Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

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

Shortage of quantity surveyors discussed at UFS

2006-03-24

During the recent visit of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) to the University of the Free State (UFS) were from the left Mr Egon Wortmann (Director: ASAQS), Prof Basie Verster (representative of the Free State on the ASAQS and head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the UFS), Mr Greyling Venter (Chairperson: Free State branch of the ASAQS), Prof DG Brümmer(Vice-President: ASAQS) and Mr Patrick Waterson (President: ASAQS).
Photo supplied

Shortage of quantity surveyors discussed at UFS

“The South African building industry is experiencing an unprecedented high level of economic growth and prosperity. This is causing a definite shortage of registered quantity surveyors,” said Mr Egon Wortmann, Director of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors(ASAQS) during the association’s recent visit to the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS).

“This shortage is especially noticeable in local and national governments where unqualified and inexperienced staff, consultants and/or facilitators are now appointed,” said Mr Wortmann.

In doing so, the authorities that have adopted this approach are according to Mr Wortmann actually acting illegally and are not in compliance with the legal and statutory requirements of South Africa. “These unprofessional practices are unproductive, it leads to frustration and is strongly condemned by the ASAQS,” he said.

“The service delivery of these unqualified and unregistered service providers is often sub standard and does not comply to the legal requirements of the profession. It may also result in the tarnishing of the image and high professional standards set by the quantity surveying profession,” said Mr Wortmann.

“Universities offering programmes in quantity-surveying and construction management are also negatively affected by the high levels of activity in the building environment. Suitable lecturing staff are leaving the academic institutions as they are attracted to better opportunities being offered in the building industry. The ability of the tertiary institutions to attract young academics, to train them and to keep them in the longer term, is therefore almost impossible”, said Prof Basie Verster, head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the UFS and representative of the Free State on the ASAQS.

According to Prof Verster the UFS supplies more than its quota of qualified quantity surveyors to the South African building industry. “Although more than 460 students are registered in construction related programmes at the UFS, we are as the ASAQS’s concerned about the shortage of students that can enter the construction industry. In our case, we are experiencing a shortage in black female students,” he said.

“Of the 460 postgraduate students, 38% are black of which 20% are female students. Graduates do also not necessarily stay in the country. As the UFS’s programmes are accredited overseas, a lot of our students leave the country for working opportunities elsewhere,” said Prof Verster.

Mr Patrick Waterson, President of the ASAQS, appealed to quantity surveyors to, when they are approached, consider academic careers or to make themselves available to lecture on a part time basis. “I also appeal to quantity-surveying practices, construction companies and developers to consider taking part in training activities,” he said.

The ASAQS has over the years developed a proud tradition within the quantity-surveying profession. Consequently membership of this organisation is a sought after goal for many members within the building environment. International agreements with various countries are also in place whereby it is mutually agreed that local as well as overseas qualifications are mutually acceptable on a reciprocal basis.

A more recent addition to the list of agreements is the reciprocity agreement entered into with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which makes it possible for South African based quantity surveyors to practice in over 120 countries worldwide.

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

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept