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Women shaping academia: UFS EMS Faculty honours leadership and resilience

21 August 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Tshepo Tsotetsi

EMS Womens Function — From the left: Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences; Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS; Simone Williams, Faculty Manager; and Dr Celeste Campher, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, at the Women’s Function held on the Bloemfontein Campus on 18 August.

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences recently hosted a Women’s Function on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus – an event that paid tribute to women’s leadership in academia during Women’s Month. The gathering, held on 18 August 2025, was marked by a historic conversation with Prof Hester C. Klopper, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, who earlier this year became the first woman to lead the university in its 121-year history.

The function brought together women academics and professional staff in an atmosphere of connection and reflection to converse on breaking barriers, building futures, and empowering women in higher education. In conversation with colleagues, Prof Klopper shared her personal journey in higher education, her leadership philosophy, and the values that have guided her career. The occasion created a meaningful platform for colleagues to reflect on the role of women in shaping the future of the faculty and the university.

Breaking barriers, building futures

Prof Klopper described her appointment as both humbling and historic: “It is an extraordinary honour to be entrusted with this responsibility. This milestone is not just a personal achievement, but also a reflection of the progress we have made as a university and as a society in recognising and valuing diversity in leadership. I stand on the shoulders of many trailblazers who paved the way, and I hope my appointment inspires women to believe that there are no limits to what they can achieve.”

She shared pivotal moments across her career journey – from transitioning into academia to international leadership experiences that shaped her vision. “You become aware of a growing, burning desire to plough back what you have learned; to pay forward in some way after receiving so many opportunities for growth, so much exposure to great role models, and such incredible learning experiences,” she said.

Acknowledging the challenges women still face in higher education, Prof Klopper reflected: “Academia has traditionally been male-dominated. In order to overcome stereotyping and bias, I drew on the values instilled by my parents – hard work, believing in yourself, non-discrimination, fairness, and care. These have been incredibly valuable in my journey.” She also highlighted the importance of supportive partnerships when balancing professional and family responsibilities.

Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Vice-Dean: Research, Engagement and Internationalisation in the Faculty, said these reflections captured the very purpose of the gathering. “With Prof Klopper serving as the first female Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, it was important to create a platform for her to inspire and empower women academics,” she said. “By sharing her career journey and insights, she demonstrated how barriers can be overcome in higher education leadership.”

She added that the conversation reinforced an important message: “Women, too, can achieve whatever they aspire to become. Prof Klopper reminded us that one must be clear about the message they want to communicate, know what they stand for, and remain consistent, authentic and honest. She emphasised the importance of always considering what you bring to the table – your expertise and knowledge – which ultimately opens doors. She also reminded us that women need to create their own values and live them, be intentional, and show up. There is no single recipe – each person must find their own rhythm and pursue it deliberately.”

Prof Klopper echoed with a message of encouragement to young women: “Have the courage to embrace your own authentic leadership style. Do not allow others to define who you are – believe in your own abilities. Knowledge without action is incomplete. Lead with heart, take intellectual risks, and remember that talent exists everywhere, but you have the power to create opportunity.”

Prof Neneh added that the event was not only a celebration but also a call to action: “Women play a vital role in enriching the academic project by bringing diverse experiences, perspectives, and leadership approaches. I hope colleagues left encouraged to pursue their aspirations with confidence and inspired to embrace mentorship, sponsorship, and solidarity among women academics.”

News Archive

Researchers international leaders in satellite tracking in the wildlife environment

2015-05-29

Ground-breaking research has attracted international media attention to Francois Deacon, lecturer and researcher in the Department Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences at the UFS, and Prof Nico Smit, from the same department. They are the first researchers in the world to equip giraffes with GPS collars, and to conduct research on this initiative. Recently, they have been joined by Hennie Butler from the Department of Zoology as well as Free State Nature Conservation to further this research.

“Satellite tracking is proving to be extremely valuable in the wildlife environment. The unit is based on a mobile global two-way communication platform, utilising two-way data satellite communication, complete with GPS systems.

“It allows us to track animals day and night, while we monitor their movements remotely from the computer. These systems make possible the efficient control and monitoring of wildlife in all weather conditions and in near-to-real time. We can even communicate with the animals, calling up their positions or changing the tracking schedules.

“The satellite collar allows us to use the extremely accurate data to conduct research with the best technology available. The volume of data received allows us to publish the data in scientific journals and research-related articles.

“Scientific institutions and the public sector have both shown great interest in satellite tracking, which opens up new ground for scientific research for this university. Data management can be done, using Africa Wildlife Tracking (AWT) equipment where we can access our data personally, store it, and make visual presentations. The AWT system and software architecture provide the researcher with asset tracking, GPS location reports, geo-fencing, highly-detailed custom mapping, history reports and playback, polling on demand, history plotting on maps, and a range of reporting types and functions,” Francois said.

Data can be analysed to determine home range, dispersal, or habitat preference for any specific species.

Francois has been involved in multiple research projects over the last 12 years on wildlife species and domesticated animals, including the collaring of species such as Black-backed Jackal, Caracal, African Wild Dog, Hyena, Lion, Cheetah, Cattle, Kudu, Giraffe, and Black Rhino: “Giraffe definitely being the most challenging of all,” he said.

In 2010, he started working on his PhD, entitled The spatial ecology, habitat preferences and diet selection of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) in the Kalahari region of South Africa.

Since then, his work has resulted not only in more research work (supervising four Masters students) but also in a number of national and international projects. These include work in the:

Kalahari region (e.g. Khamab Nature Reserve and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park)
Kuruman region (Collared 18 cattle to identify spatial patterns in relation to the qualities of vegetation and soil-types available. This project took place in collaboration with Born University in Germany)
Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate and Kolomella Iron Ore – ecological monitoring
A number of Free State nature reserves (e.g. Distribution of herbivores (kudu and giraffe) and predators (camera traps)

Francois is also involved with species breeding programmes and management (giraffe, buffalo, sable, roan, and rhino) in Korrannaberg, Rustenburg, Hertzogville, Douglas, and Bethlehem as well as animal and ecological monitoring in Kolomella and Beesthoek iron ore.

Besides the collaring of giraffes, Francois and his colleagues are involved in national projects, where they collect milk from lactating giraffes and DNA material, blood samples, and ecto/endo parasites from giraffes in Southern Africa.

With international projects, Francois is working to collect DNA material for the classification of the nine sub-species of giraffe in Africa. He is also involved in projects focusing on the spatial ecology and adaptation of giraffe in Uganda (Murchison Falls), and to save the last 30 giraffe in the DRC- Garamba National Park.

This project has attracted a good deal of international interest. In June 2014, a US film crew (freelancing for Discovery Channel) filmed a documentary on Francois’ research (trailer of documentary). Early in 2015, a second crew, filming for National Geographic, also visited Francois to document his work.

More information about Francois’ work is available at the GCF website.

Read Francois Deacon's PhD abstract

Direct enquiries to news@ufs.ac.za.

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