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UFS Qwaqwa NAS faculty soars with exceptional achievements in 2024

16 April 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied

Qwaqwa NAS Achievements — From left to right Prof Richard Ocaya is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, Dr Tebogo Motsei and Dr Kamohelo Tshabalala

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS) at the University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus is celebrating a year of remarkable achievements, showcasing the dedication and brilliance of its students and faculty. The 2024 academic year has been marked by outstanding academic performance, prestigious awards, and groundbreaking research, solidifying the faculty's commitment to excellence.

Academic excellence shines bright

The faculty's commitment to rigorous academic standards has yielded impressive results. This year, four doctoral candidates successfully obtained their PhDs, contributing valuable research to their respective fields. Furthermore, the dedication of the honours and master’s students was evident in their exceptional performance. Out of 25 honours students, an impressive 11 achieved distinctions, demonstrating their mastery of their subjects. Similarly, 5 out of 10 master’s students passed with distinctions, a testament to their advanced research capabilities and academic prowess.

Dr Tebogo Motsei: A beacon of innovation and excellence

Among the faculty's many successes, the achievement of Dr Tebogo Motsei stands out as a testament to the calibre of talent being nurtured on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus. Dr Motsei, who recently graduated from the campus, was awarded the prestigious CV Raman Scholarship by the Government of the Republic of India – a recognition bestowed upon only the most promising postgraduate students.

This highly competitive scholarship, named after the Nobel prize-winning physicist Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, provided recipients with a six-month research opportunity in India. Dr Motsei conducted her research at the esteemed Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), under the guidance of Prof Arul Manuel Stephan and Prof Sabu Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of the Mahatma Gandhi University. CECRI – one of the most difficult Indian institutes to get admitted into – is part of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Dr Motsei’s research focused on sodium-ion batteries and supercapacitors with lithium-sulphur integration, resulting in significant advancements in energy storage devices. Her innovative work has the potential to revolutionise the field, contributing to more efficient and sustainable energy solutions.

Adding to her achievements, Dr Motsei also established Lesedi Innovations Pty, a company dedicated to the manufacturing of button batteries and cells of the CR2032 and 18650 form factors. This entrepreneurial endeavour highlights her commitment to translating research into practical applications that benefit society.

For her PhD studies, she was supervised by Prof Richard Ocaya in the Department of Physics, and co-supervised by Dr Kamohelo Tshabalala, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics. Prof Ocaya, proud of Motsei’s achievements, believes that this fellowship not only serves as a great motivation for students – especially on the Qwaqwa Campus – but also highlights the global relevance of the UFS, particularly the Department of Physics.

A message of pride and congratulations

Prof Aliza le Roux, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, expressed her immense pride in the students and staff. "I would like to congratulate the NAS students and staff members on this fantastic achievement – it’s a sign of people going out of their way to do their best and make their research work despite any obstacles thrown in their way. These distinctions show that we have smart, dedicated, creative people in NAS, and I’m very proud of all of them. For students, this means great opportunities ahead, and for staff, it is a sure sign that they did something right in their mentorship and teaching. Thank you to this wonderful team," concluded Prof Le Roux.

The UFS Qwaqwa Campus congratulates all the graduates, distinguished students, and dedicated staff of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Their accomplishments are a testament to the university's commitment to fostering academic excellence and innovation. The faculty continues to fly the UFS flag high, inspiring future generations of scientists and researchers.

News Archive

UFS cracks down on crime on campus

2006-03-15

A comprehensive plan to step up the security on the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein, was approved by the Executive Management (EM) this week.

“The plan briefly comprises of the introduction of reasonable and affordable measures that will promote a safe campus and working environment,” said Rev Kiepie Jaftha, Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS.

“With the plan we want to try and create a user friendly, but safe campus,” said Rev Jaftha.

The plan is the result of an intensive investigation about campus security done by an EM task team.

The following measures will be implemented immediately in phases:

The five current vehicle entrances and exits will remain (i.e. the gate at Nelson Mandela Avenue, the gate at Roosmaryn, the gate at Agriculture, the Wynand Mouton Avenue gate and the Furstenburg Road gate).

The number of smaller pedestrian gates will be reduced and security at those remaining will be increased.
The fences around the campus will remain, upgraded and patrolled on a daily basis.

The security measures at high risk areas (e.g. the Kovsie Church) will be stepped up and the fences in these areas will be electrified.

Vehicle exit control will be stepped up at the gates by means of a mixture of electronic and compulsory visual security control.

Public areas, streets and footpaths will be patrolled and shrubs and trees will be cut and pruned. The streets, footpaths and buildings will also be lit.

Speed reducing mechanisms will be implemented before and after the security control points at all the gates.
Additional staff will be appointed to facilitate the flow of traffic at the gates.

“Over and above these measures, the EM also approved in principle the installation of electronic equipment at all the entrance gates. This will include the installation of cameras,” said Rev Jaftha.

According to Rev Jaftha the installation of the electronic equipment will be complemented by the compulsory cutting and restarting of engines for all vehicles exiting the gates. The measure has been in force since 1 February 2006.

Last year special measures were put in place to safeguard residences and their inhabitants when security guards were placed at all the ladies residences. These measures will stay in force.

“Regular audits will be done to determine the effectiveness of the strategies and systems. Although crime in and around the campus grounds can never be completely eradicated, we want to strive to create an environment on campus and in the workplace where it can be limited,” he said.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
15 March 2006

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