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14 March 2025 | Story Onthatile Tikoe and Nitha Ramnath | Photo Supplied
Institutional Advancement Donor Event 2025
On 13 March 2025, the University of the Free State’s stakeholders met the UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester C. Klopper, for the first time at the Windmill Casino.

The University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted an exclusive gathering, bringing together esteemed donors, partners, and stakeholders to meet the institution's new Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester C. Klopper.

Held on 13 March 2025, the event provided a unique opportunity for guests to engage with Prof Klopper and gain insight into her vision for the university. The programme featured a thought-provoking yet informal conversation between Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Internationalisation, and Prof Klopper, allowing attendees to explore the Vice-Chancellor's strategic plans and aspirations for the UFS.

"I am deeply committed to fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support between the university and its stakeholders," said Prof Klopper. "Being the first female Vice-Chancellor at the University of the Free State comes with a great responsibility, but I hope that after my tenure, we won’t have to wait another 120 years for another female VC.”

Strengthening relationships with donors

Prof Klopper emphasised the critical role of donors, partners, and stakeholders in the university’s success.

"We recognise that our donors and partners are essential in shaping the future of our institution. By working together, we can create a lasting impact on our students, the university, and society as a whole," she said.

Driving innovation and entrepreneurship

A key focus of Prof Klopper’s vision is fostering an innovation-driven and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Free State Province. She highlighted the university’s commitment to equipping students with not only academic excellence but also the skills to create employment opportunities rather than merely seeking them.

“A shift needs to take place in our country - not only in ensuring the employability of graduates but also in empowering them to generate jobs,” she said.

Some of her proposed initiatives include establishing a UFS enterprise, strengthening collaborations with neighbouring higher education institutions, and prioritising entrepreneurship among students.

“There needs to be a move away from dependence on government funding towards an integrated financial model with diversified revenue streams,” she added. "I also aim to build the brand value of the UFS, as this will ultimately enhance the worth of our students’ qualifications."

Prioritising work-integrated learning and support for young men

Prof Klopper underscored the importance of work-integrated learning, urging industry partners to create internship opportunities and workplace exposure for students.

While Prof Klopper strongly advocates support for opportunities for women, she also voiced her concern about the challenges facing young men in South Africa.

“Young men are not being equipped with the tools to lead communities and households. They must not be overlooked,” she stated.

A milestone event for the UFS community

The event marked a significant milestone in Prof Klopper's tenure as Vice-Chancellor, reinforcing the university's commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships.

Attendees welcomed the opportunity to engage with Prof Klopper in a relaxed setting. "It was truly inspiring to hear Prof Klopper's vision for the university," said one guest. "I am excited to see the impact she will make in the years ahead."

As the UFS continues its pursuit of excellence, engagements such as this serve as a testament to its dedication to creating a lasting impact on the broader community.

News Archive

Twee broers lewer intreerede
2004-06-10

‘n Unieke geleentheid sal homself môre, 9 Junie 2004, voordoen wanneer twee broers - proff Francois en Janse Tolmie - tydens dieselfde geleentheid hul intreeredes aan die Universiteit van die Vrystaat (UV) sal lewer.

Prof Francois Tolmie is verbonde aan die UV se Departement Nuwe Testament en die onderwerp van sy lesing is Die impak van die metodologie op die verstaan van die Nuwe Testament. Prof Janse Tolmie, sy jonger broer, is verbonde aan die UV se Departement Rekenaarwetenskap en Informatika en die onderwerp van sy lesing is Die rol van inligtingstegnologie in kennisbestuur.

Hoewel die studievelde vér verwyderd staan, klop die twee broers se missies wat betref die terugploeg van die verworwe vakkennis ten bate van die gemeenskap. Prof Francois Tolmie is nóú betrokke by dowes en Prof Janse Tolmie tap weer kunsmatige intelligensie ten bate van die mediese wetenskap en geestesgesondheid.

Prof Francois Tolmie verwerf die grade BA, BA Honneurs (Grieks), MA (Grieks), B Th en M Th almal cum laude aan die UV. In 1992 verwerf hy 'n D Th (Nuwe Testament) en in 2004 'n Ph D (Grieks) aan dieselfde universiteit. Na sy militêre diens as kapelaan in Walvisbaai aanvaar hy 'n beroep na die NG-gemeente Walvisbaai. Hy begin sy akademiese loopbaan op 1 April 1990 as senior lektor in die Departement Nuwe Testament en word in 1999 tot medeprofessor en in 2003 tot professor bevorder.

Sy navorsingspesialiteit is die Johannesevangelie en die Brief aan die Galasiërs. Hy is tesourier van die Nuwe Testamentiese Werksgemeenskap van Suid-Afrika, lid van die Society of Biblical Literature en die Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, redakteur van Acta Theologica en assistent-redakteur van Neotestamentica. Hy het reeds 34 artikels in geakkrediteerde tydskrifte gepubliseer, asook drie populêr-wetenskaplike boeke en talle bydraes in populêr-wetenskaplike boeke. Hy het twee akademiese boeke in die buiteland gepubliseer - onderskeidelik in Nederland en in die VSA. Later vanjaar verskyn 'n derde akademiese boek in Duitsland. Hy is ook een van die vertalers van die Afrikaanse Bybel vir Dowes.

Prof Janse Tolmie verwerf die grade B Sc, B Sc (Hons) en M Sc (Cum Laude) in Rekenaarwetenskap aan die UV.

Hy is vanaf 1989 betrokke by die UV en was ook ’n dosent aan die Militêre Akademie in Saldanhabaai in 1990/91 en het klas gegee by DePaul Universiteit in Chicago in 2002.

In 1992 is hy vir ses maande gesekondeer na ’n patologiese firma, Van Drimmelen en Vennote, in Johannesburg vir die ontwikkeling van kennisgebaseerde sagteware. Met hierdie projek word hy een van slegs ’n handjievol navorsers in die wêreld wat daarin kon slaag om ’n mediese kundigheidstelsel te ontwikkel wat werklik gebruik word.

Hy verwerf sy Ph D in 1994 en in 1994/95 doen hy navorsing aan die Besigheidskool van Carleton Universiteit in Ottawa, Kanada. Hy word in 1997 bevorder tot mede-professor en in 2003 tot volprofessor. Vanaf 2003 tree hy op as departementele voorsitter van die UV se Departement Rekenaarwetenskap en Informatika.

Hy het meer as 30 publikasies al die lig laat sien, insluitend verskeie internasionale kongresbydraes en artikels in geakkrediteerde joernale. Hy was ook vir 2 siklusse geëvalueer by die NRF. Sy portfolio sluit in die ontwikkeling van sagteware of prototipes vir groot maatskappye soos Van Drimmelen en Vennote en Bayer Diagnostics (VSA). Sy privaatbesigheid fokus op die ontwikkeling van nismarksagteware vir tersiêre instellings. Die sagteware word tans gebruik deur afdelings aan verskeie universiteite in Suid-Afrika.

Die geleentheid vind om 19:00 in die CR Swart-ouditorium op die kampus plaas.

MEDIAVERKLARING

Uitgereik deur: Lacea Loader
Mediaverteenwoordiger
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Sel: 083 645 2454
E-pos: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
 

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