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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 community proud of Wayde’s hat trick of awards

2015-11-24

The Kovsie athlete Wayde van Niekerk received a hat trick of awards at the SA Sports Awards on Sunday 22 November 2015. He was named Sports Star of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, and was crowned as winner in the People’s Choice category.
Photo: Charl Devenish

Wayde changed the game – Naidoo

For a long time, AB de Villiers and Chad le Clos have dominated fan support in South Africa, but Wayde van Niekerk changed the game.

This was what Kass Naidoo, well-known sports journalist and cricket commentator, tweeted after the Kovsie athlete, Wayde van Niekerk, made a clean sweep at the tenth SA Sports Awards in his home town, Bloemfontein, on Sunday 22 November 2015.

According to Naidoo, the golden boy from the University of the Free State (UFS) is now the hottest property in South Africa, and should be watched during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Hat trick for Kovsie athlete
Naidoo was one of several celebrities to congratulate Van Niekerk on Twitter after Wayde received a hat trick of awards in the Sand du Plessis Theatre. The 400 m athlete was named Sports Star of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, and was crowned as winner in the People’s Choice category.

Apart from this, a humble Van Niekerk received total prize money of R1,1 million and two luxury Mercedes Benz vehicles - one for Sports Star of the Year and one as People’s Choice winner.

Big names outperformed
What makes his awards even more remarkable is the fact that he has outperformed several big names.
In addition to De Villiers and Le Clos, the tennis player, Kevin Anderson, the swimmer, Cameron van der Burgh, and the athlete, Caroline Wöstmann, were all nominated for Sports Star of the Year.

For the People’s Choice Award, Van Niekerk beat De Villiers, the cyclist, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, (who was crowned Sportswoman of the Year), Le Clos, and the wheelchair tennis player, Lucas Sithole. The public voted for this award.

Le Clos was nominated with the mountain biker, Greg Minnaar, for Sportsman of the Year.

Best is yet to come
“I don't think we have seen the best of Wayde. Hopefully that will come in Rio next year, along with a gold medal,” Naidoo tweeted.

The Springbok winger, JP Pietersen, also congratulated Van Niekerk on the social network, saying that he deserved his award as Sportsman of the Year.

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