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UFS Department of Geology co-host of GeoCongress 2025

25 March 2025 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

The Department of Geology at the UFS is co-hosting this year’s GeoCongress 2025 with the Geological Society of South Africa. Pictured is Dr Martin Clark, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geology and convener of the congress.

The Department of Geology in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) and the Geological Society of South Africa will co-host GeoCongress 2025, set to take place from 23 to 27 June 2025 on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. This prestigious biennial academic event, themed: Embracing change through collaboration, will bring together leading academics, students, and industry experts from across South Africa to explore the latest advancements in geosciences.

The congress reflects the university's commitment to academic excellence, quality, and impact – core tenets of its UFS Vision 130. As a research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged university, the UFS continues to transform itself to stay relevant within the dynamic and ever-changing international higher education sphere.

Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, says “The university is proud to co-host this major gathering of established and emerging earth scientists from a variety of disciplines, who will present relevant, timely research topics to a wider audience. The theme underscores the centrality of geosciences to our aspirations as a university for the country and continent, directing us towards a collective sustainable future. We are excited by the ideas to be featured at this conference. More importantly, we are inspired by the prospect of further promoting real interaction and innovation between academia, industry, and society for impactful change.”

A platform for scientific excellence

It is fitting for the UFS to co-host this event, as geologists in the Department of Geology as well as in the province have made significant contributions across multiple fields, including economic geology, palaeontology, and geomorphology.

In the Department of Geology, for instance, researchers are exploring a wide range of topics, including magmatic processes in the platinum-group-bearing Bushveld Igneous Complex, AI-driven prospectivity modelling of global deposits, meteorite impact-related processes in the Vredefort impact structure, and geological and structural studies in the Namaqualand region.

In the Free State, known for its rich mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, and coal, geologists have played a big role in exploring and developing these resources, particularly in the Free State Goldfields, one of South Africa’s leading gold-producing areas. The province also boasts significant coal deposits, important for power generation. In palaeontology, geologists have helped uncover valuable fossil sites, including the Florisbad hominid site, offering insights into the history of life on earth. Additionally, their research in geomorphology, especially around the Florisbad area, has shed light on unique landscapes and depositional environments, including lunette dunes.

In agriculture, geologists have worked closely with farmers to ensure sustainable land use, providing important information on soil composition and erosion prevention. They have also played a key role in the study of groundwater resources, helping to identify and assess borehole sites for irrigation and domestic water supply, which is key to farming in the region. The Institute for Groundwater Studies (IGS) at the UFS is the only institute in South Africa dedicated to geohydrology. Founded in 1974 by Prof FDI Hodgson, the IGS is the oldest institute at the university and has produced more than 1 000 postgraduate students. The institute conducts research on a wide variety of water-related topics. Of special interest is its contribution to the mining and industrial sectors in terms of water management, minimisation of pollution, as well as understanding the nature and behaviour of South Africa's aquifers. The IGS provides a complete service to these industries through field investigations, the development of specialised field equipment, an accredited laboratory, and computer models for aquifer management.

Building on these contributions in the field, GeoCongress 2025 marks an important event on South Africa’s geoscience calendar, showcasing the latest scientific advancements, innovative research, and practical applications shaping the industry. With engaging academic sessions, dynamic workshops, and practical field excursions, the conference offers attendees the opportunity to participate in meaningful discussions, attend insightful presentations, and take part in excursions that bring theory to life.

Opportunities for networking and growth

GeoCongress 2025 is more than just an academic gathering – it is an opportunity for professional growth and networking. Participants will meet peers, mentors, and industry leaders, establishing connections that can lead to new research projects and collaborations.

There is plenty to look forward to at this year's conference. Here are the key dates and event highlights for GeoCongress 2025.

• Call for abstracts: Closes on 31 March 2025

• Early bird registration: Closes on 31 March 2025

• Final registration deadline: Closes on 22 June 2025

Event highlights:

• 23 and 24 June 2025: Pre-conference workshops and field trips

• 25 to 27 June 2025: Conference programme featuring keynote speakers, academic sessions, and networking opportunities

Registration fees:

• Standard registration: R3 500 (from 1 February 2025)

• Students and retirees: Flat rate of R500 (proof of registration required for students)

Additional costs:

• Workshops and one-day excursions: Visit the GeoCongress website for information on the costs

• Conference/gala dinner: R500

For more information, please contact us at secretariat@geocongress2025.org.za.

News Archive

Academic and security arrangements on the Bloemfontein and South Campuses for the coming week

2016-02-28

All academic and administrative services on the Bloemfontein and South Campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) will resume on Monday 29 February 2016.

The following academic and security arrangements have been put in place:

1. Academic arrangements:
It is important to remember that losing an academic week has major implications for all students, particularly for first-year students, and for purposes of academic planning. The university will therefore resume its normal work on Monday 29 February 2016. Losing any additional time will severely disadvantage students, especially those who desperately need the time to catch up with lectures ahead of the coming tests and examinations. Many more students will struggle to complete the academic year if any further time is lost.

In order to ensure that the academic work of the university is not undermined, the UFS will extend this academic term by one week. This will allow the completion of the work scheduled for last week. Given the impact that disruptions had on the emotions and concentration of many of our students, academics are requested to manage the setting and re-setting of all tests and assignments scheduled for last week with sensitivity, and to be supportive of students as they re-start their academic work. No student should be disadvantaged in terms of tests or assignments as a result of last week’s closure. We know you would do this anyway, but this is a reminder to all staff of what we expect to be a common approach and understanding on the part of lecturers.

We rely on the leadership of the deans in the seven faculties to support staff and students in dealing with the lost time in the most appropriate manner and in supporting all efforts to refocus energies on the academic project.

As the senior leadership and management of the university, we will continue to do everything in our power to make sure that the academic programme continues uninterrupted.

2. Security arrangements:
The Bloemfontein Campus is secure and we have more than doubled the security arrangements, with the interdict firmly in place.

The university management condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence that took place at Xerox Shimla Park on the night of Monday 22 February 2016. It also condemns the disruptions of the university that followed Monday’s event, which resulted in the suspension of academic and administrative activities on the Bloemfontein Campus. In line with the terms of the interdict - and now that we are at full capacity to secure this very large and spread-out campus - the university will act swiftly and firmly if any protests or disruption recur.

The following security arrangements are in place:
2.1 Staff and students must have their staff and student cards with them when entering the campus. Passengers in motor vehicles will have to present their cards to security personnel before access could be granted. Security personnel will check this physically by verifying that each person has a valid staff or student card.

2.2 Buses will not be allowed to enter the campus and passengers will have to be dropped off outside the gates - passengers will enter through the turnstiles with their valid access cards. Anyone without a valid access card will have to go to the Visitors Centre and present positive proof of ID (SA ID, passport or driver’s licence).

2.3 Pedestrians will have to swipe their cards at the turnstiles at the gates. Those without cards will have to enter through the Visitors Centre by presenting positive proof of ID (SA ID, passport or driver’s licence).

2.4 Visitors must report to the Visitors Centre (at Gate 5 in DF Malherbe Drive) and present positive proof of ID (SA ID, passport or driver’s licence).

2.5 Due to anticipated delays, it is advised that people allow some additional time when planning their routes to campus and to also make use of the less busy gates, such as Gate 4 (Furstenburg Road) and Gate 2 (Roosmaryn Residence).

2.6 It is advised that walkways be used, especially at night, and that pedestrians should keep to areas that are well lit.

Security helpline: +27(0)51 401 2911 | +27(0)51 401 2634.

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