen Collett
Each year the Mail and Guardian produces a special report on that year’s top 200 young South Africans who inspire, have talent, and drive. This year, we celebrate one of our own, Adv Loyiso Makapela, who has been nominated as one of the top 200 Mail and Guardian Young Achievers of 2016 under the category of Education. Loyiso is an outstanding academic, lecturer and mentor. At age 27, she is the youngest lecturer in the Faculty of Law.
With two Master’s degrees under her belt, she has been awarded the Desmond Tutu Doctoral scholarship by the National Research Foundation and will commence her PhD at both the University of Stellenbosch and Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam July 2016. With a keen focus on research, she has presented papers and chaired sessions at various conferences locally and internationally in, for example, the United Arab Emirates and Greece, and in Oxford, England.
“The fact that I was nominated under the category ‘Education’ is undoubtedly one of my proudest achievements to date, because there is nothing I am more passionate about and love than the education of young South Africans, particularly women. This is only the beginning, and I hope my story and accomplishments will inspire others to walk out in determined pursuit of their goals and dreams,” said Loyiso.
She is in the final stages of launching a lifestyle website that aims to engage young and ambitious South African women, titled “Young Women of Power”. Through this platform, Loyiso hopes to bring together influential women in business and politics, to empower and enlighten younger women.
The Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans have, over the years, positioned themselves as leaders in their fields and gained local and international acclaim. The selected 200 will be announced later this month.