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UFS and US Consulate strengthen century-long academic partnership

05 September 2025 | Story Kagiso Ngake and Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo Stephen Collett

The University of the Free State (UFS) recently had the honour of hosting Stephanie Bunce, Consul General of the United States (US) in South Africa, and her delegation on the Bloemfontein Campus. The visit came at a significant moment, shortly after the first 100 days of Prof Hester C. Klopper’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor and Principal.

The meeting marked an important introduction between two leaders new in their respective roles: Prof Klopper at the UFS, and Consul General Bunce, who began her posting in Johannesburg in September 2024. Their discussions offered an opportunity to align the strategic ambitions of the UFS with the priorities of the U.S Mission in South Africa, while reflecting on the longstanding and fruitful relationship between the UFS and American universities.

Consul General Bunce commended the depth of UFS’s academic partnerships with the United States and expressed enthusiasm about the university’s future direction. “I’m really excited to hear what you’re looking for in the next few years and how we can continue to work together,” she said.

Advancing clinical training and collaboration

The delegation toured the world-class Clinical Simulation and Skills Unit (CSSU), where Prof Mathys Labuschagne, Head of Clinical Simulation and Skills Unit, School of Biomedical Sciences, and his team showcased how advanced simulation technologies prepare students for clinical practice. “Hands-on practice in a safe, non-threatening environment is one of the best ways to build confidence and skills,” explained Prof Labuschagne.

The CSSU was developed based on a model from Penn State University following a visit 15 years ago - a collaboration that has continued to thrive. “Collaboration with US universities opens doors for joint teaching, student exchanges, and research partnerships that drive innovation,” Prof Labuschagne added.

Deepening a century of partnership

Collaboration between the UFS and the U.S universities dates back more than a century. In the 1920s, the University of Michigan established the Lamont-Hussey Observatory on Naval Hill, and Harvard University relocated the Boyden Observatory to Maselspoort. Both observatories, now part of the UFS, symbolise a legacy of shared scientific discovery.

These historic ties have since evolved into formal agreements with universities across the United States. Between 2020 and 2024, the US was the leading country collaborating with the UFS, producing more than 929 co-authored publications across 648 institutions. Today, partnerships continue to expand through research, academic exchanges, and staff mobility programmes that leave a lasting impact on students and society alike.

Consul General Bunce highlighted the distinctive nature of these partnerships. “In many countries, academic exchange is driven by government. Here, it grows organically from strong relationships and programmes.”

Prof Lynette Jacobs, interim Director in the Office for International Affairs, emphasised the value of these ties: “Our partnership with the United States shows how a strong and mature relationship can drive diversified internationalisation, advancing our strategic goal of global engagement with real impact. We look forward to welcoming the Consul General on our other two campuses.”

Driving innovation and commercialisation

In her address, Prof Klopper outlined the university’s vision to translate research into real-world solutions and commercial opportunities. “The UFS is learning from many American universities’ innovative models, which leverage multiple income streams and strong industry partnerships,” noted Prof Klopper. Prof Klopper emphasised that diversifying income is not only about sustainability but also about ensuring research has impact. Recent spin-off companies are an example of this vision becoming reality.

Charting the future

The US delegation expressed strong interest in UFS’s areas of strength, including community engagement, entrepreneurship, and student success initiatives. They also highlighted the potential for US students to study at the UFS, with consular support services in place to assist visiting students in emergencies.

“It is wonderful to see relationships that grow and change but continue to bring in new partnerships and exchanges,” Consul General Bunce remarked.

With plans for new mobility schemes, joint research projects, and a shared commitment to innovation, the UFS and its US partners are well-positioned to shape the next chapter in their century-long story of collaboration.

News Archive

Shortage of quantity surveyors discussed at UFS

2006-03-24

During the recent visit of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) to the University of the Free State (UFS) were from the left Mr Egon Wortmann (Director: ASAQS), Prof Basie Verster (representative of the Free State on the ASAQS and head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the UFS), Mr Greyling Venter (Chairperson: Free State branch of the ASAQS), Prof DG Brümmer(Vice-President: ASAQS) and Mr Patrick Waterson (President: ASAQS).
Photo supplied

Shortage of quantity surveyors discussed at UFS

“The South African building industry is experiencing an unprecedented high level of economic growth and prosperity. This is causing a definite shortage of registered quantity surveyors,” said Mr Egon Wortmann, Director of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors(ASAQS) during the association’s recent visit to the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS).

“This shortage is especially noticeable in local and national governments where unqualified and inexperienced staff, consultants and/or facilitators are now appointed,” said Mr Wortmann.

In doing so, the authorities that have adopted this approach are according to Mr Wortmann actually acting illegally and are not in compliance with the legal and statutory requirements of South Africa. “These unprofessional practices are unproductive, it leads to frustration and is strongly condemned by the ASAQS,” he said.

“The service delivery of these unqualified and unregistered service providers is often sub standard and does not comply to the legal requirements of the profession. It may also result in the tarnishing of the image and high professional standards set by the quantity surveying profession,” said Mr Wortmann.

“Universities offering programmes in quantity-surveying and construction management are also negatively affected by the high levels of activity in the building environment. Suitable lecturing staff are leaving the academic institutions as they are attracted to better opportunities being offered in the building industry. The ability of the tertiary institutions to attract young academics, to train them and to keep them in the longer term, is therefore almost impossible”, said Prof Basie Verster, head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the UFS and representative of the Free State on the ASAQS.

According to Prof Verster the UFS supplies more than its quota of qualified quantity surveyors to the South African building industry. “Although more than 460 students are registered in construction related programmes at the UFS, we are as the ASAQS’s concerned about the shortage of students that can enter the construction industry. In our case, we are experiencing a shortage in black female students,” he said.

“Of the 460 postgraduate students, 38% are black of which 20% are female students. Graduates do also not necessarily stay in the country. As the UFS’s programmes are accredited overseas, a lot of our students leave the country for working opportunities elsewhere,” said Prof Verster.

Mr Patrick Waterson, President of the ASAQS, appealed to quantity surveyors to, when they are approached, consider academic careers or to make themselves available to lecture on a part time basis. “I also appeal to quantity-surveying practices, construction companies and developers to consider taking part in training activities,” he said.

The ASAQS has over the years developed a proud tradition within the quantity-surveying profession. Consequently membership of this organisation is a sought after goal for many members within the building environment. International agreements with various countries are also in place whereby it is mutually agreed that local as well as overseas qualifications are mutually acceptable on a reciprocal basis.

A more recent addition to the list of agreements is the reciprocity agreement entered into with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which makes it possible for South African based quantity surveyors to practice in over 120 countries worldwide.

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

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