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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.
Kovsies show Madiba their love
2013-07-15
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Showing love to Madiba: Our Kovsie delegation outside the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria
Photo: Jerry Mokoroane |
Staff and students from our Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses travelled to the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria to wish former president Nelson Mandela well and to show their support to his family. Paying their respects to Madiba, who has been in hospital for over a month, the Kovsies held a prayer service outside the hospital and shared stories of the impact the icon had on their lives. The delegation was led by Mr Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs, who told visitors and media at the hospital that the Kovsies travelled to the hospital to thank Madiba and to show that the university is committed to reconciliation after the Reitz incident. "We are here to show our respect and to honour him for what he has given to this country. We are also here to show that we are committed to reconciliation and that we remain committed to change," said Buys.
The delegation also visited Madiba’s old house in Vilakazi Street in Soweto.