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Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo first UFS academic to join the Global Young Academy

24 April 2025 | Story Reuben Maeko | Photo Supplied

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

The solution to student food insecurity is a holistic approach

2017-02-10

Description: Dietetics read more Tags: Dietetics read more

Dr Louise van den Berg from the Department of
Nutrition and Dietetics says the University of the Free State
is taking steps to teach students how to budget and make
them aware how important food nutrition is.
Photo: Pixabay

Research at the University of the Free State (UFS) has indicated that nearly 60% of students are victims of food insecurity and suffer from hunger most of the time. The research by the UFS Faculty of Health Sciences shows that a further 25% are food insecure but are not hungry most of the time.

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dr Louise van den Berg, says food insecurity is common among student populations across the world. However, local research shows that it is almost double that of tertiary institutions in developed countries.

Food insecurity among students caught many people off-guard
Dr Van den Berg says in South Africa nobody had really looked at the problem until recently “It seems student food insecurity has caught many people off-guard.” She says people tend to think of tertiary students as a privileged group.

The research has now indicated how deep the problem really is on campus. The students that most likely go hungry are single, male, black or coloured, and are generally first-generation students.

They are also mostly undergraduates, those paying their studies from non-bank loans or bursary means, those not living with their parents or guardians or those that need to support somebody else financially.

The results further indicate that those that are likely to suffer from hunger seldom or never have enough money for food but have to borrow money for food, have to ask for food, sell items to get food or steal food.

“A healthy student is a
successful student.”

Bursary money send back home for parents to survive
Dr Van den Berg agrees that one of the main reasons for the situation is economic stress. Research has shown students rarely spend money on food when resources are scarce. Furthermore, parents of students studying with bursaries are not always able to fully support them on campus. Some students send bursary money back home for their parents to survive.

She says other factors that contribute to campus food insecurity are that all over the world universities have terminated catered food halls due to high costs. “To a large extent this has created a food desert for students and now they need to look after themselves.”

To throw money at the problem does not seem to be the answer.

Students are food-uncertain beings
The research indicates that young people on campus do not know where to buy food, much less the correct, nutritional food they need. Dr Van den Berg says most universities are now aware of the problem and have been taking steps. This includes teaching students how to budget and making them aware how important nutrition is for their success and their responsibility for themselves.

Universities are also looking at private funding for food aid and food schemes. Dr Van den Berg says other solutions are the restructuring of bursary fees, student self-help initiatives and food gardens.

The Faculty of Health Sciences is taking the initiative to manage a food blog on the UFS website. It will also use other social media platforms to post food-preparation videos and recipes for students.

Dr Van den Berg says it is important to grow the 15.6% group of students who indicated they are food secure because a healthy student is a successful student.

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