From the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester Klopper
Welcome to the University of the Free State.
O a amohelwa ho University of the Free State.
Welkom by die Universiteit van die Vrystaat.
Siyakwamukela eNyuvesi yase-Free State.
Every generation reaches a moment that demands more of them.
For the University of the Free State, that moment is now.
We stand at a crucial point in human history – a time when artificial intelligence capabilities are advancing exponentially, when complex societal challenges demand innovative solutions, and when the future of our planet depends on the choices we make today. At the University of the Free State, we are not merely responding to these changes. We are leading them.
Our commitment is clear: to contribute meaningfully to responsible societal futures. This commitment shapes everything we do; from the research we pursue to the graduates we prepare; from the partnerships we forge to the innovations we champion.
Walking with Purpose Towards Tomorrow
We are an innovative, research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged university. We are building a future created with purpose, wisdom, and humanity grounded in our values of Excellence, Impact, Accountability, Care, Social Justice, and Sustainability.
We place people first, recognising that our diverse community – comprising students, staff, alumni, and stakeholders – remains the irreplaceable heart of everything we achieve. We forge partnerships that matter, build collaborative relationships that transcend institutional boundaries, and create lasting impact. We are committed to execution that delivers, moving beyond aspirational statements to tangible action and measurable outcomes. And we maintain an unwavering commitment to thinking beyond the present moment, anticipating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead so that we may lead rather than follow the transformations shaping our world.
The Heart of Our Mission: People and Impact
Across seven faculties and three campuses, the University of the Free State has grown into one of South Africa's most esteemed institutions.
But our measure of success is not in numbers – it is in impact.
We are preparing graduates who will lead with empathy, creativity, and moral courage. Graduates who are sought after globally because they understand both the local context and global imperatives. Graduates who create employment rather than merely seek it, and who are stewards of the environment and champions of social justice.
Our research addresses the urgent needs of our time through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Africa Agenda 2063, and the National Development Plan 2030. We are building partnerships that dissolve the boundaries between academia and industry, creating knowledge that transforms lives and communities.
An Invitation to Shape the Future
The future is not something that happens to us. It is something we create together. Whether you are a prospective student seeking to make your mark in the world, a researcher ready to help solve humanity's greatest challenges, or a partner committed to sustainable development, the University of the Free State offers you a space to innovate, to grow, and to lead.
We are a community that cherishes our diversity, but is united in purpose: confident, courageous, and committed to building responsible societal futures.
Join us on our journey.
Prof Hester C. Klopper
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
University of the Free State
Dear Colleagues and Students,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Prof Sam Tshehla as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategic Initiatives, International and Institutional Affairs, effective 1 April 2026.
Prof Tshehla is an academic leader, applied mathematician, and higher education strategist with more than two decades of experience in university leadership, research, and institutional development. Most recently, he served as Professor of Mathematics and Dean of the Faculty of Military Science at Stellenbosch University (SU), where he has played a pivotal role in advancing academic excellence, research impact, and international engagement within the faculty. He also served as acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs at SU, where he led key institutional priorities, including strategic planning, global engagement, international partnerships, student recruitment strategy, and corporate communication. His leadership contributed to strengthening the university’s strategic positioning and global engagement, while fostering collaboration with government, industry, and academic partners.
Prof Tshehla holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Cape Town, an MSc in Applied Mathematics (cum laude) from the University of Limpopo, and he recently completed a Master of Business Administration (Executive) at the University of Cape Town, focusing on leadership effectiveness in higher education institutions.
An accomplished scholar in applied mathematics, Prof Tshehla’s research interests include fluid mechanics, thin-film fluid dynamics, and the mathematical modelling of physiological flows, particularly blood flow systems. In addition to his academic work, he has delivered numerous invited lectures and keynote addresses within the security and defence sector nationally and internationally, contributing to leadership development and governance discourse across Africa and beyond.
Prof Tshehla’s contributions to higher education and security education have been widely recognised. He has received several prestigious awards, including the Golden Star Award for Distinguished Service in Security Education in Africa, the Africa Leadership Award in Education for Best Professor in Military Science, and recognition among the 251 Fabulous Leaders in the World in the field of education by the World Education Congress. Prof Tshehla has undertaken extensive executive and leadership training, including the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD and the Nyukela Programme for entry into South Africa’s Senior Management Service through the National School of Government.
Prof Tshehla is a seasoned academic leader who brings extensive expertise in strategic planning, institutional foresight, and executive governance. Having served in executive roles, he has a proven ability to translate vision into measurable outcomes. He has driven global research partnerships and global engagement frameworks, as well as inclusive curriculum initiatives. His commitment to innovation ensures that he is uniquely positioned to enhance the University of the Free State’s global visibility and social impact.
On behalf of the university’s Executive Management Team, I congratulate Prof Tshehla on this significant appointment. I look forward to working with him and am confident that, under his leadership, we will expand our global footprint. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment in our university’s journey as we actively pursue Vision 130.
Please join me in welcoming Prof Tshehla to the University of the Free State. I am confident that under his leadership, the Strategic Initiatives, International and Institutional Affairs portfolio will grow from strength to strength.
Sincerely,
Prof Hester C. Klopper
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
University of the Free State