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17 October 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied
Prof Tameshnie Deane
Prof Tameshnie Deane, Vice-Dean: Research, Postgraduate Studies and Internationalisation in the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS).

The Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS) has appointed Prof Tameshnie Deane as Vice-Dean: Research, Postgraduate Studies and Internationalisation. Prof Deane officially assumed this role on 1 July 2024, following over two decades as a Professor and Head of the Criminal Law Unit at the University of South Africa (UNISA).

Prof Deane, who has approached this new position with great enthusiasm, describes it as a significant opportunity. ‘’This role allows me to influence the future of academic research and postgraduate education at UFS,’’ she said.

Support for postgraduate students

Prof Deane elaborated on her vision, saying, “My aim is to develop and implement strategies that elevate the quality and impact of research, foster innovation, and support postgraduate students in achieving their academic and professional goals.”

Among her top priorities is strengthening support for postgraduate students at the UFS. “I plan to introduce comprehensive mentorship programmes where experienced faculty members guide students through their academic and research journeys. We will offer training in key skills such as legal writing, research methodologies, and public speaking, while also prioritising initiatives to support their mental and emotional well-being,’’ she explained.

Prof Deane emphasised that creating a dynamic and supportive environment will contribute to academic excellence and personal growth for postgraduate students at the UFS.

Enhancing internationalisation and strategic collaborations

Prof Deane is also committed to advancing the internationalisation of the Faculty of Law.  “We aim to provide opportunities for international collaboration and exchange, which will broaden the scope and impact of our research and postgraduate programmes,’’ she said.

Improving research quality and output remains a core objective, with Prof Deane identifying this as central to her new role.

One of the initiatives Prof Deane is eager to lead is the development of strategic partnerships with industry and academic institutions. “Collaborations like these will provide invaluable resources for research projects,” she noted.

To foster these partnerships, Prof Deane plans to leverage technology to strengthen communication and collaboration, support relationship-building events, and promote interdisciplinary projects that encourage diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. 

News Archive

Researchers receive study grant for research into Congo Fever
2015-03-10

UFS researchers will be contributing significantly to the search for a vaccine against the deadly tick-borne disease known as Congo Fever.

Prof Felicity Burt from the Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology was recently awarded a research grant by the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) to study candidate vaccines for Crimean-Congo heamorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus and other arboviruses.

Arboviruses are viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, or other arthropods.

Prof Burt is an internationally-recognised expert on the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). The Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is a tick-borne virus that is associated with severe haemorrhagic disease in South Africa and other parts of Africa, Asia, and eastern Europe. Her interests focus on medically significant viruses that are transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes. Her research group is involved in determining the immune responses that are induced by different viral proteins.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus, a tick- borne virus found in Africa, Asia, the Balkans, and eastern Europe, causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks.

Although a number of tick species are capable of becoming infected with CCHF virus, ticks of the genus Hyalomma, commonly referred to in SA as the “bont-legged ticks”, are the principal vector. The ticks have distinctive brown and white bands on their legs.

In February 1981, the first case of CCHF was recognised in South Africa (SA). To date, there have been nearly 200 cases of CCHF infection in SA with a 20% fatality rate. The majority of cases occurring in SA were in patients from the Northern Cape and Free State provinces.

“The funding that has been awarded will be used to profile immune responses against CCHF viral proteins, and investigate mechanisms and strategies to enhance these immune responses. We hope that the study will contribute knowledge towards the development of a vaccine against this medically significant virus.”

For more information or enquiries contact news@ufs.ac.za.

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