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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.
New wheels for students with disabilities
2012-06-06
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First Car Rental donated two vehicles to our Unit for Students with Disabilities to meet their transport needs. The minibus will later on be converted to meet the specific transport needs of students with disabilities. From the left are Mr Mokgethi Tshabalala, Executive Head of Thebe Foundation, Mrs Hetsie Veitch, Head of the USD and Mr Bruce Barritt, Managing Director of First Car Rental.
Photo: René-Jean der Berg
06 June 2012
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Transport problems of students at our Unit for Students with Disabilities (USD) are now something of the past.
The USD received two brand-new vehicles from First Car Rental, a vehicle rental company, for the transportation of students with disabilities.
“The vehicles are especially useful to transport students of the unit to and from classes and examinations between the two campuses in Bloemfontein. It also helps us to transport students should they have doctors’ appointments or to perhaps have their physical aids serviced,” says Mrs Martie Marina, senior officer at the Unit for Students with Disabilities.
The two vehicles consist of a passenger vehicle and a minibus. The minibus will later on be converted to meet the specific needs of the students.