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UFS solidifies community ties with landmark MOU handover

14 May 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Teboho Mositi

Pictured: On the left, Prof Prince Ngobeni, Qwaqwa Campus Principal, with Motlalepula Tsotetsi, Principal of Maluti TVET College.

The University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus has formally cemented its commitment to regional engagement by handing over signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to key local stakeholders during a significant ceremony. The partnerships with Maluti TVET College, the HaMagriza’s Indigenous Restaurant and Co-working Hub, and the Agape Foundation signal a collaborative effort focused on enhancing education, fostering community upliftment, and driving regional development.

The handover, which took place in the Senate Hall of the UFS Qwaqwa Campus, was intentionally designed as a personal demonstration of the university’s dedication to building strong, enduring relationships. Prof Cias Tsotetsi, Vice-Principal: Academic and Research on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus, emphasised the significance of the face-to-face engagement.

“We chose not to simply email the signed MOUs,” explained Prof Tsotetsi. “We wanted to meet face-to-face and hand them over in person, because this is about building genuine, lasting relationships. These stakeholders align with the university’s vision of becoming a hub for research, a student-centred environment, and a regionally engaged institution.”

Representatives from each partner organisation expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities unlocked by these newly formalised agreements.

Motlalepula Tsotetsi, Principal of Maluti TVET College, hailed the MOU as a pivotal moment. “Although we have collaborated with various stakeholders in the past, this marks the first formal partnership with the University of the Free State. Given our proximity, it’s long overdue, and we welcome this development.”

Echoing this sentiment, HaMagriza Director, Sabata Lepele, highlighted the importance of mutual recognition and cooperation. “As Tom Ford wisely said, ‘Collaboration is the key to success.’ This partnership creates a shared space that benefits both the university and the broader community. We’re honoured to be part of it.” He further emphasised that this milestone was significant to their journey, embodying a synergy between academia and the community to achieve remarkable outcomes. Lepele expressed HaMagriza's commitment to fostering innovation, creativity, and community development through this collaboration, anticipating the co-creation of initiatives that will benefit both the university and the surrounding region. He also conveyed excitement about working together to share the unique culture and heritage of Qwaqwa.

Daniel Moloi, Director of the Agape Foundation, also warmly welcomed the formal partnership, expressing his organisation’s eagerness to collaborate with the UFS on initiatives designed to address pressing community challenges.

This ceremony marks a significant step forward in the UFS Qwaqwa Campus’ community engagement strategy, reaffirming its dedication to fostering inclusive development through strategic alliances within the local landscape. The university aspires to be a research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged institution, viewing these partnerships as vital vehicles for achieving societal impact that extends beyond the continent.

News Archive

UFS seals cooperation with National Institute for Higher Education

2006-03-20

At the signing of the agreement were seated from the left Prof Magda Fourie (Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS) and Dr Pearl Nkosi (Head: Academic Planning at the NIHE). Standing from the left were Dr Kopano Taole (acting head of the NIHE) and Mr Vernon Collett (Registrar: Academic Student Services at the UFS).
Photo: Stephen Collett

UFS seals cooperation with National Institute for Higher Education

A formal memorandum of understanding was recently signed between the University of the Free State (UFS) and the National Institute for Higher Education in the Northern Cape (NIHE).

The memorandum was signed to give both institutions a clear understanding of the way in which collaborative programmes should be implemented.

“Although the UFS has been presenting two bachelors degree courses (i.e. B Soc Sc in Human and Societal Dynamics and B Com in General Management) and the Career Preparation Programme at the NIHE since 2003, the cooperative agreement was never formalised,” explained Prof Magda Fourie, Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS, during the signing ceremony.

These academic programmes, presented by facilitators living in Kimberley and lecturers from the UFS, serve 270 students and the entry requirements of the programmes are determined by the UFS.

Prof Fourie said the UFS had a history of a relationship with the NIHE. The partnership should be seen as an example of how two institutions of higher learning can work together to serve the needs of the students in the region.

“The memorandum of understanding is part of the UFS’s commitment to and engagement with the central region. As the NIHE is currently operating in a policy vacuum, the memorandum is underpinned by certain principles aimed at providing some parameters within which the relationship is established and developed,” she said.

Dr Kopano Taole, acting head of the NIHE, added to this by saying that the understanding of where the NIHE wants to take the partnership is now reflected in the memorandum of understanding.

“The memorandum is the culmination of many years of hard work and of helping the people of the region. The continued input and guidance of the UFS is of tremendous help to us and through this we gained a greater sense of what the NIHE can grow to be,” he said.

The NIHE is a joint initiative of the BHP Billiton Development Trust (BBDT) and the Northern Cape Provincial Government and was established in June 2004. The National Plan for Higher Eduation (NPHE 2001) proposed the establishment of the NIHE in the Northern Cape to serve as the administrative and governance hub for ensuring the coherent provision of higher education through programme collaboration between the higher education institutions operating in the Northern Cape.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
20 March 2006

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