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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.
UFS gives clarity on disciplinary action against students
2008-03-04
There seems to be some uncertainty about the course of the internal disciplinary steps the University of the Free State (UFS) is now taking against two current students in connection with the production of an extremely offensive and racist video which came to light last week.
Here is an explanation of the disciplinary steps:
The university’s legal representatives yesterday informed the student’s legal representatives that they are in the process of compiling a charge sheet against the two students. This was done in writing and no meetings took place between the lawyers.
The university’s legal representatives are in the process of compiling a charge sheet. When this charge sheet is finalised, it will be made available to the students’ legal representatives.
The Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof. Frederick Fourie, is in the process of appointing a disciplinary committee.
Once the charge sheet has reached the students’ legal representatives, a date for the hearing will be arranged.
The criminal charges against the four students will be dealt with by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Enquiries can also be directed to:
Lacea Loader Mangaliso Radebe
Tel: 051 401 2584 Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 083 645 2454 Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za
Media Release
Issued by: Mr Anton Fisher
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 3422
Cell: 072 207 8334
E-mail: fishera.stg@ufs.ac.za
4 March 2008