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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.
Prof. Martha Nussbaum visits Kovsies
2012-12-27
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Prof. Martha Nussbaum
Photo: Sonia Small
10 December 2012 |
The UFS community was privileged to gain insight into the brilliant mind of renowned philosopher Prof. Martha Nussbaum when she visited the Bloemfontein Campus.
Prof. Nussbaum, considered by some as one of the foremost living philosophers on the world stage, spent a week at the university interacting with staff, students and visitors from South Africa and abroad. The visit attracted huge interest, with people traveling from other parts of South Africa to hear Prof. Nussbaum speaking at public events held on the campus. International visitors attending the conference “Engaging the Other: Breaking Intergenerational Cycles of Repetition”on campus and scholars taking part in the Southern African Young Scientists Summer Program, also attended events.
Prof. Nussbaum’s first public event was on 6 December 2012 when the university honoured her with an honorary doctorate. She received a D. Litt degree for her intellectual and public contribution to human development. On 7 December 2012, she delivered a lecture on “Creating capabilities, the human development approach”. She also delivered a keynote address on the Political Role of the Arts as part of the conference on “Engaging the Other: Breaking Intergenerational Cycles of Repetition”.