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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. 

News Archive

Faculty of Law establishes a Centre for Labour Law
2009-12-02

Here at a recent certificate ceremony for the students in Labour Law are Prof. Voet du Plessis, Ms Kotie Prinsloo (middle) from Netcare who received the Certificate in Labour Law with a distinction and Ms Alet Ellis from the Department of Private Law at the UFS.
Photo: Stephen Collett

 The establishment of a Centre for Labour Law in the Faculty of Law was recently officially approved by the Council of the University of the Free State (UFS).

This centre aims to promote teaching and research in labour law at the UFS and to nationally and internationally establish collaboration with centres and institutes of labour law.

The first certificate course in Labour Law was presented in 2001 when a need was identified from persons who not necessary qualified for a LLB. An advanced course in Labour Law followed in 2004 and a postgraduate diploma in Labour Law followed in 2007. Since 2001, a total of 1 400 certificates have been awarded to students who successfully completed the certificate course and the advanced course in Labour Law.

“Where Labour Law is already to a greater degree functioning independently, the already existing operations will now be formally grouped in a centre,” said Prof. Du Plessis, acting head of the Centre for Labour Law at the UFS.

Apart from the Main Campus, the certificate course is also being presented in Qwaqwa and in Welkom. Distance learning is also provided for.

The official launch of the centre will take place early in next year. The board as well as the advisory panel, existing of experts from outside the university, will also then be appointed.

This centre can also be seen as one of the faculty’s community service arms,” said Prof. Du Plessis. The centre amongst others gives to persons who not have university admission the opportunity to study and to qualify themselves in their work. If a person completed all the certificate courses in Labour Law, he will be able to qualify for the postgraduate diploma in Labour Law with the recognition of prior learning process. Since the presentation of the last mentioned course in 2007, approximately 120 students have successfully completed this course.

“I am thankful that we are at this point where the Centre for Labour Law is officially approved. It is a great milestone for the Department of Mercantile Law as well as the Faculty of Law at the UFS,” said Prof. Du Plessis.
 

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
2 December 2009

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