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UFS welcomes GeoCongress 2025 delegates

02 June 2025 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

Dr Martin Clark, chair of the local organising committee, is looking forward to welcoming delegates to the GeoCongress.

In just more than three weeks, the University of the Free State (UFS) will open its doors to delegates attending GeoCongress 2025, hosted in collaboration with the Geological Society of South Africa. From 23 to 27 June 2025, academics, industry professionals, and students will come together on the Bloemfontein Campus to share knowledge, discuss new research, and connect with peers in the geosciences.

This biennial event will feature a dynamic programme of workshops, keynote addresses, and presentations covering a broad range of topics in the field.

Message from the event organisers and UFS leadership

“It is a unique honour to be able to host the national GeoCongress, being responsible for bringing together our partners in industry and academia to share our evolving understanding of the rocks, minerals, and advances in the geosciences and associated disciplines. My view of the GeoCongress stems from my appreciation and understanding of one of South Africa’s most highly regarded geologists, Dr Hans Merensky. Dr Merensky is credited with finding platinum in the Bushveld, diamonds in Namaqualand, and phosphorus and vermiculite in Phalaborwa. However, less remember was Dr Merensky’s ability to coordinate comprehensive investigations of rocks, and his tenacity in exploring across the South African landscape. For this, I believe our theme Embracing Change through Collaboration is apt, since it's through interactions between various sectors that we are best able to handle the challenges of tomorrow,” comments Dr Martin Clark, Senior Lecturer in the UFS Department of Geology and principal investigator of the Merensky Group for Airborne Geological Image Classification (MAGIC) at the Department of Geology.

“The 2025 GeoCongress symbolises the principles of sustainable research and innovation that we advocate for in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and underscores our dedication to the development of interdisciplinary collaboration. Research collaboration through our Green and Complex Research Hubs is consistent with the congress theme of ‘Embracing Change Through Collaboration’. By integrating geoscience research with broader sustainability and technological advancements, we guarantee that our scientific discoveries make a significant contribution to both environmental stewardship and industry," said Prof Paul Oberholster, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Outstanding line-up of attendees

GeoCongress 2025 is set to bring together some of the most influential minds in geoscience, creating a space where leading academics, industry experts, and emerging researchers can exchange ideas and insights. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with key figures shaping the field, including Prof Glen Nwaila, Director of the Wits Mining Institute and a leading authority in economic geology and geometallurgy at the University of the Witwatersrand; Prof John Carranza, a highly regarded researcher at the UFS; and Sifiso Siwela, Chairperson of the SAMCODES Standards Committee and past president of the Geological Society of South Africa.

Adding to the wealth of expertise, Dr Geoffrey Howarth, Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town and Head of the Electron Microprobe Facility, will bring his knowledge in mineral studies, while Prof Susan Webb, Associate Professor of Geophysics at the University of the Witwatersrand and acting co-director of the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Integrated Mineral and Energy Resource Analysis (CIMERA), will share her insights into geophysical research. Dr Hayley Cawthra, specialist scientist at the Council for Geoscience, will contribute her expertise in coastal geology, and Prof Steve McCourt, President of the Geological Society of South Africa and Professor Emeritus at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, will bring his experience in structural geology. The line-up also includes Prof Wolfgang Maier from Cardiff University, whose research on magmatic ore deposits continues to influence the field.

To make the most of your GeoCongress 2025 experience, be sure to take full advantage of the networking opportunities – from informal meet-and-greets to engaging panel discussions. Don't miss the chance to attend hands-on workshops and exciting field excursions. These excursions offer a deeper look into the country’s rich geological history, with opportunities to visit Florisbad, Kimberley, the Beatrix operations in the Goldfields, or the Drakensberg. For more tips on navigating the congress and must-see highlights, visit the GeoCongress 2025 website at https://geocongress2025.org.za/ or contact us at secretariat@geocongress2025.org.za.

GeoCongress 2025 is set to be a landmark event on the geosciences calendar. With the UFS as your host, prepare for an experience that combines academic excellence, innovation, and a collaborative spirit. Welcome to GeoCongress 2025!

News Archive

UFS staff get salary increase of at least 7,25%

2007-11-20

During the signing of the UFS's salary agreement were, from the left: Mr Olehile Moeng (Chairperson of NEHAWU), Prof. Frederick Fourie (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS), and Prof. Johan Grobbelaar (Chairperson of UVPERSU and spokesperson of the Joint Union Forum).

UFS staff get salary increase of at least 7,25%

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) management and trade unions have agreed on an increase of 9,32% in the service benefits of staff for 2008. This includes a general minimum salary increase of 7,25%.

A once-off non-pensionable bonus of R3 000 will be paid in December 2007.

The agreement was signed today by representatives of the UFS management and the trade unions, UVPERSU and NEHAWU.

“As the state subsidy level is unfortunately not yet known, remuneration could vary several percentage points between a window of 7,25 and 8,39%,” said Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

Should the government subsidy be such that the increase falls outside the window of 8,39%, the parties will negotiate again.

The bonus will be paid to staff members who were employed by the UFS on UFS conditions of service on 14 November 2007 and who assumed duties before 1 October 2007.

The bonus is payable in December 2007 in recognition of the role played by staff during the year to promote the UFS as a university of excellence and as confirmation of the role and effectiveness of the remuneration model.

“It is important to note that this bonus can be paid due to the favourable financial outcome of 2007,” said Prof. Fourie.

“Our intention is to pass the maximum benefit possible on to staff without exceeding the limits of financial sustainability of the institution. For this reason, the negotiating parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Multiple-year Income-related Remuneration Improvement Model used as a framework for negotiations. The model and its applications are unique and has as a point of departure that the UFS must be and remain financially sustainable,” said Prof. Fourie and Prof. Johan Grobbelaar, Chairperson of UVPERSU and Spokesperson of the Joint Union Forum.

The agreement provides for the phasing in of fringe benefits of contract appointments for 2008. This includes the implementation of a pension/provident fund, housing allowance and the medical fund allowance as from 1 January 2008 to staff who are appointed on a contract basis.

Agreement was also reached that 1,0% will be allocated for structural adjustments in order to partially address the backlog in respect of remuneration packages of other higher education institutions. These adjustments will be made after further investigations during 2008.

The post levels that have been earmarked for adjustment are academic staff (associate professor, professor and dean) as well as certain post levels in the support services.

An additional R500 000 will be allocated to accelerate the rate of phasing in the medical fund allowances.

The implementation date for the salary adjustments is 1 January 2008, but could possibly be implemented only at a later stage due to logistical reasons. The adjustment will be calculated on the remuneration package.

The agreement also applies to all staff members of the Vista and Qwaqwa Campuses whose conditions of employment have already been aligned with those of the Main Campus.

Prof. Grobbelaar said that salary negotiations were never easy, but the model is an important tool. He said the Joint Union Forum illustrates that people from different groups can work together if they share the same commitment and goal.

In 2007, a total salary adjustment of 5,7% and a once-off non-pensionable bonus of R2 000 was paid to staff.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
20 November 2007

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