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UFS and DSTI host the 2025 G20 research working group and bioeconomy meetings

23 February 2025 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied

UFS Main Building — The University of the Free State in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), will form the backdrop for the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) and G20 Initiative on Biochemistry (GIB) meetings in February.

The University of the Free State (UFS) will form the backdrop for the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) and G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy (GIB) meetings on 23 and 24 February 2024.

UFS has, over the years, distinguished itself as a leader in the research and development, particularly in the biodiversity space through its African Medicines, Innovations and Technologies Development (AMITD) platform, which was established in collaboration with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and its entity, the Technology Innovation Agency. It was therefore an obvious choice for the institution to again partner with the DSTI to host the G20 meetings.

The G20 is an international forum comprising many of the world's largest developing and developed economies, established to tackle pressing global economic and financial issues.

South Africa holds the G20 Presidency this year – only five years before the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development deadline. This is the first time the G20 is being hosted on African soil.

South Africa's presidency takes place when the world is facing a series of overlapping and mutually reinforcing crises, including climate change, underdevelopment, inequality, poverty, hunger, unemployment, technological changes, and geopolitical instability.

The G20 RIWG provides a platform for addressing global challenges through research, technology and innovation. The DSTI will lead the RIWG under the leadership of Minister Blade Nzimande and explore this year's theme, "Equity in science and innovation-based approaches to sustainable development".

Prof Nzimande, along with Prof Hester Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UFS, will both deliver opening remarks at the meeting.

The session on 23 February will be the first to include G20 officials engaging with indigenous knowledge holders, students and researchers in the bioeconomy.

Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa, Director of the Department of Pharmacology and AMITD at UFS, says the university was an excellent choice to host the sessions because of its trusted relationships with indigenous communities and focus on inclusive research and development.

The G20 dialogues aim to be inclusive and provide a space for members of the public to voice their aspirations and to capture their needs around the indigenous knowledge and biodiversity in which they play an integral role.

"I am honoured to be part of this global event. I am so happy that AMITD is now globally recognised. We will exhibit our research conducted with communities on the internationalisation of South African science research in traditional medicines and biodiversity, and its formal commercialisation," said Prof Matsabisa.

"We are the leader in traditional medicines research and development.

"South Africa always leads in global debates and sets the stage for African views to be heard. We will contribute to policies on global biodiversity and bioeconomy and commercialisation of our natural resources through equity, sustainability and solidarity.

Prof Matsabisa believes this event will also highlight the goals of the DSTI's 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation and the implementation of its 2022-2032 Decadal Plan.

He hopes to see tangible and meaningful outcomes from the G20 discussions that will be implemented by the USA when it takes over the G20 Presidency for 2026.

News Archive

UFS launches history book

2007-02-02


Attending the launch of the UFS history book were, from the left: Prof Stef Coetzee, Prof Francois Retief, Prof Wynand Mouton, Mr Pieter Cox (Chairperson on Sasol) and Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS). Profs Coetzee, Retief and Mouton are former rectors of the UFS.
UFS launches history book The University of the Free State (UFS) today launched its history book titled, From Grey to Gold, on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein. “The history of the UFS is one of faith, hope, struggle and determination. The book tells a fascinating story that stretches over a 100 years. It is divided into five main phases, which tells about the growth of the UFS from a poor Free State community to a mature university. Interesting stories about student days, sport, rag and hostel activities are included in each phase,” Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor said during the launch of the book. “One cannot know where you are going if you don’t know where you are coming from. You have a clearer idea of the issues facing an institution if you know the history. A book like this one is also an important source of reference for staff on the campus,” said Prof Fourie. The first research for the book was done from 1999-2003 by Prof Leo Barnard from the Department of History and a team of researchers. They also compiled the first manuscript. During the last three years, Prof Fourie was closely involved with the writing of the final phase and finishing off the history book project. “It was an honour to be so closely involved with the story of the UFS because now I have a better understanding of the institution, its people, its culture and its way of thinking. For any rector of a university, such an understanding of its institution is a requirement,” Prof Fourie said. The book is partly sponsored by Sasol. During the launch of the book, Mr Pieter Cox, Chairperson of Sasol said the company and the UFS have been partners for 57 years. “Both Sasol and the UFS are striving for excellence – Sasol for excellence in technology and the UFS for excellence in education,” said Mr Cox. “It was an easy decision when the UFS approached Sasol for financial support of the history book. Its a formidable piece of work, something Prof Fourie and the UFS can be proud of,” said Mr Cox. The book consists of more than 500 pages with hundreds of photos and a wide range of supplements of office-bearers, awards and achievements (including national and sporting colours). A timeline framework, putting the history of the UFS in context with the history of the Free State, South Africa and of the world, is also included. Besides the supplements, the history book also tells the story of amongst others the establishment of the UFS; the role of its founding fathers; black pioneers of transformation; the establishment and development of academic departments and faculties; student numbers; pioneers and trends in research; academic entrepreneurs; campus issues and campus politics; interesting facts and stories about student life (rag, intervarsity and cheerleaders, sport and the Springboks, hostel traditions); the admission of black students and anguish about race; language and culture; the development of the Main Campus; the Tickey and the Banana and much more. Emphasis is placed on a very high level of quality. “It is not every day that the university becomes hundred years old and the institution will be measured by the quality of the book. We cannot say the UFS is a university of excellence if the book does not reflect that,” Ms Edma Pelzer, Director: Physical Resources and Special Projects said. Ms Pelzer managed the project as part of the last mentioned part of her portfolio. The search for photographs was an important aspect of the book and it was a big task to find photographs and write captions. It took almost a year to translate and prepare the English edition and almost ten months to ensure the accuracy thereof, especially to correctly translate the typical Free State and UFS terminology and naturally to complete the English manuscript’s layout and proofreading. In the mean time the cover pages were designed and in September 2006 the manuscript went into the final print process. The Afrikaans title is: Van Sink tot Sandsteen tot Graniet. The cost of the book is R380 per copy. Those who already ordered the book will soon receive their copy. Orders can be placed by contacting Mr Dawid Kriel at UFS Marketing on 051 401 3409 or on the UFS web site at www.ufs.ac.za. The book is also available at Van Schaik Book Store on the Thakaneng Bridge, UFS Main Campus and at Fascination Books in Mimosa Mall, Bloemfontein. Media release Issued by: Lacea Loader Media Representative Tel: (051) 401-2584 Cell: 083 645 2454 E-mail: loaderl@mail.uovs.ac.za 2 February 2007

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