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UFS lecturer, Dr Regret Sunge, achieves prestigious NRF Y2-Rating

07 May 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied

The University of the Free State (UFS) is proud to announce that Dr Regret Sunge, Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Finance within the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, has been awarded a prestigious Y2 rating by the National Research Foundation (NRF). This significant achievement highlights Dr Sunge's exceptional potential as a rising leader in the field of economics and finance.

The NRF Y2-rating is bestowed upon young researchers, typically under the age of 40 and within five years of obtaining their PhD, who have demonstrated considerable potential to establish themselves as leaders in their area of expertise. Dr Sunge's inclusion among the 3,8% of newly rated researchers in South Africa highlights the quality and impact of his work.

Dr Sunge expressed his excitement, stating, "I am thrilled to have received the NRF Y2-rating for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2030. Receiving such recognition through this meticulous process in the field of Economics and Finance – which has a share of only 4,9% of total rated researchers – is even more amazing." He further emphasised the rigorous nature of the NRF rating process, and the insightful feedback received.

Factors contributing to this recognition

Dr Sunge attributes his success to a combination of personal dedication, collaborative efforts, and institutional support. His PhD thesis provided a strong foundation, with three of the five reviewed papers originating from this work. Subsequent research collaborations with international peers fostered during his PhD journey further enriched his research by integrating the critical fields of agricultural production and environmental sustainability. The growing number of citations his work has received speaks to its increasing relevance and impact.

The academic also acknowledged the significant influence of key individuals on his research journey, including his PhD supervisor, Prof Nicholas Ngepah, Dr Delphin Kamanda Espoir – a research partner, and his postdoctoral host, Dr Calvin Mudzingiri.

Beyond academic research, Dr Sunge's engagement in research consultation with regional and international organisations has played a vital role. In 2022, he formed a team within the United Nations Young Economists Network (UN-YEN) to study Africa's macroeconomic growth. Additionally, he contributed as a research assistant to the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the African Union Commission (AUC) for their annual Africa Development Dynamics (AfDD) publication.

Dr Sunge also highlighted the crucial institutional support he received from the University of the Free State, specifically the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) on the Qwaqwa Campus, where he was a postdoctoral research fellow at the time of application.

Impact of the NRF rating on research standing

The Y2 rating is already proving to be a catalyst for Dr Sunge's research endeavours. "It’s a motivator, I am more confident, and it has greatly enhanced my CV," he noted. He anticipates that this recognition will unlock opportunities for further collaborations and access to competitive research grants and funding programmes, both nationally and internationally.

Furthermore, Dr Sunge's achievement while based on the Qwaqwa Campus enhances the University of the Free State's reputation for supporting young researchers and fostering excellence across all its campuses. His rating serves as a significant source of inspiration for his colleagues on the Qwaqwa Campus, particularly within EMS, where NRF-rated researchers are still few. Dr Sunge hopes that his success will encourage colleagues in the faculty to pursue similar achievements through commitment, dedication, and collaboration.

Research focus and its importance

Dr Sunge's research primarily focuses on the intersection of agricultural production and environmental sustainability. His work addresses the critical challenge of ensuring food security amid the growing impact of climate change in a sustainable manner. Recognising the dual challenge of increasing agricultural output to combat food insecurity while mitigating climate change, his research aims to inform environmentally sustainable agrifood systems in South Africa and beyond.

Specifically, his research holds local relevance for Phuthaditjhaba, where livestock agriculture is a significant part of the local economy, with the potential to contribute to more sustainable livelihoods. Utilising a range of econometric methodologies, his research approach is adaptable to various fields of study, facilitating collaboration with researchers from diverse backgrounds.

Acknowledging the dynamic nature of research in economics, particularly in econometrics and data analysis, Dr Sunge emphasises the importance of continuous learning through conferences and workshops. He aims to further develop his econometric and critical thinking skills, as well as sharpen his writing abilities, to elevate his research to new heights.

Future research trajectory

Looking ahead, Dr Sunge envisions a research trajectory that combines academic rigour with impactful societal engagement. This involves identifying research problems, providing in-depth academic analysis, and developing solutions that directly benefit communities. His future includes initiating research-based interventions and conducting impact assessments. Achieving this vision necessitates securing research grants, supervising postgraduate students, and actively engaging in community initiatives.

Over the next five years, Dr Sunge aims to transition from a Y2 to a C-rated researcher, a goal that requires careful planning to balance his research and teaching responsibilities. While committed to advancing his research, Dr Sunge remains passionate about teaching and ensuring that his research activities enhance, rather than detract from, his classroom engagement.

Dr Sunge’s achievement of the NRF Y2-rating is a significant milestone, both for his personal career and for the University of the Free State. His dedication, collaborative spirit, and impactful research focus serve as an inspiration to colleagues and aspiring economists alike. As Dr Sunge eloquently stated, "My word to aspiring economists, especially from marginalised circumstances, is that with the right mindset, commitment and dedication, we can be counted."

News Archive

Twenty years of the constitution of South Africa – cause for celebration and reflection

2016-05-11

Description: Judge Azar Cachalia Tags: Judge Azar Cachalia

Judge Azar Cachalia

The University of the Free State’s Centre for Human Rights and the Faculty of Law held the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the South African Constitution on 11 May 2016 on the Bloemfontein Campus. Students and faculty members celebrated and reflected on not only the achievements of the constitution but also on perspectives regarding its relevance in modern society, and to what extent it has upheld the human rights of all citizens of South Africa.

The panel discussion started with a presentation on the pre-1996 perspective by Judge Azar Cachalia of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Judge Cachalia reflected on his role in the realisation and upholding of the constitution, from his days as a student activist, then as an attorney representing detainees during political turmoil, and currently as a judge: “My role as an attorney was to defend people arrested for public violence. My role as a judge today is to uphold the constitution.” He stressed the importance of the constitution today, and the responsibility institutions such as the police service have in upholding human rights. Judge Cachalia played a significant role in drafting the new Police Act around 1990, an Act which was to ensure that the offences perpetrated by the police during apartheid did not continue in the current democratic era. Further, he pointed out that societal turmoil has the potential to make society forget about the hard work that was put into structures upholding human rights. “Constitutions are drafted in moments of calm. It is a living document, and we hope it is not torn up when we go through social conflict, such as we are experiencing at present.”

Thobeka Dywili, a Law student at the UFS, presented her views from the new generation’s perspective. She relayed her experience as a student teaching human rights at schools in disadvantaged communities. She realised that, although the youth are quite aware of their basic human rights, after so many years of democracy, “women and children are still seen as previously disadvantaged when they should be equal”. She pointed out that, with the changing times, the constitution needs to be looked at with a new set of eyes, suggesting more robust youth engagement on topics that affect them, using technology to facilitate discussions. She said with the help of social media, it is possible for a simple discussion to become a revolution; #feesmustfall was a case in point.

Critical perspectives on the constitution were presented by Tsepo Madlingozi of University of Pretoria and University of London. In his view, the constitution has not affected policy to the extent that it should, with great disparities in our society and glaring issues, such as lack of housing for the majority of the poor. “Celebration of the constitution should be muted, as the constitution is based on a decolonisation approach, and does not directly address the needs of the poor. The Constitutional Court is not pro-poor.” He posed the question of whether twenty years on, the present government has crafted a new society successfully. “We have moved from apartheid to neo-apartheid, as black elites assimilate into the white world, and the two worlds that exist have not been able to stand together as a reflection of what the constitution stands for.”

Prof Caroline Nicholson, Dean of the Faculty of Law, encouraged more open discussions, saying such dialogues are exactly what was intended by the Centre for Human Rights. She emphasised the importance of exchanging ideas, of allowing people to speak freely, and of sharing perspectives on important issues such as the constitution and human rights.

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