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15 April 2025 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied
Kay-leigh van Rooyen
Kay-Leigh van Rooyen, Research Assistant at the University of the Free State (UFS), was one of sixteen individuals selected to participate in the 2024 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary.

As one of only sixteen recipients of the prestigious 2024 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary, Kay-Leigh van Rooyen, Research Assistant at the University of the Free State (UFS), recently returned from a life-changing journey across the United Kingdom. Representing the UFS on this esteemed programme, van Rooyen joined a cohort of emerging South African leaders in a transformative cultural and academic exchange. 

Reflecting on the experience, she described it as “nothing short of amazing.” 

“The experience was so much more than just visiting new places,” she said. “It was about engaging in meaningful conversations, forming lasting relationships, and gaining fresh perspectives on global issues.”

The Abe Bailey Travel Bursary aims to empower young South Africans through leadership development, cross-cultural exchange, and exposure to international dialogue. According to van Rooyen, this initiative was a powerful platform for personal growth, enabling her to see the world – and South Africa - through new lens.

“I learned the power of perspective - how others view our country, and how to understand global challenges from diverse vantage points,” she said. “I also realised that leadership is not about titles, but about influence and empathy.” 

 

A journey through the UK 

The bursary cohort convened in Cape Town on 23 November 2023 before departing for the UK, where they travelled from London to Edinburgh and back. The programme officially concluded on 18 December 2024/3. 

During the tour, the group visited iconic institutions such as the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the British Library, the Francis Crick Institute, and the Houses of Parliament. For van Rooyen, the highlight was the opportunity to engage with thought leaders and changemakers. 

“One of the most memorable moments was having lunch in a chamber of the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster with Lord Karan Bilimoria, the founder and chairman of Cobra Beer. The conversation was insightful and inspiring,” she said.  

 

A global stage for the UFS

Van Rooyen emphasised the professional impact of the experience, noting how it shaped her perspective on the role of academia in society. 

“This experience has changed the way I approach my work. I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry - especially how we can make research more practical and impactful,” she explained. 

She also highlighted the broader benefit for the UFS community. 

“Global engagements like these position the UFS as part of the international conversation. Our students and staff have valuable insights to share,  and we can learn so much from other institutions.” 

Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation at the UFS and Chair of the university’s Abe Bailey Travel Bursary selection committee, echoed these sentiments. 

“The Travel Bursary so elegantly aligns with the vision and heart of the UFS - namely, to expose our students to a wider world and its global connections,” he said. 

 

Inspiring the next generation of UFS leaders 

Encouraging fellow UFS staff and students to apply for the bursary, van Rooyen emphasised the personal and professional rewards. 

“It challenges you to think critically, engage meaningfully, and build relationships with people you wouldn’t ordinarily meet,” she said. 

Prof Reddy praised van Rooyen for her achievements and representation of the UFS on a global stage.  

“Her experiences and insights demonstrate that she is an exceptional ambassador – not only as an Abe Bailey alumnus, but also as a symbol of the excellence the UFS strives for. We are extremely proud of Kay-Leigh and wish her well as we look forward to the great things that lie ahead for her.”

 

 

News Archive

Vice-Chancellor’s Prestige Scholars Programme provides platform for next generation scholars
2015-12-08

Dr Rudo Ngara

“The PSP provides a platform for growth, where scholars get to interact with seniors and peers, giving much needed guidance as to where you are and what the next level of your work should be.” This is how Dr Rudo Ngara —a scholar of the Vice-Chancellor’s Prestige Scholars Programme (PSP)—describes the initiative.

For young scholars, such as Dr Ngara, it can be difficult to generate sustainable funding externally for their research. These researchers are not yet established in networks and collaborations independent of their doctoral supervisors, which makes procuring funding even more challenging. This is where the PSP makes an invaluable contribution.

Through the support of PSP, Dr Ngara was recently awarded a substantial NRF (National Research Fund) grant. Dr Ngara is currently a lecturer in the University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences on the Qwaqwa Campus. Her research is especially topical as it investigates how crops—particularly cereals—respond and adapt to a range of abiotic stress factors. These factors include drought, high salinity, and extremely high temperatures. Dr Ngara seeks to develop resilient crops that are better suited to produce under harsh environmental conditions. This research endeavour would have been far more complicated if not for the PSP.

Although the programme is not a funding agency, it does have an excellent record of support towards generating funding from outside sources such as Fulbright, the Commonwealth and, of course, the South African NRF.

 

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