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UFS launches International Institute of the Arts

06 October 2025 | Story Tshepo Tsotetsi | Photo Stephen Collett

IIA Launch — From left: Prof Mogomme Masoga, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities; Prof Anthea Rhoda, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic; Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Prof Millard Arnold, Member of the UFS Council; Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation; and Prof Alexander Johnson, Director of the International Institute of the Arts, at the launch of the International Institute of the Arts held at the Scaena Theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus.

The University of the Free State (UFS) officially launched its International Institute of the Arts (IIA) on 2 October 2025 at the Scaena Theatre on its Bloemfontein Campus, marking a pivotal moment in the institution’s pursuit of academic excellence, creativity, and global collaboration.

The launch brought together university leadership, academics, artists, and art enthusiasts to celebrate a shared commitment to advancing human knowledge through creative enquiry and artistic innovation.

The launch of the institute, which falls under the portfolio of Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Internationalisation Prof Vasu Reddy, is aimed at positioning the university at the intersection of creativity, scholarship, and societal impact. The IIA will serve as a collaborative space for artists, researchers, and practitioners to explore new ways of thinking, teaching, and creating – bridging the gap between the humanities, science, and technology in an increasingly digital world.

“The arts are not mere embellishments to life; they are, in fact, its very pulse,” Prof Reddy said. “The IIA is a space where the arts and humanities rise, not in defence, but in celebration of their enduring relevance.”

A beacon for creativity in a changing world

In her address, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Hester C. Klopper described the IIA as “a lantern illuminating paths towards responsible societal futures shaped by imagination, empathy, and human creativity.” She emphasised that in an era of artificial intelligence and automation, “our challenge as humans lies largely in our ability to dream, imagine, create, empathise, and transform vision into reality through artistic expression.”

The sentiment of creativity as a transformative force was echoed throughout the event. UFS Council member and artist Prof Millard Arnold said “creativity is that intangible force that sparks inspiration, enriches the imagination, and expands our appreciation of who we are and what we can become.” He added that the institute “will be more than just an institution – it will be a vibrant hub where imagination meets opportunity, nurturing creative minds who challenge convention and inspire change.”

Adding to this vision, Prof Mogomme Masoga, Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities, said the IIA represents an initiative that “significantly expands the footprint of the humanities” and aligns with the university’s Vision 130 commitment to “growing and extending its influence and impact”. He described the institute as an opportunity to bring scholars and industry experts closer together, fostering collaboration and dialogue that highlight human creativity while advancing research and teaching excellence.

The programme also celebrated artistic and intellectual excellence through a diverse line-up. Dr Ashraf Jamal, an educator, writer, journalist, and author, delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled ‘The Majesty of the Everyday: The Power of Culture in South Africa Today’, which explored the role of culture in uniting people and redefining contemporary South African identity. This was followed by compelling performances, including So Over the Rainbow, a satirical work by Zabesutu Rondo Mpiti-Spies, and Ditshomo – We Have Been Here Before, a choreopoem by Napo Masheane with Volley Nchabeleng featuring the House of Shakers. Each performance embodied the spirit of creative freedom and collaboration that the institute seeks to nurture.

Connecting African heritage with global innovation

Positioned in the heart of South Africa, the IIA draws inspiration from the continent’s cultural richness while engaging with global networks of creative scholarship. Prof Klopper noted that the institute “builds bridges between indigenous wisdom and modern art, between oral traditions and digital storytelling”, reaffirming the university’s commitment to combining local authenticity with global vision.

Prof Reddy emphasised that, “The IIA is not merely an institute; it is a living, breathing space for imagination, innovation, and inquiry. It is a crucible for interdisciplinary exploration – a home for scholars, artists, and visionaries who seek to challenge assumptions and reimagine futures.”

In his message, Prof Alexander Johnson, Director of the IIA, described the institute as “a space where the arts in the Free State can converge, grow, and flourish.” He added that the IIA aims to amplify the university’s global footprint through artist residencies, international partnerships, and interdisciplinary research collaborations.

More than a new academic entity, the International Institute of the Arts stands as a bold declaration of purpose – to champion creativity as both a form of knowledge and a force for human connection. Through its launch, the UFS affirms that, in an age shaped by technology and change, imagination remains our most powerful tool for building a just, innovative, and inspired future.

News Archive

Getting out of the dark

2015-04-28

Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Since 2008, the University of the Free State has been busy with the planning and implementation of projects to reduce the impact of load shedding. To date, the cost of these projects has run to R6 million. They have been done primarily to ensure that the academic programme does not suffer damage as a result of the increasing interruptions in the power supply that are continuing this year.

The university’s greatest concern has been the provision of emergency power to the lecture halls and laboratories.

Thus far, 35 generators are servicing 55 buildings on the three campuses of the UFS. This includes 26 generators on the Bloemfontein Campus, eight on the Qwaqwa Campus in the Eastern Free State, and one generator on the South Campus in Bloemfontein. The generators are already in service, and are maintained in working order.

Since 2010, the university has also ensured that all newly-built academic buildings are equipped with emergency power supplies.

On the South Campus in Bloemfontein, the new lecture-hall building and the computer laboratory are equipped with emergency power, while the installation of emergency generators in other buildings is under way. The majority of the buildings on the Qwaqwa Campus in the Eastern Free State are equipped with emergency power supplies.

In the meantime, the UFS management has approved a further R11 million for the installation of additional generators on the three campuses. A further R1.5 million has also been approved for the purchase of two mobile generators.

To extend the work already done, the main task will be the installation of more generators on the Bloemfontein Campus to ensure that lecture halls with emergency power will be available for the centrally-arranged timetables, and to ensure that more of the critical laboratories will be provided with emergency power.

There are still some important buildings and halls on the Bloemfontein Campus that must be supplied with emergency power. However, it is a costly process and must be brought into operation gradually. The further implementation of emergency power depends on the delivery of equipment. The university is also investigating alternative solutions for power provisioning, including solar power.

Generators with spare capacity are optimally deployed to satisfy the lower needs of the campus, including the Odeion, the ANNEX at Microbiology, the Stabilis ANNEX, the Agriculture Building, the UV-Sasol library, and the Francois Retief Building.

In addition, the UFS is busy on all campuses, coupling area lighting, including

street lights and pedestrian walkways, to existing generators. Procedures for the operation of mechanical equipment, such as entrance gates, lifts, and so on, are currently being dealt with on all campuses. Continuous power sources for certain ICT equipment will be installed on all campuses to protect it against power surges.

Staff and students can also equip themselves with the necessary knowledge to manage load shedding in their specific areas of work and study. It is always helpful to know who to contact. The following list with guidelines and contact numbers has been compiled to assist you:

1. In an emergency, call Protection Services. This line will continue to operate, regardless of whether the power is on or off.
2. Avoid using lifts just before planned load shedding. Some lifts have emergency power packs which will bring the lift to the nearest floor and open the doors. If you still get stuck in a lift during a power outage, use your cellphone to call Protection Services. While you're waiting, stay calm and be patient.
3. If the access control systems in your building stop working after load shedding, contact Protection Services.
4. The students and staff members who are most at risk during load shedding are those in wheelchairs or with other mobility limitations. As far as possible, plan ahead to avoid being stuck on a floor or in a room that is difficult to access when load shedding is imminent. Please contact Protection Services if you need assistance.
5. During a fire, alarms WILL go off. Alarms are not power driven, but battery driven. For assistance, contact Protection Services.
6. The main UFS Switchboard (Bloemfontein Campus +27(0)51 401 9111 and Qwaqwa Campus +27(0)58 718 5000) will continue to operate during load shedding.

Contact details of Protection Services:

Bloemfontein Campus: +27(0)51 401 2634/2911
Qwaqwa Campus: +27(0)58 508 5460/5175
South Campus: +27(0)51 5051217

Communication and Brand Management will make information available on the UFS web, Facebook page, Twitter, Blackboard and the intranet. Get the load shedding schedule from Eskom’s webpage (http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za/). The Bloemfontein Campus falls in group 4 and the South Campus falls in group 2 in Centlec’s load shedding schedule.

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