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UFS delegation visits BUAN to strengthen ties in research and education

05 November 2024 | Story Jacky Tshokwe | Photo Supplied

BUAN Delegates — Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) delegates that recently visited the University of the Free State to solidify a collaboration.

During an inspiring journey, a delegation from the University of the Free State (UFS) recently visited the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) with an ambitious goal: to solidify a collaboration that was sparked during the visit of BUAN’s Vice-Chancellor to the UFS and subsequent discussions in Namibia. The atmosphere was one of shared purpose and excitement as the UFS representatives, led by the Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, the Vice-Dean: Agriculture, and the Vice-Dean: Postgraduate and Research, embarked on this significant academic endeavour.

This visit was not just a formal gesture, it was a step towards tangible, mutual benefits for students and staff of both institutions. The discussions between the UFS and the BUAN leadership, which centred around possibilities for student and staff exchanges and shared access to specialised equipment, pointed to the potential of creating a dynamic bridge between South African and Botswana academia. This partnership envisions collaborative supervision of postgraduate students, creating opportunities for intellectual growth that transcends borders. The two universities also explored joint funding applications and research avenues, with particular interest in BUAN’s innovative Meat Institute and AgroVolts solar panel project. Seeing the BUAN’s progress in renewable energy left the UFS team particularly impressed, reflecting the possibilities for sustainable development and resource-sharing that a partnership could yield.

During the discussions, the UFS delegation had a pivotal meeting with the BUAN’s Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Research, Prof Samodimo Ngwako, who had previously visited the UFS. His familiarity with the UFS’ resources and vision made him an invaluable advocate for bridging the two institutions, highlighting how their strengths could complement each other. Prof Ngwako’s insights helped BUAN staff visualise the meaningful exchange of expertise and resources that could benefit both student bodies and contribute to third-stream income generation.

With the way forward clear, both the UFS and BUAN teams agreed on ‘quick steps’ to launch the collaboration – the swift signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), followed by the first exchange of students and staff, and the launch of co-supervised research projects. While specific timelines and milestones are to be confirmed post-MoU, both teams are keen on joint funding applications, especially in areas relevant to agricultural and natural resources both within Africa and beyond. This partnership, once formalised, is expected to solidify both universities as leading research hubs in agriculture and natural resources, advancing each institution’s standing on the continent.

Reflecting on the visit, the UFS delegation felt a deep sense of optimism. The collaboration between the UFS and the BUAN aligns seamlessly with the UFS’ broader vision for strengthening ties with African universities, showcasing a forward-thinking approach to partnerships. As the journey towards meaningful collaboration progresses, the shared enthusiasm witnessed at the BUAN serves as a hopeful reminder that academia – when united by common goals – can drive impactful change for students, faculty, and communities on both sides of the border.

News Archive

UFS establishes a Postgraduate office

2007-07-18

The University of the Free State (UFS) will establish a postgraduate office that will serve as a one-stop service for the co-ordination of academic support services for postgraduate students.

According to the Director: Research Development at the UFS, Prof Frans Swanepoel, the primary purpose of the Postgraduate Office is to provide co-ordination and support services for postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows, as well as academic staff across the University.

“Guided by values such as intellectual inquiry, innovation, collegiality, integrity and efficiency, the Postgraduate Office will seek to foster a challenging, inclusive and supportive environment for postgraduate teaching, learning, research and scholarship; and will strive to engage students in the vibrant life of a research university”, Prof Swanepoel said.

All sectors of the University, namely students, faculties and staff, stand to benefit from the establishment of this office. Amongst other benefits for these sectors, postgraduate students and postdoctoral research fellows will have their interests promoted in synergy with faculty and departmental facilities. On the other hand, the office will provide a critical resource to the faculties in the form of a single database of postgraduate students, postgraduate topics, supervisors and funding opportunities. Furthermore, it will serve as a useful resource and base for training and information for younger and less experienced staff members.

The establishment of this office will be undertaken in two phases. The first phase will focus on the most critical areas that will make an immediate impact and the second phase on those areas that are not as urgent.

Areas that will be prioritised include the appointment of a manager and co-ordination of stakeholders, the provision of information and communication, useful resources for the UFS, policy administration and monitoring, postgraduate supervisors’ facilitation, recruitment activities, advice and referral, and postgraduate scholarship and bursary management.

The less urgent components of the office will be the development and implementation of academic and professional support programmes, the formation of a research information commons to create an integrated learning environment for postgraduate students, and the development of a postgraduate association or a postgraduate students’ liaison committee to provide a recognised channel of communication between postgraduate students and the University authorities.

The Postgraduate Office will form a vital component of the Directorate Research Development (DRD) at the UFS because of its experience and a noteworthy track record with regard to a facilitative and co-ordinating role that would be essential for the office.

“Establishing the Postgraduate Office as part of the Directorate would give the Centre the necessary links to the research-related issues that are important to most of the postgraduate students at the UFS. Of essential importance will be the linkages with the full spectrum of Strategic Clusters”, Prof Swanepoel explained.

“An important component of the Postgraduate Office will be related to international students and international opportunities for UFS postgraduate students. As the Office for Internationalisation has similarly been placed within the Directorate, the work of the Postgraduate Office will be facilitated by similar placement within the same Directorate”, he concluded.

Media release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@mail.ufs.ac.za
18 July 2007

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