Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

UFS partners with ZZ2 and launches NovaLogix

22 January 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Born2shoot

Dr Tommie van Zyl, Prof Philippe Burger and Prof Francis Petersen — At the launch of NovaLogix, a company co-owned by the UFS and ZZ2, were, from the left, Dr Tommie van Zyl, CEO of the ZZ2 Group, and Prof Philippe Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, and Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal.

The University of the Free State (UFS) recently (17 January 2024) launched NovaLogix in collaboration with ZZ2, a well-known South African fresh produce company.

This new company, co-owned by the university and ZZ2, aims to develop and produce a probiotic used in the production of fresh produce to enhance plant health and growth. Projects include a focus on improved production techniques, product registration, commercialisation, and improved recipes.

Members of the university’s management structures were present at the formal launch of NovaLogix – which took place on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus – including the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Francis Petersen; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, Prof Vasu Reddy; and the Senior Director of the Directorate Research Development, Dr Glen Taylor. The deans of the two faculties that will be mainly involved in this partnership were also present, namely Prof Paul Oberholster, the Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Prof Philippe Burger, the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

Among the attendees representing ZZ2 were Dr Tommie van Zyl, the Chief Executive Officer of the ZZ2 Group, Piet Prinsloo, Executive Manager at ZZ2, as well as Wiam Haddad, the new CEO of NovaLogix.

Co-creation and more sustainable outcomes

In his welcoming remarks, Prof Petersen stated that this event marks the culmination of a five-year journey that began in 2019 when he, Prof Burger, and Prof Danie Vermeulen, former Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, first visited ZZ2 to initiate closer collaboration and cooperation.

He is of the opinion that the relationship with ZZ2 is ideally suited to assist the university in realising the core values of Vision 130, the university’s strategic intent to reposition the institution as one of the leading universities in South Africa by 2034.

The knowledge, experience, and expertise that ZZ2 brings to the partnership, complement the exciting and impactful research done by the university’s academics across a range of disciplines. - Prof Francis Petersen

Prof Petersen said that the UFS values partnerships with the private sector, and he considers ZZ2 to be a knowledge partner with co-creation as a key component in this collaboration.

“Working together on a challenge makes the solution more sustainable. I believe that innovation and this co-creation approach will generate outcomes that transform the agricultural sector and impart knowledge to the next generation,” he stated.

“The knowledge, experience, and expertise that ZZ2 brings to the partnership complement the exciting and impactful research conducted by the university’s academics across a range of disciplines. I am looking forward to a partnership that will grow from strength to strength,” concluded Prof Petersen.

Breakthrough developments in the pipeline

According to Dr Van Zyl, ZZ2 would like to continue building a future with the university based on a symbiotic relationship. “We want to ensure that our strengths as an organisation are put to good use,” he said, expressing a strong conviction that there will be breakthrough developments with this initiative.

This work will align with ZZ2’s ‘Work with nature’ journey that began more than two decades ago, steering away from conventional, industrial agriculture towards a system that aims to farm in harmony with nature. “It is important that we nurture nature while using her resources,” he said.

He is excited to work with the university, exploring improved techniques and technologies to find more effective ways towards a sustainable future. “Knowledge partners are important in this journey,” he stated.

Building on existing collaborations

In September 2022, the university entered into a collaboration agreement with ZZ2. The partnership between the two entities included the establishment of FreeFarm Innovation, a company that in turn has a holding in NovaLogix and is designed to leverage the strengths, capabilities, skills, and resources of both parties. Part of the operations of FreeFarm Innovation included opportunities for research, commercialisation, and the enhancement of agricultural products. This has come into effect in projects on, for example, business operations, agricultural sustainability, and innovative approaches to growing fruit and vegetables, to name but a few.

News Archive

UFS receives R10 million in student funding from Absa

2017-06-19

Description: UFS receives R10 million in student funding from Absa Tags: UFS receives R10 million in student funding from Absa

From the left: Asive Dlanjwa (UFS SRC) Prof Francis Petersen, Fikemini Dlamini,
Bertie Smith and Lesley Afrika (student beneficiary 2016-2017)

In support of building a more equitable and prosperous Africa, and in response to the plight of students who lack financial aid at universities across the country, Absa Bank handed over a cheque of R10 million to the University of the Free State (UFS) at a ceremony held on the Bloemfontein Campus on 13 June 2017 by the office of Institutional Advancement. The allocation of these funds will assist students who meet the bursary programme criteria (proven financial need, students who are from households with a combined income of less than R1 million per annum, with an academic average of 55% or higher).

Corporate and higher education collaborate
Speaking at the event, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS Prof Francis Petersen highlighted the important role corporates play in collaborating with educational institutions to help support future professionals who are the future builders of the economy and will later lead industry. “Absa and the UFS enjoy a good relationship and it is our hope that this bursary programme will grow from strength to strength,” he said.

In 2016 alone, Absa Bank disbursed R12 million towards settling outstanding fees for 439 students in four faculties of the UFS. In 2017 the funds will be allocated similarly to cover financial needs of qualifying students. Mr Bertie Smith, Absa Management Executive: Central Region said: “The university plays an important role in building future leaders and Absa’s strategy of shared growth supports the focus on education.”

Responding to a greater socioeconomic need
The event was attended by staff of the UFS and delegates from the Absa group, as well as students who were beneficiaries of the Absa Bursary Fund in 2016. Mr Fikemini Dlamini, Absa Head: Public Sector Business Banking, said the bursary programme was born out of the growing need to fund and develop the education of young people, and is a response to the outcry from students across the country in the “Fees Must Fall” movement. He said: “Educating one young person has a knock-on effect that has the potential to alleviate poverty in many families and communities around us.”

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept