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25 March 2024
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Lutendo Mabata
Prof Nompumelelo Zondi, the newly appointed Vice-Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of The Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS).
Prof Nompumelelo Zondi has been appointed as Vice-Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of The Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS). Prof Zondi assumed this new role on 1 March 2024 after serving as the Head of Department for African Languages at the University of Pretoria for seven years. “I consider this appointment as an opportunity of growth and learning more about higher education and the Faculty of The Humanities at large,” she said.
Prof Zondi indicates that part of her role is to spearhead the UFS Vision130 within the Faculty of The Humanities, and to ensure that the faculty assists the institution in becoming research-led, student-centred, and globally impactful.
Motivation for assuming this role
One of the primary reasons that led her to consider this role is sharing the knowledge she acquired as part of the Fulbright South African Research Scholar Programme. As a result of that experience and exposure, which went beyond the Ohio State University, she felt it befitting to implement some of the insights she acquired on a bigger scale. Therefore, even though she was impactful in her previous role, Prof Zondi believes that this is an exceptional and more desirable platform to do so. “I feel that I will have easier access to departments within the faculty, while also encouraging and supporting interdepartmental and faculty collaborations,” she explained.
A significant component of Vision 130
He believes that the elements that make up Vision 130 are interrelated. While she considers research central to Vision 130 – as she begins her journey at the UFS, she feels students deserve to be nurtured to further contribute to the university’s impactful research. Thus, student-centredness is the way to go. “I believe that students must be major role players in this Vision130; we must include them in the interactions and discussions that are part of the university’s strategic plan as well as in decision-making processes,” she said. As such, according to Prof Zondi, the more the faculty and the institution care for the students and involve them in Vision130 and in collaborations, the more research outputs the university will achieve.
Kovsie Rugby best in town
2009-06-24
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| Photo: Volksblad |
The Shimlas and the Irawas, the first and second rugby teams of the University of the Free State (UFS), recently played in the final of the Bloemfontein city cup. According to Mr Dougie Heymans, Kovsie Rugby Manager and assistant couch of the Shimlas, it was a tough match and the Shimlas won 42-17. The last time that the Shimlas and Irawas played against each other was in 2004. On this day, against all expectations, the Irawas won the “Stadsbeker”.
The UFS’s U/21 team also played against the UFS third team, the Ritsims, in the final of the second league and won 22-14. It was the first time in history that the Ritsems played in the final of the Second League in the City League, and that against the UFS’s U/21 team.
All four the teams who competed in the final for the “Stadsbeker” and Second League of the “Stadsbeker”, are from the UFS’s Rugby Club.
The UFS will also for the first time since 2006 have a team in the national club championships.
The Shimlas are participating at the Universities Sport South Africa (USSA) rugby tournament that is currently being presented at the University of Johannesburg.
“We at Kovsie Rugby are proud of our teams, our couches and support staff,” said Mr Heymans.