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Prof Marlize Rabe appointed as Vice-Dean of Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of The Humanities

16 May 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Lutendo Mabata

The University of the Free State (UFS) proudly announces the appointment of Prof Marlize Rabe as Vice-Dean of Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of The Humanities. Commencing her tenure on 1 April 2024, Prof Rabe brings a wealth of experience and a vision for advancing pedagogical excellence within the academic community.

Reflecting on her new role, Prof Rabe expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Being part of this esteemed faculty is an exciting prospect. I hope to add value through this appointment by working with lecturers and students on various levels.”

Previously serving as Head of the Sociology Department at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Prof Rabe’s academic journey positions her uniquely to navigate the responsibilities of her new portfolio, drawing from her extensive experience in undergraduate and postgraduate education.

What this new role entails

The scope of Prof Rabe’s role encompasses multifaceted aspects, including management and administration. She elaborates,’’In many instances, this position offers an opportunity to identify common ground and foster collaborations, thus facilitating the growth of all stakeholders involved.” Such collaborations, she emphasises, are pivotal in propelling the faculty towards innovation and pioneering approaches to teaching and learning.

What to expect in the near future

Looking ahead, Prof Rabe outlines forthcoming initiatives aimed at enhancing the academic landscape. Notably, a colloquium scheduled for the second semester will explore the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in assessments, ensuring relevance and accessibility for both educators and students. As it is, a dedicated task team within the faculty is poised to spearhead these transformative endeavours.

Furthermore, Prof Rabe wants to focus on quality assurance in the faculty. ‘’We must be accountable to our students to maintain the highest standards of education,” she asserts, underscoring the imperative of continual evaluation and benchmarking against global best practices.

In celebration of Prof Rabe’s appointment, the University of the Free State extends its warmest congratulations, anticipating a future marked by innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence under her leadership.

News Archive

Access meets quality in UFS-Varsity College partnership for law degree

2012-07-30

At the event were, from the left: Mr Frank Thompson, CEO of ADvTECH, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, and Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UFS.
Photo: Johan Roux
30 July 2012

The University of the Free State (UFS) and Varsity College this week officially launched a partnership whereby the university’s Faculty of Law will offer a four-year Bachelor of Law qualification through the UFS School of Open Learning on eight Varsity College campuses nationwide. This new degree will be offered as early as 2013.

This is the fulfilment of a dream, said Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the university. He was one of the speakers at the event that was attended by staff members and management from the, Faculty of Law, the university’s South Campus, Varsity College and ADvTECH.

The UFS Faculty of Law is one of the oldest and most distinguished faculties of law in South Africa, and has a close association with several overseas universities which ensures that the institution is internationally recognised.

“I am very positive and enthusiastic about this new partnership. We want to make this an enriching experience for staff and students from both the university as well as Varsity College,” Prof. Henning said.

The CEO of ADvTECH, Mr Frank Thompson, said he is overjoyed about the project and its potential. Varsity College is a brand of the ADvTECH Group, a JSE listed company invested in human capital.

“This is a new beginning for Varsity College and the UFS. Learning together, the slogan for this project, is very appropriate. We are excited to add new students to the university and Varsity College’s line-up,” Mr Thompson said.

Varsity College is part of the Independent Institute of Education (IIE), the leading provider of private higher education in South Africa. According to Dr Felicity Coughlan, Director of the IIE, the partnership between the IIE and the university is an example of the potential that is inherent in public-private partnerships to increase the range of high quality options available to students.

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, who also was one of the speakers at this event, said with this partnership, students will get the best of both worlds in accessing higher education.

The Faculty of Law will ensure that students obtain both a thorough grounding in legal theory, as well as a solid practical foundation, and Varsity College, through a strong commitment to innovative teaching and learning, will empower more students to become legal graduates of the highest calibre. Thus, the innovative partnership between the UFS and Varsity College will produce a Bachelor of Law degree that is highly sought after in the legal profession.

This partnership is the first of its kind, paving the way for increased collaboration between public and private tertiary institutions to best serve the education sector and the future of graduates.

“This is what is possible when two dynamic partners like the university and Varsity College come together,” Prof. Jansen said.

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