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MASSTER Project
The University of the Free State (UFS) recently welcomed distinguished international partners for the MASSTER project.
The University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted a group of distinguished international partners as part of the MASSTER project (Managing (South) Africa and Senegal Sustainability Targets through Economic-diversification of Rural-areas). Funded by the European Union Erasmus programme (Project ID 101129023), the project aims to support the agricultural sector in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Senegal by addressing pressing issues such as rural migration, food security, and sustainable development. 

 

What is the MASSTER Project? 

Launched in early 2024, the MASSTER project is an ambitious initiative designed to enhance agricultural development and economic diversification in rural areas across SSA, with a particular focus on Senegal and South Africa. According to Prof Corli Witthuhn from the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development at UFS, who serves as the project’s coordinator, researcher and trainer, MASSTER  seeks to make a lasting impact on the sector. 

“Agriculture plays a vital role in these regions, contributing up to 40% of GDP and providing livelihoods for over 70% of the population. However, challenges such as rural-urban migration and underutilised agricultural potential hinder the growth of this crucial sector,” explains Prof Witthuhn. 

By offering innovative training and educational tools to farmers and agricultural students, the project aims to bridge these gaps.  It involves higher education institutions (HEIs) in community development and focuses on the intersection of agriculture and migration. In doing so, MASSTER contributes to key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including zero hunger, quality education, decent work, and economic growth.


Key objectives of the MASSTER Project

MASSTER collaborates with six partner HEIs in Senegal and South Africa to tackle pressing agricultural and migration challenges. The project focuses on: 

  • Assisting local farmers in implementing income-generating activities.
  • Supporting extension services in delivering relevant training programmes that emphasise economic sustainability.
  • Helping municipalities manage economic migration, particularly from rural areas.

To achieve these objectives, MASSTER analyses the risk factors that drive migration and those that prevent it, designing training programmes that empower current and future farmers to generate income. It also provides Training of Trainers (TOT) to HEIs and extension services, equipping them with skills to deliver impactful training sessions. Additionally, the project helps HEIs develop comprehensive migration management strategies that foster a whole-of-society approach linking agriculture and migration policies. 


A global collaborative effort

The MASSTER project brings together a diverse consortium of partners from Senegal, South Africa and Europe, including: 

  • Senegal: Université Du Sine Saloum El-Hâdj Ibrahima Niass Kaolack (USSEIN), Université Gaston Berger Saint- Louis (UGB), Université Assane Seck de Ziguinchor (UASZ), Interprofessional Center for Training in Agriculture (CIFA)
  • South Africa: University of the Free State (UFS), Stellenbosch University (SU), Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), South African Society for Agricultural Extension (SASAE)
  • Germany: Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf (HSWT)
  • France: Universite D’Aix-Marseille (AMU)
  • Italy: University of Naples Federico II (UNINA)
  • Serbia: Academy of Professional Studies South Serbia and Western Balkans Institute

Benefits for the University of the Free State

The MASSTER project presents significant opportunities for the UFS. It enables researchers to collaborate with international partners on groundbreaking research that addresses urgent agricultural challenges. Prof Witthuhn highlights that the project also provides valuable third-stream funding for the UFS research initiatives, strengthening the university’s broader academic and community development efforts. 

Additionally, UFS researchers gain hands-on experience in European Union grant administration, potentially paving the way for future EU-funded projects. The project fosters direct engagement with local farming communities by offering training that empowers farmers and promotes rural development. Moreover, it enhances the university’s expertise in agricultural sustainability and migration management.


Partners’ visit to UFS

The recent visit by MASSTER project partners to the UFS marked a key milestone in this collaboration. During their stay, the group participated in various activities, including farm visits and discussions aimed at advancing the project’s objectives.

News Archive

Launch of the Africa office of the IIDE
2006-05-25

Attending the launch of the Africa office of the IIDE were from the left Prof Sytse Strijbos (Chairperson of IIDE Europe), Rev Kiepie Jaftha (Chairperson of the IIDE in Africa’s Board of Directors and Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS) and Prof Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS).

 

Attending the launch were from the left Prof Lucius Botes (Director: Centre of Development Support at the UFS), Dr Samuel Kareithi (Head: Community Development at the Cornerstone Christian College, Cape Town), Rev Kiepie Jaftha (Chairperson of the IIDE in Africa’s Board of Directors and Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS), Prof Sytse Strijbos (Chairperson of IIDE Europe) and Dr Ezekiel Moraka (Vice-Rector:  Student Affairs at the UFS).

Africa office of IIDE launched on UFS main campus 

The Africa office of the International Institute for Development and Ethics (IIDE) was today (26 May 2006) launched on the Main Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein.

“The IIDE specialises in the studying and research of general questions of developmental theory and practices and provides services and support in education, strategic planning, policy formulation, advocacy and capacity building of development agencies,” said Rev Kiepie Jaftha, Chairperson of the IIDE in Africa’s Board of Directors and Chief Director: Community Service at the UFS.

According to Rev Jaftha the IIDE in Africa will focus on the conceptual and normative aspects of developmental processes in Sub-Saharan Africa.  “We want to foster local and international partnerships with various relevant role-players in civil society, the private sector and public sector in the SACD region and later expand our operations to the rest of Africa,” said Rev Jaftha.

The IIDE in Africa cooperates with a similar foundation in Europe, functioning as the IIDE Europe.  This institute was founded in 2003 and its head office is situated in the Netherlands.  The UFS is a funder of the IIDE in Africa together with the Paul Foundation and private sponsors from the Netherlands.

“We have already started with various projects which are in various stages of implementation,” said Rev Jaftha.  Some of these projects include, among others, the broadening of the master’s degree in Christian Studies of Science and Society (MACSSS) which is currently housed at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam to tertiary institutions in South Africa such as the UFS, the University of Stellenbosch and the Potchefstroom Campus of the Northwest University.

“Another project is an investigation into the possibility of initiating a broad development initiative in the poverty stricken Qwaqwa area.  This initiative will attempt to concentrate on issues like the training and empowerment of prospective entrepreneurs in the region, the identification of prospective entrepreneurs for the rendering of development support and the monitoring of the impact of information and communication technology on local communities during the implementation of sustainable development initiatives,” said Rev Jaftha.

“The establishment of the Africa office of the IIDE on the UFS Main Campus is an indication of one of the aims of the UFS to play a role in South Africa and Africa.  It also signifies our aim to contribute meaningfully to research and development and to establish links between the academe and practice,” said Rev Jaftha. 

 

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
26 May 2006

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