The University of the Free State (UFS), through its Centre for Graduate Support (CGS), officially welcomed its 2026 postgraduate cohort at a vibrant hybrid event celebrating academic aspiration, ambition and community. 

Designed and hosted by the CGS, the programme created a strong sense of belonging while introducing students to the extensive support available throughout their postgraduate journey.

In his opening keynote address, Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, emphasised the transformative nature of postgraduate study. 

 “Postgraduate study is where you discover not how much you know, but how deeply you can think. This is when you learn to engage complexity, embrace uncertainty, and develop resilience and intellectual independence. Postgraduate study is where your discipline stops being comfortable and starts being transformative.”

A thoughtful and inclusive programme

The event unfolded as a carefully curated experience, reflecting the university’s commitment to inclusivity and excellence. A highlight of the morning was a moving  performance by the Thaba Nchu Bartimea School Choir, comprising blind and deaf learners. Their presence underscored the values of diversity, resilience, and shared humanity.

The programme also featured the introduction of the SRC Postgraduate Student Council by programme director Yolanda Roberts, reinforcing the importance of student leadership and representation within the postgraduate community.

A home for postgraduate success

In her address, Dr Danila Wessels, Acting Director of the CGS, positioned the centre as a cornerstone of the postgraduate experience at UFS. 

“The future really does belong to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” she said. “The Centre for Graduate Support is your home from the start of your journey to the end… we are your brothers and sisters during this journey.”

Echoing this sentiment, Prof Reddy remarked: “Excellence is built through support, not isolation.”

Dr Wessels highlighted the CGS’s comprehensive support structure, which spans the entire postgraduate lifecycle - from application and admission to graduation. She outlined key services, including assistance with funding applications such as NRF opportunities, access to the Graduate Research Management System to track academic progress, and training provided through the Research Capacity Development unit. 

Students were also introduced to resources such as the Writing Space Write Space, which supports academic writing development, as well as online self-paced courses designed to strengthen research skills. Beyond academics, Dr Wessels pointed to upcoming opportunities such as the Three-Minute Thesis competition and the annual postgraduate conference, both aimed at fostering research excellence and scholarly engagement.

A transformative academic journey

Prof Reddy described postgraduate education as a defining turning point: 

“Postgraduate study is not just a next step. It is a defining turn in your lives. You move from consuming knowledge to producing it, from answering questions to asking better ones, and from following methods to shaping methods.”

He emphasised that postgraduate students are not only scholars, but also: “knowledge makers, critical thinkers, and future leaders” who will shape society across disciplines. “Your postgraduate education does not narrow your future; it expands it,” he added. 

A partnership rooted in care and purpose

A central message throughout the event was the university’s commitment to partnership. Prof Reddy reiterated that the UFS is dedicated to supporting students holistically, encouraging open communication and engagement with supervisors and institutional structures. 

“Your study and relationship with the UFS is not simply a contract; it is a covenant built on shared trust. It is a relationship shaped by integrity and effort from you, mentorship by your supervisors, and stewardship from the university. Embrace it and enjoy it.”