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UFS urban scholar Prof Ivan Turok honoured with global award

10 July 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Supplied

Prof Ivan Turok, who holds the National Research Foundation (NRF) Chair in City-Region Economies in the Department of Economics and Finance in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), has been named a recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Service Award by the Regional Studies Association (RSA).

This international recognition celebrates Prof Turok’s significant contribution to the field of urban and regional research, both globally and on the African continent.

A longstanding member of the RSA, Prof Turok has served as Editor-in-Chief of Regional Studies and as Editor of Area Development and Policy, two of the Association’s six academic journals. He also served on the RSA Board between 2014 and 2018. The RSA is a UK-based learned society and the foremost global forum for city and regional research, development and policy. It manages six international journals, two book series, and hosts several international conferences annually. The award highlights not only his leadership in global academic spaces but also his efforts in representing scholarship from the global South.

“This recognition is a testament to the calibre of scholars within the EMS Faculty and thus significantly enhances the faculty’s research profile and global reputation,” said Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Vice-Dean for Research, Engagement and Internationalisation in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

Championing urban development in Africa

Prof Turok’s research has focused on the economic structure and performance of cities in South Africa and across the continent. He has analysed the obstacles to faster economic growth and development and the key interventions required to support accelerated investment and job creation. These include public infrastructure investment and improved land-use management to create more functional, efficient cities.

With over 150 academic journal articles and 15 books and monographs to his name, Prof Turok is one of the most highly cited urban and regional development scholars in the world.

“Receiving the Distinguished Service Award is a great honour, particularly in representing academics from the global South,” he said. “Africa faces unprecedented challenges in managing rapid urbanisation, but also unique opportunities for cities to transform its development trajectory. More research is vital to inform the tough policy choices facing governments.”

He believes cities are “remarkable vehicles” for accelerated growth and inclusive development. “The concentration of human, private and public capital generates positive value and fosters learning, creativity, and innovation,” he added.

Improved evidence and understanding of urban economic systems and dynamics, he argues, are essential for harnessing the youthful energy of African cities. “Universities have a vital role to play in generating the knowledge, capabilities, and strategic intelligence required by governments, civil society, business, and communities to make African cities and regions more prosperous, inclusive, and resilient.”

Prof Neneh said the award reconfirms Prof Turok’s global standing in regional and urban economics. “He fills a significant gap by applying spatial economics to urban and regional development in an integrated manner – this is especially of value in Africa, where it has been neglected.”

Prof Turok encourages young scholars to explore opportunities offered by the RSA, describing it as a welcoming and dynamic space to learn, connect, and grow. “It is a very friendly and supportive forum, with various special schemes and grants to help young scholars participate in conferences, publish in journals, and learn from each other.”

News Archive

Ensure your place at the UFS

2010-10-27

The University of the Free State (UFS) appeals to all prospective South African students who want to come and study at the UFS in 2011 to submit their applications no later than Tuesday, 30 November 2010.

The UFS is aware of the fact that learners will not have received their final Grade 12 results by Tuesday, 30 November 2010; therefore provisional admission will be granted based on learners’ most recent Grade 12 results. Final admission will take place upon receipt of the final Grade 12 results, which will be available early in January 2011.

Prospective students can obtain application forms for admission at the following places:

The UFS’s web site at www.ufs.ac.za,
The Information Office (Unit for Prospective Students) at the Thakaneng Bridge on the UFS’s Main Campus in Bloemfontein,
You may also send an e-mail to info@ufs.ac.za or
Phone 051 401 3000 and the necessary forms will be posted to you.

Senior undergraduate students (that is all students who were registered up to and during 2010 at the UFS) as well as post-graduate students, must self-register electronically on-line from Monday, 1 November 2010 until Tuesday, 4 January 2011. This includes master’s and doctoral students.

In order to encourage senior students to register online, the UFS offers 20 laptops as incentives for the senior students who successfully register online from 1 November 2010. These laptops will be handed over to the winners after the registration process in 2011.

Registration of first-year students:

The Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, will welcome first-year students on Friday, 14 January and Saturday, 15 January 2011, respectively, in the Callie Human Centre. The Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences, the Humanities and Education will be welcomed on 14 January 2011 and the students of the Faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Law and Theology shall be welcomed on 15 January 2011. The compulsory orientation programme for new first-years will also then commence.

From 17 to 21 January 2011 first-year students will receive academic advice at the Callie Human Centre, whereafter they will be referred for self-registration. These processes will take place according to the set timetable. This timetable is available in the Kovsie Guide that will be sent to learners as soon as we have received their applications, as well as on the web site of the UFS at www.ufs.ac.za/register2011.

First-year students’ fees must be paid prior to arrival on 14 and 15 January 2011.

Registration of senior students:

Senior students who experience problems with the electronic on-line self-registration process have the opportunity to resolve problems within a programme on campus from Wednesday, 5 January until Wednesday, 12 January 2011. This programme will be sent out to students and is also available at www.ufs.ac.za/register2011. The specific scheduled day for senior students to resolve problems is the last and only day to resolve the problem.

Senior students can also contact 051 401 9111 for more information in this regard.

Students may register for prescribed modules for 2011, even though the November 2010 examination results are not yet available. Changes resulting from examination results that are made available later can be done up to and including 28 January 2011.

In terms of applications for senior students, only students who have interrupted a calendar year of study need to re-apply for admission.

Registration of students at the UFS’s Qwaqwa Campus:

Senior and first-year students of the UFS’s Qwaqwa Campus register from Wednesday, 12 January until Friday, 28 January 2011 in the Nelson Mandela Hall on this campus.

Registration of students at the UFS South Campus:

First-year students from the UFS’s South Campus in the University Preparation Programme and the Extended Programme (only Natural and Agricultural Sciences) register from Monday, 24 January till Friday, 28 January 2011 in the Arena Hall on the South Campus.

Students who have successfully completed the University Preparation Programme register with the first-year students on the UFS Main Campus on Friday, 14 and Saturday, 15 January 2011 – according to faculties (cf. paragraph 6).

Lectures for all students shall commence on Monday, 24 January 2011.

MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
26 October 2010

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