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UFS to establish South Africa’s second veterinary training facility

16 June 2025 | Story Martinette Brits | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State (UFS) is advancing plans to establish a new veterinary science programme – set to become only the second of its kind in South Africa. This initiative includes the development of a professionally accredited Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) degree and a state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital on the South Campus in Bloemfontein. It will also leverage the university’s Paradys Experimental Farm, home to advanced agricultural infrastructure and established production animal herds.

“The UFS is planning a new veterinary programme, strategically supported by the unique infrastructure and resources of its South Campus,” says Prof Johan van Niekerk, Vice-Dean of Agriculture in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. “Located in close proximity to the Paradys Experimental Farm, the campus provides an ideal environment for practical veterinary training. The farm’s real-world livestock systems will offer students invaluable experiential learning opportunities in animal care, disease management, and sustainable agriculture.”

In her installation address delivered on Monday 9 June 2025, Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, highlighted the importance of this development, noting that it will position the university as a key contributor to veterinary science education in South Africa. "The establishment of a veterinary science programme at the UFS reflects our commitment to transdisciplinary research and addressing national priorities through innovation in higher education. This initiative not only strengthens our role in advancing food security, animal health, and sustainable agriculture, but also positions the UFS as a pivotal contributor to the continent’s development goals in these critical sectors."

This move comes in direct response to the country’s pressing need for more veterinary professionals, a shortage that poses risks to food security, animal welfare, public health, and agricultural productivity.

According to a report by the Western Cape Government (South Africa is Bleeding Veterinarians, February 2023), South Africa has only 60 to 70 veterinarians per million people – far below the international norm of 200 to 400 per million. This critical gap underscores the urgency of expanding veterinary education and training opportunities.

“This initiative directly addresses a national priority while aligning with continental and global aspirations towards sustainable development – especially in the areas of modern agriculture, food security, and environmental sustainability,” says Dr Nalize Scheepers from the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development.

Building a foundation for veterinary excellence

Although still in the early stages, the project has received in-principle approval from the Minister of Higher Education and Training, the Department of Agriculture (DoA), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC).

The university has been exploring the feasibility of this programme for the past five years, involving consultations with various stakeholders in the higher education and veterinary sectors. "As a public higher education institution, we are subject to national regulation and will confirm commencement dates once final approval and accreditation of the qualification are secured," says Dr Scheepers.

As part of this initiative, a veterinary academic hospital is planned on the South Campus. “The facility will feature clinical training facilities – providing students with supervised, hands-on experience in animal diagnosis, surgery, and treatment; public veterinary services – offering essential care to local farmers, livestock owners, and pet owners in the surrounding communities; and research support – enabling applied research in critical areas such as animal health, epidemiology, and public health,” says Prof van Niekerk.

Beyond supporting academic excellence, the planned hospital will play a vital role in serving the wider agricultural community. “The hospital will address the urgent shortage of veterinary services in the region and contribute to the province’s animal health and food security goals,” he adds.

Initially, the BVSc degree will be offered within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, with plans to establish a dedicated School of Veterinary Science as the programme develops. The initiative also supports the UFS One Health Initiative, creating broad opportunities for research and development.

News Archive

"Service" needs to return to public service

2010-09-14

At the memorial lecture were, from the left, front: Chris Hendriks, Proff. Liezel Lues, Chris Thornhill and Lyndon du Plessis; middle: Prof. Hendri Kroukamp, Mss Alet Fouche, Lizette Pretorius; and back: Proff. Koos Bekker and Moses Sindane.
– Photo: Stephen Collett.

There is a serious need for the concept of “service” to be reintroduced to the public service. In addition to this, public servants need to behave ethically and honestly if the public service were to achieve its main aim of service delivery to South African citizens and thereby also restore the trust of citizens in the state.

This was the central theme of the JN Boshoff Commemorative Lecture hosted by the Department of Public Administration and Management at the University of the Free State UFS). The lecture by Prof. Chris Thornhill, emeritus professor of Public Administration and Management at the University of Pretoria, focused on “Administrative and Governmental Challenges: Lessons from the Past”. He drew pertinent parallels with the administrative and governmental practices during the times of Pres. JN Boshoff, second president of the Orange Free State in 1855, and the challenges faced in this regard by the current government and public service.

Prof. Thornhill highlighted important aspects such as globalisation, the environment, public service and democratic government in his presentation.
He said the borders between countries have all but vanished and governments therefore have to carefully consider the effects of globalisation on its domestic affairs. The strength of a country’s currency, for example, was not only determined by how that country viewed or perceived it, but also by the international community’s perception of that country’s political and economic stability. This, in turn, could have serious implications for that country’s investment and economic prospects.

Governments are compelled to attend to the utilisation of its natural resources as these resources are finite and therefore irreplaceable. Policy interventions have to be introduced to decrease or regulate the use of certain natural resources or alternative measures need to be introduced. The example of bio-fuel production in various countries was highlighted.

He said the South African public service is characterised by three debilitating factors, namely the prevalence of corruption, the interference of politicians in administrative functions and a lack of appropriate skills and therefore a lack of commitment on the part of officials. In the municipal sector, for example, 46% of municipal managers have less than one year’s experience and this mainly occurs because of the practice of deployment (the appointment of a person based on political affiliation). An amendment to the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act is currently under consideration, in terms of which municipal managers will be disallowed to hold party political positions simultaneously.

According to Prof. Thornhill this is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to neutralise the impact of these debilitating factors in order to restore the credibility of the public service.

On democratic government Prof. Thornhill said the fact that the majority of a country’s citizens elect a political party to power does not automatically make the government capable of governing effectively and efficiently. It is therefore important for the rulers to understand their governing role within a democratic context, but more importantly to act accordingly. It is also important not to centralise power unduly as this could be a serious threat to accountable government. The 17th amendment to the Constitution, 1996, currently under consideration, and in terms of which national and provincial government will be allowed to intervene in local government matters, was highlighted as a case in point.

Prof. Thornhill said it was essential for those involved to sincerely and honestly and ethically deal with the above matters for the public service to overcome current challenges.

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