The University of the Free State (UFS) continues to demonstrate its commitment to alumni engagement and internationalisation through two impactful Alumni Connect events, recently hosted in Sandton, Gauteng, and Windhoek, Namibia. Spearheaded by Prof Hester C. Klopper, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, both events celebrated the achievements of UFS graduates while deepening the university’s connection with its expanding alumni network beyond South Africa’s borders.

The first event took place on 31 July 2025 in the heart of Sandton’s business district, where a vibrant gathering of alumni from diverse sectors reunited to share their journeys and rekindle their connection with the university. Delivering the keynote address, Prof Klopper highlighted the invaluable role of alumni in shaping the institution’s future.

“This event extends beyond a mere reunion,” she said. “It represents a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to the values upheld by the University of the Free State. We take immense pride in our alumni and their contributions at both a local and global scale.”

Distinguished UFS graduate and legal professional Gosego Moroka (Class of 2019) echoed Prof Klopper's sentiments, praising the initiative for creating a platform to reconnect and reflect on the shared impact of their UFS experience.

“The UFS has shaped who we are. This initiative helps strengthen the bond between us and our alma mater,” Moroka said.

Less than a week later, on 6 August 2025, Prof Klopper travelled to Windhoek to host the Namibian leg of Alumni Connect. The event provided a meaningful opportunity for Namibian alumni to engage with university leadership, share insights, and explore avenues for future collaboration in strategic fields such as mining engineering, environmental science, and agriculture.

In her address, Prof Klopper highlighted the UFS’s growing presence in the SADC region and the university’s broader African engagement strategy.

“We are proud to serve nearly 40 000 students, including more than 1 000 international students, and we are deepening our international partnerships through joint research, student mobility, and staff exchanges,” she said.

She also shared progress on several flagship initiatives, including:

• the Transdisciplinary Innovation Hub on the South Campus,
• the forthcoming Veterinary Science programme,
• the newly launched UFS Training Academy, and
• a comprehensive Academic Programme Renewal effort.

  
  

These projects reflect the university’s forward-looking vision and its enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and meaningful societal contribution.

With enthusiastic responses from attendees in both Gauteng and Namibia, the Alumni Connect initiative is proving to be a vital platform for fostering pride, collaboration, and sustained alumni engagement. The university plans to expand its reach by hosting similar events across more regions in Southern Africa and internationally.

“The Kovsie spirit that unites us is about a shared commitment to excellence, transformation, and positive impact,” Prof Klopper concluded.