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14 February 2025 | Story Charlene Stanley | Photo Kaleidoscope Studios
Prof Hester Klopper
Prof Hester Klopper, newly appointed Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State.

Re-discovering Our Institutional Heart was the theme of the official opening address of the University of the Free State (UFS) presented by newly appointed UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester Klopper, as she addressed UFS staff members in the Odeion Auditorium on the Bloemfontein Campus.

Prof Klopper sketched the current global, national, and local contexts that have affected higher education in general, and the UFS in particular, giving an overview of where the institution has come from, where it currently is, and where it is going. She emphasised the need to focus on the qualities and research areas for which the university has become well known, and to stay true to the values and principles set out in its Vision 130.

“Vision 130 illuminates our way into the future – expounding how we want to establish ourselves as a top-tier university that is continually extending its influence and impact locally, regionally, and globally,” she said.

 

The institutional heart

Prof Klopper referred to the image of a heart that is reflected in the UFS marketing logo, encouraging staff to rediscover what lies at the heart of the institution, and what sets it apart.

“A university such as ours inevitably forms and moulds the lives and characters of the people associated with it; and in turn, it too is shaped and transformed by those who have graced its campuses over the decades. It too has a character. And it certainly has a heart.”

She elaborated on the metaphorical meanings locked up within the concept of a heart, touching on how it symbolised vitality, flow, and energy, interconnectedness, and a sense of belonging. She also highlighted its significance as a beacon of resilience.

“It is associated with courage and steadfastness. Over the past 120 years, the University of the Free State has prevailed despite adversity and has managed to constantly reinvent itself in order to remain relevant, without losing sight of the values in which it is anchored,” she said.

 

Priorities for tenure

One of the broad focus areas that Prof Klopper identified as a priority during her term was establishing the UFS as an innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. “This includes advancing transdisciplinary research, moving towards identifying two to three core research themes that address local, regional, and global challenges, and strengthening our unique offering,” she said.

Another focus area will be working towards systemic sustainability, which will include a disciplined approach towards financial management, as well as revision and optimisation of the academic model. She also indicated that internationalisation will be a core theme during her tenure, as will the establishment of the UFS as a first-choice employer and a magnet for talent. To this end, she announced the establishment of a VC Strategic Personnel Fund to grow and attract the best academic talent.

 

Innovation through connection

Prof Klopper concluded that the heartbeat of the UFS lies in innovation through connection.

For her, innovation is expressed in the university’s cutting-edge programme content, its focus on creating a culture of entrepreneurship, optimisation of the academic model, and finding new ways to diversify income streams. On the other hand, connection is reflected in heightened internationalisation, expansive collaborative networks, and a renewed focus on transdisciplinary research and real societal impact through engaged scholarship.

“My sincere wish is that each one of you will rediscover this heartbeat and that it will inspire you this year to take our great institution to even greater heights,” she said.

 

Click to view document Click here for the official opening speech.

News Archive

UFS tennis player off to World Games in Turkey
2005-04-06

Kovsie se nommer 1 gekeurde tennisspeler Michelle van Staden is na afloop van die SASSU Oefenkamp van 28 Maart - 2 April 2005 te Pretoria in die SA Studente span verkies om aan die 23ste Studente Wêreldspele in Turkye, Izmar vanaf 10 - 21 Augustus 2005 deel te neem.

Van Staden het te same met 3 ander Kovsie wat in die SA Studente oefengroep opgeneem is, nl. Dillon van der Haer  (Kovsie se nr. 1 mansspeler), Elliott Hogan  (2de agtereen volgende jaar tot oefengroep verkies)  en Lizelle Smith  (Kovsies se nr. 2 gekeurde damesspeler)  aan die oefenkamp in Pretoria deelgeneem.  Die week het bestaan uit fiksheidstoetse en rondomtalie wedstryde.  Uit die 8 mans- en 8 damesspelers van verskeie Tersiêre Instellings in SA is slegs 3 mans en 3 dames verkies tot die span wat na Turkye sal reis.

Die span is:  Mans:  Heinrich Heyl  (Tuks), Warwic Spence  (UJHB), Joshua Nkachela  (Tuks).  Reserwe: Mark Prior  (UJHB).

Dames:  Michelle van Staden  (Kovsies), Catherine Perkins  (UKZN), Zanele Tshabalala  (TUT).  Reserwe:  Leentjie Oosthuizen  (Maties).

Michelle het gedurende verlede jaar se SASSU toernooi nie een wedstryde afgestaan en is nie-amptelik as die nr. 1 damesspeler in SA studente tennis aangewys.  Smith was ook deel van die Kovsie vrouespan wat die goue medalje verower het tydens die toernooi.

Die UV se afrigter, mnr. Marnus Kleinhans sal die SA Studente span as spanbestuurder na Turkye vergesel.  Die afrigter is mnr. Gerrie Dippenaar van die UJHB.

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