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19 February 2025 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Prof Hagenmeier and Prof Jacobs
Prof Lynette Jacobs and Dr Cornelius Hagenmeier, one of her hosts at the Mittweida University of Applied Sciences (HSMW). Prof Jacobs, a visiting professor at this institution, had the opportunity to visit the HSMW on a guest scholarship grant from the State of Saxony.

Since its foundation in 1867, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences (HSMW) has had internationality as a trademark. In its early decades, more than half of its students came from abroad to study at this institution in Saxony, Germany. Today, the university is working with more than 100 partners worldwide, including the University of the Free State (UFS).

In September last year, the UFS signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), outlining the intention to collaborate on the exchange of academic staff and researchers for teaching, lectures, and research, as well as for the sharing of expertise. Additionally, the institutions are also looking at student exchange opportunities, conducting joint research projects, hosting symposia, seminars, and conferences together, and exchanging academic information and materials.

Internationalisation as a cross-cutting process

Recently, Prof Lynette Jacobs, the interim Director of the Office for International Affairs at the UFS, visited the institution as a visiting professor at the HSMW, after receiving a guest professorship grant from the Free State of Saxony in Germany.

This opportunity not only provided her with the chance to gain insight into the HSMW and build an understanding of the possibilities for collaboration between the two institutions but also allowed her to directly contribute to their strategy development. She worked on a research project with her hosts, Prof Ramona Kusche, Dean of Studies, Global Communications in Business and Culture, and Dr Cornelius Hagenmeier, Head of Internationalisation. “We responded to the question of the extent to which the HSMW has achieved the goals of its 2018 internationalisation strategy,” she says.

In this study, they found that the HSMW is known for its attractive study programmes, forward-thinking content, interactive approaches, and its innovativeness and agility. This is reflected in the views of staff and students who participated in the interviews and the survey. It also became clear that the HSMW’s internationalisation strategy intentionally draws on the character and strengths of the university, which has enabling structures and appropriate governance frameworks for internationalisation. She says this research provided her with an opportunity to reflect on the UFS’ institutional strategic plans for internationalisation and how to strengthen the strategy and its implementation.

Internationalisation strategies in a different context

“The engagement with the HSMW provided me with an important additional perspective for the internationalisation strategy revision process at the UFS,” she states, adding that spending time at the HSMW gave her a unique understanding of the development and implementation of internationalisation strategies in a different context.

Besides reviewing the HSMW’s 2018 internationalisation strategy, Prof Jacobs has also collaborated on other research projects. She co-authored both a Routledge book chapter and a manuscript of a scientific article by Prof Kusche, Dr Hagenmeier, and others. As a result of the contacts she made during her visiting professorship, she is also now involved in the guest-editing of a special issue of the journal Internationalisation of Higher Education – Policy and Practice with the theme Institutional Internationalisation Strategies in a Rapidly Changing Global Environment.

Prof Jacobs delivered a number of guest lectures during her stay in Saxony, for instance, ‘Different ways of knowing, being and relating’ (to master’s students) and ‘South African culture, Ubuntu and Pan-Africanism’ (to undergraduate students).  She furthermore engaged in various dialogue sessions and workshops with lecturers and researchers at the HSMW, focusing on the integration of international and intercultural dimensions in curricula or in their research. She participated in discussions with some young female academics on science and career development and contributed to an international workshop on Institutional Internationalisation Strategies in a Rapidly Changing Global Environment, where initial research findings were presented that will inform the strategy's upcoming revision.

The young but growing partnership between the UFS and the HSMW promises benefits for both institutions. Two complementary face-to-face internationalisation colloquium sessions are scheduled for 2025:  the first during the HSMW International Week in June, and the second on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus in September.  This will further deepen the collaboration, building a shared understanding of integrated internationalisation, contributing to scholarship of internationalisation, and enriching the academic and cultural exchange between the universities. Collaboration in terms of mentorship programmes between the two universities is on the cards, while specific departments at the UFS (e.g. the Department of Social Work and the Department of Facilities) have already started their collaboration in 2024.

For more information about partnerships, contact the Office for International Affairs at partnerships@ufs.ac.za.

News Archive

Graduates encouraged to use their knowledge to the benefit of SA
2017-06-28

Description: Graduation read more photo 27 June 2017 Tags: Graduation read more photo 27 June 2017

On 26 June 2017, the last day of its mid-year graduation
ceremonies, the University of the Free State conferred
388 master’s and 72 doctoral degrees.
Photo: Charl Devenish

You have the knowledge, which is a big resource, and should use it to the benefit of South Africa. This was the overwhelming message to graduates obtaining their master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Their responsibility was emphasised by the likes of Justice Mahube Molemela during the ceremonies in the Callie Human Centre at the Bloemfontein Campus on 26 June 2017. Justice Molemela, Judge President of the Free State Division of the High Court and Acting Justice of the Supreme Court of South Africa, was the guest speaker at the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

The UFS conferred 388 master’s and 72 doctoral degrees on the final day of its mid-year graduation ceremonies, which was the biggest set of ceremonies in the university’s history. The doctorates came from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (30), Faculty of the Humanities (15), Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (9), Faculty of Education (8), Faculty of Health Sciences (5), and Faculty of Theology (5). A total of 5 258 degrees were conferred over six days from 19 to 26 June 2017.

Future dependant on youth
Justice Molemela said the master’s and doctoral graduates have the skills to make a difference. “The future of a nation is largely dependent on its youth playing a meaningful role in creating a strong economy, culminating in a good standard of living for everyone.”

She said they should plough back into their communities and give opportunities to others. “I am certain that if each one of you thinks innovatively in your respective fields, you will find solutions which will eradicate poverty, improve service delivery, and hence our education will advance gender equity, and promote public participation.”

Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor, said these graduates have every reason to hold their heads high, their shoulders square, and walk with a bit of an attitude, as they have distinguished themselves.

Generation of new knowledge
According to Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, the UFS strives to be a university that is research led. “For me, one of the important aspects about universities which set them apart from other training and vocational institutions is the generation of new knowledge,” he said at a lunch function for PhD graduates on 26 June 2017. He feels it is critically important for them to make a contribution to the country.

Dipiloane Phutsisi, Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Motheo TVET College in the Free State, also emphasised this. Phutsisi was the guest speaker on 23 June 2017. “Your courage and eagerness to face the future and tell the truth in the midst of this confusion, is highly desired by South Africans.”

Justice Ian van der Merwe, Judge of Appeal at the Supreme Court of Appeal and former Chair of the UFS Council, was the guest speaker at the ceremonies on 22 June 2017. He encouraged graduates from a chapter in the book War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.

“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth (according to Tolstoy). Or maybe more modernly translated: There is no greatness where simplicity, goodness, and truth are absent.”

Click here to see a list of Deans’ and Senate medals awarded.

Graduations ceremonies:

 

19 June 2017:

Faculty of Education, except educational qualifications in Open and Distance Learning – South Campus
Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Theology, and Faculty of Law (including the School of Financial Planning Law)

Description: Bloem Campus Graduation 19 June 2017 Tags: Bloem Campus Graduation 19 June 2017

 

“Every one of us, is destined for greatness. In the words of Dr Martin Luther King: Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.” – Dipiloane Phutsisi (Guest speaker and Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Motheo TVET College in the Free State)

 
Photo Gallery
Livestream Footage (morning session)
Livestream Footage (afternoon session)

Photo: Charl Devenish


20 June 2017:

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: All Bachelor’s degrees
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: All Diplomas and Bachelor Honours degrees

 Description: Mid-year graduation day 2, Bloemfontein Campus Tags: Mid-year graduation day 2, Bloemfontein Campus

 

“Graduation marks a start of a new and wonderful journey. During the last couple of years you have not only developed your intellect, but also expanded what I call your social self,” - Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor

Speech: Prof Francis Petersen (morning)
Speech: Prof Francis Petersen (afternoon)
Photo Gallery
Livestream Footage (morning session)
Livestream Footage (afternoon session)

Photo: Charl Devenish


21 June 2017:

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: All certificates, diplomas, Bachelor’s degrees, and Bachelor Honours degrees, excluding BCom degrees
Faculty of the Humanities: Social Sciences and Communication Sciences only

 Description: Mid-year Graduation 21 June 2017 read more Tags: Mid-year Graduation 21 June 2017 read more

 
“Graduation is one of the most accomplished achievements one can ever experience.” – Justice Connie Mocumie (Guest speaker and Judge of Appeal at the Supreme Court of Appeal)

Photo Gallery
Livestream Footage (morning session)
Livestream Footage (afternoon session)

Photo: Charl Devenish

 

 


22 June 2017:

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences: BCom degrees only
Faculty of the Humanities: All qualifications, except Social Sciences and Communication Sciences

 Description: Mid-year graduation read more for 22 June 2017 Tags: Mid-year graduation read more for 22 June 2017

 

“The question is not if you will make mistakes, but how do you deal with your mistakes? Do you admit them, do you learn from them, and do you grow as a person?” – Justice Ian van der Merwe (Guest speaker and Judge of Appeal at the Supreme Court of Appeal)

Photo Gallery
Livestream Footage (morning session)
Livestream Footage (afternoon session)

Photo: Johan Roux

 


23 June 2017:

Educational qualifications in Open and Distance Learning – South Campus

 Description: Mid-year graduation 23 June 2017 Tags: Mid-year graduation 23 June 2017

 

“Class of 2017, go and make your own unique contributions but remember to look into your own heart. South Africa needs your skills, your innovation, knowledge, your expertise and creativity.” – Dipiloane Phutsisi (Guest speaker and Principal and Chief Executive Officer of the Motheo TVET College in the Free State)



Photo Gallery
Livestream Footage (afternoon session)

Photo: Charl Devenish

 

26 June 2017:

All faculties: master’s and doctoral degrees

 Description: Graduation read more block 26 June 2017 Tags: Graduation read more block 26 June 2017

 

“Class of 2016/2017 graduates: You are critical thinkers, you can analyze, you can think independently. That is why you managed to successfully complete postgraduate degrees and diplomas.” – Justice Mahube Molemela (Judge President of the Free State Division of the High Court and Acting Justice of the Supreme Court of South Africa)


Photo Gallery
Livestream Footage (morning session)
Livestream Footage (afternoon session)

Photo: Charl Devenish

 

 

 

 

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

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