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14 March 2024 | Story Kagiso Ngake | Photo SUPPLIED
Prof Petersen and Dr Thelma John David
Prof Petersen and Dr Thelma John David, the Consul General of India in Durban.

The University of the Free State (UFS) proudly welcomed Dr Thelma John David, the Consul General of India, to Durban, South Africa, on 27 February 2024. The UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Francis Petersen extended a warm reception to the distinguished guest.

Accompanied by Prem Sagar Kesarapu, Head of Chancery at the Consulate General, Dr David engaged in fruitful discussions with key figures at the UFS, including Prof Lynette Jacobs, Acting Director of the Office for International Affairs (OIA); Kagiso Ngake, responsible for the Partnerships portfolio in the OIA; Prof Hussein Solomon, Senior Professor in the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies, known for spearheading collaborative efforts across India; and Dr Jared McDonald, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal.

The meeting centred on exploring opportunities for academic exchange programmes, research partnerships, and cultural exchanges. Concrete plans were devised to enhance and fortify collaboration between the UFS, the Consulate General in Durban, and higher education institutions in India.

Expressing gratitude for the visit, Prof Petersen underscored its significance in strengthening bonds between the UFS and India. He emphasised the pivotal role of international collaborations in academia to foster diversity and global understanding.

Dr David echoed Prof Petersen's sentiments, emphasising the role of education and collaboration in building bridges between nations. She commended the UFS for its commitment to excellence in higher education and expressed enthusiasm to explore future partnerships.

UFS Fosters strong collaborative ties with Indian institutions across diverse fields

The UFS takes pride in its extensive collaboration network with various Indian universities and research institutions, spanning diverse academic disciplines. This dynamic partnership promotes knowledge exchange, research advancements, and academic growth in physics, chemistry, health sciences, and social sciences.

Notable collaborations include ongoing projects led by the UFS Veterinary Biotechnology Group with Saife VetMed (India) on potential commercial products. Another project involves collaboration with Ventri Biologicals, India’s largest poultry vaccine manufacturer, focusing on developing effective vaccines against infectious coryza.

Additionally, the Department of Pharmacology, under the expertise of Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa in Indigenous Knowledge Systems, collaborates with the SRM Institute of Science and Technology in India on traditional medicines.

For more information on current and potential collaboration with universities and research institutes in India, please contact Kagiso Ngake at ngakekm@ufs.ac.za.

News Archive

New residence planned for UFS South Campus
2015-05-14

The newly-planned residence
Illustration: Typology Architects

The South Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein has seen a great influx of students in recent years. This campus provides academic access to the UFS for deserving matriculants who do not meet the requirements for entry into mainstream degree studies through the University Preparation Programme and Extended Degree Programmes.

In addition, it also offers studies to long-distance learners. The current number of contact students – those who physically attend class at the South Campus – stands at 1 673. At the moment these students stay either on the Bloemfontein Campus or in private accommodation. This is about to change as a new residence is being built for the South Campus.

The newly-planned residence will provide two hundred and fifty beds within two main blocks – each consisting of three floors. Since the campus is located in a predominately industrial area with very few housing facilities in the area, this will fill the urgent need for accommodation.

Each floor of the residence will consist of two wings with forty beds and twenty double rooms. In addition, each floor will have separate laundry/drying and cleaners’ facility shared by both wings on that floor. Each wing will have its own ablution block, study room, communal lounge, and kitchen.

Four separate single-room flats will also be available – each sharing a lounge, kitchen, and bathroom, with a laundry facility separate from that of the main blocks.

The building project is scheduled for completion by the end of June 2016.

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