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04 October 2024 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo Supplied
International Young Scholars Conference 2024
International Young Scholars Conference.

The University of the Free State (UFS) continues to advance its global academic collaborations, as evidenced by the recent keynote address delivered by Prof Hussein Solomon at the prestigious International Young Scholars Conference at Jawaharlal Nehru University on 3 October 2024. In addition to his keynote, Professor Solomon presented a thought-provoking lecture titled "India’s Contribution in Ensuring Africa’s Security" at Jamia Millia Islamia on 4 October 2024, highlighting India’s significant role in the African security landscape.

Throughout his visit to India, Prof Solomon actively participated in multiple conferences at various universities and institutions, reinforcing the importance of academic dialogue between the two regions. His engagements reflect UFS’s unwavering commitment to fostering international knowledge exchange and collaborative partnerships.

A notable outcome of this visit is the pending finalisation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Delhi University. This agreement aims to expand the current partnership with Jawaharlal Nehru University from a faculty-level agreement to a comprehensive, institution-wide collaboration across multiple disciplines beyond the humanities. This development will facilitate joint research initiatives, collaborative PhD supervision, and joint funding proposals, marking a significant step forward for both institutions.

Reflecting on the potential of these partnerships, Prof Solomon remarked, “The Indian academic landscape is incredibly dynamic. With India poised to become the world’s largest economy by 2050, strengthening ties with Indian institutions provides the UFS with immense strategic opportunities.”

Prof Solomon’s academic contributions extend beyond administrative agreements. He is co-editing a forthcoming book on BRICS and climate change with Prof Bashabi Gupta from the Department of Geography at Delhi University. This work aligns with the upcoming BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, later this month. Moreover, plans are underway for a second volume, as well as a new book focused on feminist decoloniality from African and Asian perspectives, which seeks to amplify marginalised voices in global scholarship.

In line with the UFS’s dedication to expanding its international reach, Prof Solomon continues to build on existing relationships and pursue new collaborations with Indian scholars, particularly within the BRICS and BRICS Plus frameworks. These efforts will enhance academic exchange and research opportunities, further positioning UFS as a key player in global academic discourse.

As UFS broadens its global footprint, such initiatives not only elevate the institution’s reputation but also enrich the academic experiences of its students and researchers, promoting a more interconnected academic landscape. 

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Kovsie student represents SA at Sudirman Cup in China
2009-05-26

The South African National Badminton Team recently represented South Africa at the Sudirman Cup in Guangzhou, China. The Sudirman Cup is the World Mixed-team Badminton Championships, which take place every two years.

Annari Viljoen, a Kovsie student and the brothers Chris and Roelof Dednam, former Kovsie students, were included in team that represented South Africa at the championships.

In the first match of the tournament, the Dednam brothers were the only victors when they won the mens doubles and defeated Paul Jefferson Vivas and Ronel Estanislao of the Philippines with 2117 and 2112.

In their second match, the South African team beat Luxembourg 41. In the mixed doubles the Dednams defeated Joe Michels and Yann Mellers with 2111 and 219 and in the womens doubles Michelle Edwards and Annari beat their opponents Anne Schumacher and Annick Weides with 1321 and 2224.

The South African team competed against Turkey in their third match and won 32, only losing the singles event. In the mens doubles the Dednams defeated Mehmet Tural and Ali Kaya with 2116 and 2113 and in the womens doubles Michelle Edwards and Annari beat Derya Calimbay and Oznur Caliskan with 2220 and 2117.

In the final group match team South Africa competed against Switzerland and lost 41 with only the mixed doubles pair of Dorian James and Annari winning their match against Anthony Dumartheray and Sabrina Jacquet with 1221, 2422 and 2119.

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