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UFS Researcher expands global reach through prestigious Fellowship at Ghent University

25 June 2025 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo Lunga Luthuli

Dr Omololu Aluko, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biostatistics in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), recently completed a prestigious short research stay at Ghent University in Belgium. The fellowship, hosted in April 2025, was awarded through the highly competitive Africa Platform of Ghent University Association (GAP) funding scheme, with additional support from the UFS International Office.

A recognised expert in infectious disease modelling, particularly HIV/AIDS research in low-resource settings, Dr Aluko has devoted his academic career to using biostatistics to address pressing health challenges. His selection for this fellowship marks a significant achievement both for his individual research trajectory and for the broader ambitions of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the UFS.

Strategic steps towards international collaboration

The opportunity for the fellowship was first announced in the UFS Digest Newsletter. Motivated by the potential for international collaboration, Dr Aluko began seeking a host at Ghent University whose interests aligned with his own. After several weeks of correspondence with various departments and researchers, a suitable academic collaborator agreed to host him.

With a host confirmed, Dr Aluko submitted his application, which underwent a rigorous review and selection process. His proposal was shortlisted and ultimately approved. While Ghent University provided partial funding, supplementary financial support was secured through the UFS International Office. Dr Aluko credits the office’s assistance – especially the guidance of Mr Kagiso Ngake, Senior Officer: Partnerships – for helping him successfully secure the necessary resources.

Advancing research in health data science

During his time at Ghent University, Dr Aluko focused on the application of machine learning algorithms to address public health challenges – an increasingly important field within the Faculty of Health Sciences. His research demonstrated how advanced data analysis techniques can improve health outcomes and optimise treatment strategies, especially in resource-constrained settings.

Beyond the immediate research achievements, the fellowship laid a foundation for long-term collaboration between the UFS and Ghent University. Key outcomes include:

Opportunities for joint PhD supervision, allowing UFS students to conduct part of their research at Ghent University
Prospects for publishing collaborative research in leading international A1-rated journals
The identification of a promising young research collaborator, paving the way for future academic partnerships
Plans to explore future staff exchange programmes, as new funding calls are announced

A growing partnership in a new academic field

Dr Annelies Verdoolaege, Coordinator for the Africa Platform at Ghent University, emphasised the broader vision behind the initiative:

“The purpose of these fellowships is to foster structural academic collaboration between Ghent University and partners in Africa. We offer a dedicated amount of seed funding to support short-term mobility, with the aim of building long-term partnerships – through student exchange, joint PhDs, joint funding proposals, and collaborative research publications.

The UFS is a long-standing partner of Ghent University, especially in Education, Linguistics, and Agriculture. We are delighted that this fellowship has taken place in the field of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling - a scientific domain still to be fully developed between our institutions.”

Enhancing UFS’ global research impact

Dr Aluko’s successful fellowship reflects the high calibre of researchers at the UFS and illustrates the importance of international academic mobility. By securing this competitive opportunity, Dr Aluko not only advanced his own work but also strengthened the UFS’ global research footprint - opening new collaborative avenues and reinforcing the university's growing reputation in health sciences and data-driven research.

The UFS expresses its sincere gratitude to the Africa Platform of Ghent University and the UFS International Office for their critical support in enabling this milestone. Partnerships such as this are key to fulfilling the UFS’ mission of producing world-class research and fostering meaningful global engagement.

News Archive

UFS Council unanimously reappoints Dr Khotso Mokhele as Chancellor

2015-04-02

Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the University of the Free State

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) unanimously reappointed Dr Khotso Mokhele as Chancellor during its quarterly meeting held on 13 March 2015. He was first appointed in this portfolio by the Council on 4 June 2010.

“It is an honour for the Council to reappoint someone of this stature as Chancellor of the UFS. With his solid academic background and high profile in the business world, Dr Mokhele has been a great asset to the UFS. On behalf of the Council and the university community, I extend a word of appreciation for the work he has done during his first term as Chancellor of the UFS. He is an exceptional leader, and the university community is looking forward to have him as Chancellor for a second term,” said Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the UFS Council.

Dr Mokhele was awarded a BSc Agriculture from Fort Hare University, and continued his studies at the University of California Davis (USA) on the Fulbright-Hays Scholarship Programme, completing his MSc (Food Science) and PhD (Microbiology). He was subsequently a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (USA) and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (USA). Dr Mokhele is the recipient of honorary doctorates from nine South African universities including the UFS, and from Rutgers University in the USA.

He was Chairman of the Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee for Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland (2007-2011), and served on the South Africa at Large Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee for more than 10 years. As President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation for Research Development (1996-1999) and the NRF from 1999 to 2006, Dr Mokhele played a central role in providing visionary and strategic direction to the South African science system. He was the Founder President of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), Founder President and CEO of the National Research Foundation (NRF), Chairperson of the Economic Advisory Council to the Premier of the Free State (2001-2004), and a member of the Advisory Council on Innovation to the Minister of Science and Technology (2003-2007). His role in securing government and international support for the Southern African Large Telescope Project (SALT) is evidence of his dedication to science in South Africa. The success of this project laid the basis for South Africa being selected to host more than 70% of the Square Kilometre Array, an international mega telescope for radio astronomy.

In recognition of his contribution to the development of science, he was the recipient of the Technology Top 100 Lifetime Achievers Award in 2009 and the National Science and Technology Forum Award in 2005. His role in science is recognised internationally. He was an elected Vice-President: Scientific Planning and Review of the International Council for Science and Chairperson of its Committee for Scientific Planning and Review (2005-2008) as well as a member of the Committee on Developing and Transition Economy Countries of the International Social Science Council (2008-2010). He also represented South Africa on the executive board of UNESCO, and was awarded the Member Legion of Honour of the Republic of France for his work in strengthening scientific ties between South Africa and France.

Dr Mokhele currently serves as Special Advisor to the Minister of Science and Technology, the Honourable Naledi Pandor. His current corporate positions include: Non-Executive Chairman: Board of Directors, Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd (Implats); Lead Independent Non-Executive Director: African Oxygen Ltd (Afrox); Non-Executive Director of Zimbabwe Platinum Holdings Ltd (Zimplats); Hans Merensky Holdings Ltd; and Tiger Brands Ltd. He is the President of the Hans Merensky Foundation (South Africa) and a Trustee of SciDev.Net (a web-based scientific magazine based in London, UK) and Start International Inc (USA).

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