MAKING SIGNIFICANT STRIDES
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE (UFS) HAS CRAFTED A BOLD VISION TO REIMAGINE AND REPOSITION ITSELF AS ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S LEADING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING WITH GLOBAL INFLUENCE AND IMPACT. VISION 130 IS ITS COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY, ILLUMINATING THE WAY TO 2034, WHEN THE INSTITUTION WILL CELEBRATE 130 YEARS OF EXISTENCE. ALREADY, EXCELLENT RESULTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED IN KEY FOCUS AREAS. STUDENT SUCCESS
The UFS is internationally acknowledged for its innovative and effective student support strategies.These initiatives ensure an enjoyable and meaningful student experience and consistently lead to student success. In addition, continued engagement with and financial and advisory support from valuable collaborators such as the Kresge Foundation, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation contribute to improved student success, student development and student employability.
STUDENT EMPLOYABILITY
Collaboration remains a key strategy for the UFS, allowing it to streamline its curricula to remain relevant to industry needs
and to deliver graduates desired in workplaces around the globe. Industry and private sector involvement in the Academic Project is facilitated through a range of academic advisory boards across the institution’s seven faculties.
INTELLECTUAL VIBRANCY
The UFS is passionate about developing platforms and spaces for robust engagement, debate, critical thinking and exposure to diverse views among students. Popular dialogue platforms such as the Global Citizen, the UFS Thought-Leader series and numerous public lectures (including the Vice-Chancellor’s Annual Prestige Lectures) effectively stimulate intellectual vibrancy and assist in strengthening the pathway from undergraduate to postgraduate studies.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
A marked increase in multi- and transdisciplinary projects has been recorded across most UFS faculties, strengthening intellectual cross-pollination. Key academic priorities include ensuring a substantial increase in the number of academic staff with PhDs, strengthening niche research areas, and attracting and retaining exceptional and productive scholars, postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
The UFS boasts several valuable strategic alliances and cocreated projects with local and international universities, the private sector, industry and commerce, foundations and the government. Among these is a project with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), led by the UFS SARChI Chairholder in Pathogenic Yeasts; a multi-million rand grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation to develop and implement palliative care services in the Free State; as well as a R35 million government grant towards the UFS Indigenous Knowledge Hub, to research and develop traditional medicines.
ENGAGED SCHOLARSHIP
The UFS embraces the fact that universities are social institutions that should positively impact society. Integrating different knowledge systems into the UFS Academic Project is, therefore, paramount to achieving visibility and impact.
Together with “Teaching and Learning” and “Research”, “Engaged Scholarship” remains an integral pillar of the university’s scope of operations.This concept entails a collaborative inquiry between academics and practitioners that leverages multiple perspectives to generate knowledge and ultimately work toward finding creative solutions for prevailing societal problems.
DEVELOPING YOUNG ACADEMICS
The UFS strongly emphasises developing young scholars’ careers, with focused initiatives for peer mentorship and reviewing opportunities for junior staff members. Among these initiatives are the Prestige Scholars Programme and the Transforming the Professoriate Mentoring Programme, where emerging scholars get tailor-made, comprehensive, and holistic development opportunities in preparation for their future roles as professors and academic leaders.The university’s focus is on retaining internationally recognised staff while incorporating an aggressive approach to attracting experts with a global reputation in their field.
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ENERGY & WATER MANAGEMENT
The UFS uses its strategic position to drive sustainability issues by establishing green campuses and adopting sustainable built environment practices. It aims to continuously renew, rejuvenate, regenerate and revisit facilities and infrastructure.This has taken the form of establishing energy-efficient buildings, extensive solar energy plants, waterwise landscaping, as well as water saving initiatives such as greywater systems, water restrainers, and pressure control systems.
INSTITUTIONAL CULTURE
The UFS institutional culture is characterised by inclusivity, a sense of belonging, and an appreciation of diverse views. This culture is mirrored in the university’s values of excellence, innovation, accountability, care, sustainability, and social justice. These values are not only professed but also put into action in strategising, teaching, research, and local and global engagements.
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