A high-level delegation from the University of the Free State (UFS) has strengthened its global partnerships and expanded opportunities for collaboration following a week-long strategic engagement in Singapore.

Led by Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester C. Klopper, the delegation included Prof Ylva Rodny-Gumede, Executive Director: Advancement, and David Marupen, Senior Director of Institutional Advancement. The visit connected UFS with leading international institutions, creating new avenues for collaboration in research, teaching, and postgraduate training.

Advancing collaboration through global partnerships

The delegation’s programme began at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute, part of Duke-NUS Medical School, where discussions focused on shared research priorities and collaborative approaches to complex global challenges, including pandemics, climate change, and chronic disease.

Reflecting on the importance of the engagement, Prof Klopper stated, “Our visit to Singapore affirms the University of the Free State’s commitment to building meaningful global partnerships that address pressing societal challenges. Collaborations in global and planetary health are critical, not only for advancing research excellence but for ensuring sustainable and equitable health outcomes across regions.”

“The engagement with Duke-NUS and the SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute marks an important step towards strengthening research partnerships and advancing knowledge exchange in this critical field,” said Prof Klopper.

These engagements form part of UFS’s broader strategy to build partnerships that connect research to real-world impact across different regions.

Strengthening collaboration across institutions

At the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at the National University of Singapore, the delegation explored opportunities for collaboration in areas including artificial intelligence in public health, interdisciplinary research, and doctoral education.

Discussions also focused on how institutions can work together more effectively across regions, particularly in addressing shared societal and health challenges through research, innovation, and capacity development.

Learning from innovative teaching approaches

At Singapore Management University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business, the delegation met with academic leaders to discuss the SMU-X experiential learning model, which integrates real-world industry challenges into the curriculum.

Dr Flocy Joseph emphasised the value of industry-integrated learning, noting, “Experiential learning models such as SMU-X are designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice. By embedding real-world challenges into the curriculum, universities can better prepare graduates to navigate complex and rapidly evolving professional environments.”

Insights from this engagement contribute to UFS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen teaching and learning, preparing students for evolving global contexts.

Building a globally connected alumni network

The visit also included engagement with UFS alumni based in Singapore, highlighting the role of alumni in strengthening the university’s global partnerships and professional networks.

The delegation met with Christo Meyer, architect and academic at the National University of Singapore, and Werner Prinsloo, Senior Farm Manager at BP in Singapore. A courtesy visit to Her Excellency Madiepetsane Charlotte Lobe, South African High Commissioner to Singapore, further reinforced the broader diplomatic and academic significance of the visit.

Highlighting the broader diplomatic and academic significance of such engagements, Her Excellency Lobe remarked, “Partnerships between South African institutions and global counterparts play a pivotal role in advancing knowledge exchange, innovation, and economic development. The University of the Free State’s engagement in Singapore reflects the growing importance of international collaboration in higher education.”

Expanding UFS’s global footprint