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24 April 2025 | Story Reuben Maeko | Photo Supplied
Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo
Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo, UFS academic in the Division of Public Health within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the UFS.

Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo, an academic in the Division of Public Health within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), will make history when she becomes the first academic from the institution to be inaugurated into the Global Young Academy (GYA).

Dr Mulondo is one of two South Africans that are part of the 2025 cohort of incoming members who will be inaugurated to the sought-after prestigious Academy in Hyderabad, India. The other South African is Dr Mbuzeleni Hlongwa, a Senior Research Specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council.

The Global Young Academy is a network institution of the United Nations Scientific Advisory Board which allows young scientists from around the world to collaborate on research, set the global agenda, and contribute to global policies. The GYA develops, connects and mobilises young talent from six continents, and empowers young researchers to lead international, interdisciplinary and intergenerational dialogue and contribute to societal challenges. The GYA aims to elevate the voice of young scientists in evidence-informed and inclusive global, regional and national decision making.

The membership is comprised of passionate young scientists, typically who obtained their PhD degrees three to 10 years earlier, are between 30 to 40 years of age, and in the early stages of their independent academic careers. Members are selected for their scientific excellence and commitment to engage with society, and serve five-year terms.

 

Global Young Academy

“I feel honoured to be selected. The selection further cements the ingenuity of young African scientists and our ability to shape the global agenda. It allows us to envision a future together which leans towards empathy, kindness and unity,” said Dr Mulondo.

The Academy hopes to bridge the gap between established and new academics as well the gap between academics from the Global North and Global South. Further positioning academics from the south for interdisciplinary collaboration and publication in high impact journals to address complex and emerging challenges such as public health issues. The Academy selects young academics who display contribution to research, dedication to serving society and the ability to make an impact on the Academy’s community.

 

Aspirations in the academy

The recognition is testament that Africa is still producing globally competitive academics. This achievement is even better as it comes during the G20 presidency when Africa is showing what the developing world can produce. Coincidentally, Dr Mulondo, was one of the invited speakers at the G20 Research & Innovation Working Group, joining other selected young academics.

According to Dr Mulondo, who won the Zenith Global Health Award under the category ‘Mental Health and Well-being’ last year and was first runner-up in the category Emerging Leader at the South African Health Excellence Award. Academics from Africa have a responsibility to contribute to the development of the continent through evidence-based advice and solutions to policymakers. This membership allows young academics to stay in touch with global scientific trends and shifts in order to be better informed about resolving some of humanity’s most pressing crises.

She hopes to continue to advance public health strategies that prioritise mental health and health equity. With geopolitical complexities, climate changes and technological advancements shaping our future, the Academy allows for voices from the Global South to contribute to global policies and influence global policy decisions. “As a mentor and supervisor of master’s and PhD students in Public Health, I hope to contribute to ushering in a new generation of well-rounded public health researchers who are societally engaged.”

Prof Anthea Rhoda, UFS Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, congratulated Dr Mulondo, saying the UFS is extremely proud of her. “Being selected as one of two South African scholars to the Global Young Academy demonstrates her dedication as a public health scholar passionate about making a difference in the health and well-being of society. Well done, on this great achievement.”

News Archive

Grant from the Andrew W Mellon Foundation provides significant boost for graduate and postdoctoral studies in the Humanities
2013-05-19

20 May 2013

The Andrew W Mellon Foundation has made an award of US $500 000 [c. ZAR 4.85 million] over three years to support graduate and postdoctoral studies in the Humanities at the University of the Free State (UFS).

The award will underwrite 20 postgraduate studentships and postdoctoral fellowships, as well as annual postgraduate skills training workshops and a research seminar programme, amongst other initiatives. Already underway following national and international advertisement, the programme has attracted highly qualified young scholars from South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as from the United Kingdom and the United States. While their fields of study include history, politics, anthropology and development studies, most of the research projects have an African focus and a marked historical dimension.

Postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students alike are associates of, or are registered in, the Centre for Africa Studies. Several of them, have already published articles in international refereed journals. Chapters in books, edited collections and single-authored monographs are all in the pipeline.

“The application to the Mellon Foundation was made in the context of UFS' strategic plan and the priority given to the importance of fostering and consolidating postgraduate and postdoctoral research. Together with other funding, this grant gives the university the opportunity to develop graduate studies in the Humanities in such a way that it surpasses many South African universities and approaches that of the best universities in the country,” says Prof Ian Phimister, Senior UFS Research Professor.

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