The University of the Free State (UFS) continues to reinforce its commitment to global engagement and alumni relations through its Alumni Connect initiative, recently extending its reach to Nairobi, Kenya.

This strategic engagement provided a meaningful platform for UFS alumni based in East Africa to reconnect with their alma mater while fostering dialogue with institutional leadership. Central to the event was the presence of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester C. Klopper, whose participation underscored the university’s dedication to African business leaders' engagement and professional networks.

The Nairobi gathering formed part of the broader UFS vision – Responsible Societal Futures – declaring that everything we do must translate into real change for real people. By engaging alumni who are African business leaders beyond South Africa’s borders, the university affirms its role as a continental leader in higher education and recognises the diverse contributions of its graduates across Africa.

In her address, Prof Klopper emphasised the importance of maintaining strong ties between the university and its alumni, particularly in a rapidly evolving global academic landscape. She noted: “The businesses represented in this room are doing the same in their own way. You are building the economic architecture of Eastern and Southern Africa. You are creating jobs, opening markets, and forging the supply chains that communities depend on. In this way, you too are contributing towards creating responsible societal futures. In many ways, a research-led university and a forward-thinking business community are two sides of the same coin.”

The power of research-led institutions

“Our commitment to being research-led is an asset that can add tremendous value to the business sector. When you enter a new market, you are navigating uncertainty. You often have to make decisions in environments characterised by risk and data scarcity. This is where a research-led university becomes your competitive advantage, says Prof Klopper.

She added, “Allow me to just highlight some of the areas in which the UFS is making an impact: our agricultural scientists are doing ground-breaking work in bio-fortification, developing drought-resistant crop varieties that directly address food security on our continent. Our African Medicines Innovations and Technology Development Platform produces research focused on the discovery and development of new treatments based on traditional and herbal African medicines.” 

The event also created space for alumni to reflect on their experiences and share insights on how the UFS can continue to support its graduates internationally. One alumnus, Dr Moses Mulu, remarked: “Meeting the university delegation in Nairobi reaffirmed the university’s commitment to its graduates, regardless of where they are based. It is encouraging to see leadership taking a proactive approach to engaging with us, listening to our perspectives, and exploring opportunities for collaboration in our respective fields.” 

Regionally engaged: A campus without borders

The University of the Free State is also regionally engaged. The challenges of this continent – water scarcity, food insecurity, rapid urbanisation, health-care access, and infrastructure deficits – are our shared curriculum, regardless of which side of the equator we are standing on. A campus without borders does not mean a university without roots. It means roots deep enough to nourish trees on both sides of the continent.