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31 May 2024 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Kaleidoscope Studios
Prof Francis Petersen
Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State (UFS).

The Council of the University of Pretoria (UP) has approved the appointment of Prof Francis Petersen as Vice-Chancellor and Principal as from 1 October 2024.

Prof Petersen has been Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State (UFS) since 1 April 2017, and has been reappointed in the position by the Council for a second five-year term as from 31 March 2022.

“Prof Petersen’s tenure at the UFS was characterised by remarkable leadership, and the Council has great appreciation for the work he has done as well as for the university’s achievements under his leadership. Excellence, inclusivity, innovation, academic freedom, a particular focus and emphasis on critical enquiry, social responsiveness, and integrity were the value characteristics through which Prof Petersen led as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS. He led the university through challenging and complex times – not only for the institution, but also for the higher education sector – with a primary focus on and commitment to stakeholder engagement. He brought stability for the university and placed great emphasis on the institution’s visibility and its impact on society.”

“On behalf of the Council and the entire university community, I thank and commend Prof Petersen for his dedicated leadership and wish him all the best in his new role as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria,” says Mr David Noko, Chairperson of the UFS Council.

“Serving as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State has been one of the greatest honours of my career, and I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved together over the past seven years. During my tenure, I have been blessed to work with and meet exceptional staff, students, and other stakeholders from one of the greatest universities in the country in an effort to further advance the UFS nationally and internationally. As I step down, I am grateful for the support and collaboration I have received from our university community, and I am confident that the university is well positioned for continued growth and success,” says Prof Petersen.

The UFS Council will appoint an acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal to serve in this position as from 1 October 2024 until a new incumbent is appointed. This announcement will be made as soon as possible.

News Archive

Inaugural lecture focuses on intercultural communication
2005-03-15

Prof Johann de Wet, chairperson of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Department of Communication and Information Studies, will deliver his inaugural lecture on Wednesday 16 March 2005 at 19:00 in the CR Swart Auditorium on campus.

The topic of the presentation is Meeting on the “narrow ridge” in intercultural communication.

Prof de Wet obtained the BA degree in 1977 at from the University of Cape Town, in 1982 an honors degree cum laude in Journalism from the University of  Stellenbosch, in 1985 an MA degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and in 1987 the D Litt Et Phil, also from UNISA.

His earlier professional life included being a diplomat stationed in Washington DC, and a SABC journalist.

Prof de Wet’s first stint in the academe was at UNISA (1983-1993) and the UFS (1993-1995).  He was an associate professor at both institutions.  Before returning to the UFS in 2001, Prof de Wet was director of communication in the public service, ministerial spokesperson at national and provincial levels, contributing editor of the Cape Argus, and communication consultant for various public and private sector institutions.

In his academic career of 16 years, Prof de Wet has authored/edited 12 scholarly books.  His other research outputs include some 20 accredited articles and scientific papers (national and international) respectively.  Much of his research has focused on persuasive and political communication, journalism and general communication theory. 

He is the founding and current editor of Communitas, a nationally-accredited academic journal on community communication and information impact.  He was appointed professor and chairperson of the Department of Communication and Information Studies at the UFS in January 2004.

MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
15 March 2005

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