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08 May 2024
Photo SUPPLIED
The Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof Paul Oberholster, has the pleasure of inviting you to the inaugural lecture of Prof Dirk Opperman.
Date: 21 May 2024
Time: 17:30
Venue: Equitas
Click here to RSVP before Wednesday, 15 May 2024. Alternatively, contact Christelle van Rooyen on +27 51 401 9190.
About Prof Dirk Opperman
Prof Dirk Opperman obtained his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of the Free State in 2008. This was followed by postdoctoral research on directed evolution with Prof Manfred T Reetz at the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research (Germany). In 2010, he was appointed in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry. He subsequently established structural biology at the UFS, and his current research focus lies at the interface of evolutionary and structure-function relationships of biocatalysts, and their application in green chemistry. He is an NRF B-rated researcher with co-authored papers in Science, Nature Communications, and Angewandte Chemie.
His research has been funded by both local and international organisations, ranging from industries such as SASOL to the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF, UK). He has a long-standing collaboration with researchers at the Delft University of Technology (TUDelft, the Netherlands) and is currently part of a European Research Area Network Cofund (ERA-NET Cofund) partnership on Food Systems and Climate (FOSC) that develops biocatalysts for upcycling waste.
Rag Queen and Mr Rag crowned at Kovsies
2015-02-18

Photos: Actual Image
The Rag Coronation Ball proved yet again to be the most glamorous night of the year on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) when the new Rag Queen and Mr Rag were announced on Friday 13 February 2015.
Carla de Bruyn and Wilmar van Niekerk, both second-year students at Kovsies, were crowned as Rag Queen and Mr Rag for 2015. De Bruyn was also named as the most photogenic female finalist.
With entertainment by V-Chord and Gerry Liberty, among other artists, as well as OFM’s Success Lekabe as the master of ceremonies, the evening kept all guests truly entertained and interested. Furthermore, the current Mrs South Africa, Sarah-Kate Scott, also graced the evening with her presence.
Overall Results
Mr Rag and Rag Queen 2015:
Wilmar van Niekerk and Carla de Bruyn
1st Prince and Princess:
Thomas Kolathu and Mia van Ransburg
2nd Prince and Princess:
Kabelo Mashabe and Chante Marais
Mr and Miss Personality:
Danzel Rademan and Chante Marais
Mr and Miss Photogenic:
Ludwig Döhne and Carla de Bruyn