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EMS research symposium: embracing Vision130

17 May 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Sanchay Kalicharan

EMS research symposium 2024 — Pictured at the research symposium from left to right: Cornelle Scheltema-Van Wyk, Deputy Director at the Library and Information Services at UFS; Prof Lochner Marais, Professor at the Centre for Development Support at UFS; Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Vice-Dean: Research, Engagement and Internationalisation in the EMS faculty at UFS; Prof Nicolene Barkhuizen, Director of the Business School at UFS; Prof Betty Mubangizi, Professor from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal; and Prof Phillipe Burger, Dean of the EMS faculty at UFS.

The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted a transformative research career development symposium on 24 April 2024 and 3 May 2024 at the UFS Business School, on the Bloemfontein Campus. Themed “Building the Next Generation of Researchers and Academics: developing a Body of Work within a Niche Area and Publishing in Quality Journals,” the symposium provided a pivotal platform for scholarly growth and strategic planning.

In his opening address, Prof Philippe Burger, the Dean of the EMS faculty, underscored the significance of the event, stating, “We need to be scholars who can be contacted from outside and be ambitious to be known for something; this symposium would give our staff that opportunity.”

Symposium highlights

Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Vice-Dean of Research, Engagement and Internationalisation in the EMS faculty, elucidated the symposium’s objectives, highlighting its role in fostering career development, equipping lecturers with practical insights, and fostering proactive career management. Distinguished guests from institutions nationwide graced the symposium with their expertise.

The first session, tailored for the School of Accountancy, featured luminaries in the accounting field such as Prof Elmar Venter from the University of Pretoria (UP) and Professor Belinda Le Clerq from the University of South Africa (UNISA). The subsequent session catered to lecturers and senior lecturers across the faculty, featuring presentations from esteemed academics like Prof Mercy Mpinganjira from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Prof Sebastian (Ian) Rothmann from the North-West University (NWU), and Prof Betty Mubangizi from the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN). Internal speakers, including Prof Burger, Prof Lochner Marais from the Centre for Development Support (CDS) at the UFS, and Prof Nicolene Barkhuizen, Director of the Business School at the UFS, also shared insights.

Symposium value and alignment with Vision 130

Prof Neneh stressed the symposium’s alignment with Vision130. She said, ‘’Hosting this symposium demonstrates the faculty’s commitment to nurturing a research-led faculty that not only addresses local and regional problems but aligns with international standards. Prof Neneh noted that the engagement offered an invaluable opportunity for academic staff to deepen their understanding of research niche areas, the significance of publishing in high-impact journals, and the cultivation of sustainable research networks.

Throughout the symposium, presenters covered a diverse array of topics, including identifying and refining niche research areas, best practices for conducting high-impact research, overcoming publishing challenges, and strategies for enhancing visibility and citation impact.

News Archive

UFS's international advisory board holds first meeting

2009-11-28

Members of the International Advisory Board of the UFS in discussion with Prof. Dennis Francis (right), who is appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Education from the beginning of 2010. With him are Prof. Alice Pell from Cornell University in the USA and Dr Uri Ofir from Evalnet in Switzerland.
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar

The International Advisory Board of the University of the Free State (UFS) had its first meeting on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein this week. It coincided with the launch of the six research clusters of the UFS.

Prof. Aldo Stroebel, Director: Internationalisation at the UFS, says internationalisation is a strategic priority to reach the University’s strategic goals. Internationalisation will bring a global awareness at all levels and will serve as a co-shaping factor and an instrument to produce well-rounded, internationally competent staff and students. It will also be an instrument to promote diversity, advance the UFS’s international standing and initiate and promote international collaborative research.

The advisory board will advise and guide the UFS leadership in the internationalisation process. He said the board would provide strategic guidance to the internationalisation efforts of the UFS and bring cutting-edge expertise to bear on the internationalisation policies, strategies and action plans of the institution.

Its members will help ensure that the University leadership is aware of relevant international trends and opportunities, and the board will use their experience to advise on appropriate actions. They will also act as advocates for the University in their own spheres of influence.

The board consists of Dr Jane Knight of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada; Prof. Alice Pell of the Cornell University, USA; Prof. Masafumi Nagao of the International Christian University, Japan; Dr Khotso Mokhele of Impala Platinum Holdings, South Africa; Prof. Joseph Stetar of the Seton Hall University, USA; and Dr Uri Ofir of Evalnet, Switzerland. Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, is the Chairperson of the board.

Prof. Stroebel says the UFS is honoured to have people of international standing and who are highly regarded in various fields on the board to guide the institution in its internationalisation endeavours.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Deputy Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
27 November 2009

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