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UFS celebrates research excellence with new NRF ratings

15 May 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Teboho Mositi

The University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus is celebrating a significant boost to its academic and research standing with the recent achievement of National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings by several esteemed academics. These ratings not only recognise the individual accomplishments and impact of these researchers but also underscore the campus' commitment to Vision 130 and the university's overarching strategy for academic and research excellence.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, Prof Vasu Reddy, explained the ratings, saying, “Ratings embody high ideals and recognition of scientific merit and impact in a knowledge-intensive economy, aligned with the UFS’ aspirations.”

Prof Jared McDonald, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of The Humanities, Dr Calvin Mudzingiri, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, and Prof Richard Ocaya from the Department of Physics have all been awarded C2 ratings, signifying that they are established researchers with considerable international recognition for the quality and impact of their research outputs. This level of recognition highlights their consistent contribution to their respective fields and positions them as key players within the global research landscape.

Building on this impressive achievement, Prof Aliza le Roux, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, has attained a C1 rating, indicating that she is a leading international researcher recognised for the high quality and impact of her recent research outputs. This prestigious rating stresses Prof Le Roux's significant contributions and her standing as a prominent figure in her area of expertise.

Adding to the growing cadre of research talent on the Qwaqwa Campus, Dr Nthatisi Nyembe, Lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology, and Dr Victor Gwande – Senior Lecturer in the Department of History – have both received Y1 ratings. Dr Regret Sunge, Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Finance within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, has received the NRF Y2 rating for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2030. This rating is awarded to promising young researchers who have demonstrated the potential to establish themselves as researchers with strong international recognition within five years after obtaining their doctorates. These Y1 ratings signal a bright future for research on the campus, highlighting the emergence of a new generation of impactful scholars.

NRF ratings are a crucial benchmark within the South African academic and research sector. They provide a peer-review assessment of the quality and impact of researchers' work, lending credibility and prestige to both the individual and their institution. For academics, a strong NRF rating can enhance their research collaborations, funding opportunities, and overall academic standing. For the institution, a growing number of rated researchers reflects a vibrant research environment and contributes to its reputation as a leading centre of knowledge production.

These achievements align directly with the UFS' Vision 130, which aims to elevate the university's academic and research profile, fostering a culture of innovation and impactful scholarship. The success of these Qwaqwa Campus academics demonstrates the tangible progress being made towards realising this vision and strengthening the university's strategic goals in academic and research excellence.

The UFS is committed to nurturing and supporting its academics in their research endeavours. Initiatives such as the Future Professoriate Programme and the Emerging Scholars Advancement Programme (ESAP) play a vital role in providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities for academics to develop their research careers and achieve their full potential. The recent NRF ratings are a testament to the effectiveness of these support structures and the dedication of the academics on the Qwaqwa Campus.

The University of the Free State proudly celebrates the accomplishments of Prof McDonald, Dr Mudzingiri, Prof Ocaya, Prof Le Roux, Dr Nyembe, Dr Gwande, and Regret Sunge. Their success is a source of inspiration for the entire university community and reaffirms the Qwaqwa Campus' growing prominence as a hub of impactful research.

In his congratulatory remarks, Prof Reddy said: “Our colleagues’ ratings confirm their dedicated and sterling work in advancing research and innovation. It is commendable to also see academic leaders in professional support being beacons to inspire others.”

He further commented: “We value your hard work and determination. Congratulations, you make us proud as a university. You inspire us all to follow you and we support you in reaching our research-intensive goals. We are confident that your ratings will inspire you, personally and professionally – as well as other colleagues – to grow further. Your efforts will help us as we move to new heights,” Prof Reddy concluded.

News Archive

UFS experimental farm to be redesigned as a training facility

2004-10-25

Back fltr:
Dr Léan van der Westhuizen, Manager: UFS Sydenham Experimental Farm; Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS and Councilor Thami Stander, Chairperson: Mangaung Municipal Portfolio for Agriculture and Rural Development

Front fltr:
Mr Hanz Nketu, Chairperson: Free State Legislative Committee on Agriculture and Mr Peter Frewen from the Free State Legislature

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences of the University of the Free State will soon sign a tri-partite cooperation agreement with the National African Farmers Union (NAFU) and the Mangaung Local Municipality with the aim of providing training and mentorship to small-scale and emerging farmers, including those recently settled under the on-going land redistribution programme.

The agreement is part of the Faculty’s strategic plan to support the on-going reform process in the country, of which Black Economic Empowerment in Agriculture (Agri-BEE) is an important part. The Free State Provincial Department of Agriculture is also actively supporting this initiative.

Under the plan, the Faculty is redesigning its experimental farm, located about 12 kilometers south of Bloemfontein, as a training facility to build up skills in among others broiler and egg production, dairy farming, animal husbandry, piggery, sheep and goat production. The idea is to introduce a comprehensive package that empowers the small and emerging farmers and the local communities adjoining the farms through simultaneous investments in research, extension, and practical agricultural training.

Learnerships are also being drawn up to provide productive skills in order to contribute to addressing the national skills gap and enhancing opportunities for both self and wage employment.

The residents of the adjoining informal settlement known as Mangaung Phase II where unemployment is currently at extremely high levels are primary targets of this component of the project. The Faculty intends for this project to service the farming communities of the Free State Province and gradually spread to other Provinces in the country.

Having recognised this training programme as a potential instrument for achieving “a united and prosperous agricultural sector”, the Free State Legislature has shown considerable interest in the programme.

Following a preparatory visit to the farms by the Agriculture Committee of the Free State Legislature a request was made to the Faculty to host a larger visit by the Legislative Committees of the Free State, North West and Eastern Cape Provincial Legislatures on Monday 25 October 2004 and present details of the training programme.

The President of NAFU in the Free State Province, Mr Nox Nonkonyana, the Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, the Chair of the Mangaung Municipal Portfolio for Agriculture and Rural Development, Councilor Thami Stander, and the Chairperson of the Free State Legislative Committee on Agriculture, Mr M Nketu, will address the Legislators during the occasion.

Prof Herman van Schalkwyk

Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

University of the Free State, Bloemfontein

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
25 Oktober 2004

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