The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State has acquired a new treatment system for thyroid disorders that will help ensure that every patient receives a dose tailored to their thyroid, improving outcome predictability while reducing unnecessary radiation exposure. Read more: ufsweb.co/3QiC12j #BeyondTheClassroom #LeadingWithImpact #EngagedScholarship

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆. 𝗙𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘁. That is the challenge that inspired UFS Qwaqwa Campus student Teboho Motsukoane to develop Nexa Pals, an educational technology platform designed to introduce young learners to coding, problem-solving, and digital skills in an engaging and accessible way. At a time when digital skills are becoming increasingly important, Teboho is working to help ensure that young people are not left behind but are equipped to participate in and shape the digital economy. This Youth Month, we celebrate students who are taking action today to help build the future South Africa needs. Read more: ufsweb.co/4dXFFrt #YouthInAction #YouthMonth #UFSImpact

Congratulations to Marisna Nel, Chief Financial Officer at the University of the Free State, on her appointment to the Universities South Africa (USAf) Finance and Investment Committee for a three-year term until May 2029. Her appointment recognises her expertise in higher education finance and reflects the important contribution that UFS leaders continue to make in shaping a sustainable and resilient university sector. Read more: ufsweb.co/4uhNX29 #UniversityOfTheFreeState #ResponsibleSocietalFutures #Impact #AcademicExcellence

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵? The University of the Free State has appointed Prof Narnia Bohler-Muller as Research Theme Leader for Flourishing Life – the first of four flagship research theme leader appointments for the institution. Drawing on Ubuntu, social justice, and interdisciplinary scholarship, her vision aims to position the university as a leading hub for research that contributes to a more inclusive and sustainable future. Read more: ufsweb.co/4xg9XNG #UFSResearch #FlourishingLife #ResponsibleSocietalFutures #ResearchWithImpact

UFS expands holistic student wellness through indigenous spiritual support The University of the Free State has strengthened its commitment to student wellbeing through the appointment of Gogo Bazamile van Zyl as Spiritual Support Practitioner within Student Counselling and Development. The initiative responds to a growing demand for support related to indigenous spirituality and ancestral callings, ensuring that students have access to culturally relevant guidance as part of the university’s holistic wellness approach. Read how this appointment is enhancing student support across all the Bloemfontein, Qwaqwa, and South campuses. Read more: ufsweb.co/3RVAr6Y #UFSStudentLife #KovsieCare #WellBeingAtUFS

After being forced to leave university due to severe vision loss caused by keratoconus, a young student has regained his sight thanks to a successful corneal transplant performed at the Universitas Annex Hospital under the leadership of Prof Wayne Marais from the University of the Free State (UFS). This life-changing procedure was made possible through the generosity of a young organ donor from Bloemfontein and the dedication of several health-care professionals working together behind the scenes. Donor tissue was retrieved and prepared by the Bay Tissue Institute team under the guidance of Dr Theunis Botha, with support from Ryan Scheepers and the team at the Bloemfontein Eye and Laser Clinic. Because of one selfless gift, a young person now has the opportunity to continue pursuing his education and future dreams. Read more: ufsweb.co/4e6A8it #OrganDonation #LeadingWithImpact #EngagedScholarship

More than 100 students have already been supported through the VC–ISRC Imbewu Legacy Fund. With renewed backing from the Motsepe Foundation, the University of the Free State continues to expand access to higher education for students facing financial barriers. Read more: ufsweb.co/4obVuOu #UniversityOfTheFreeState #StudentSuccess #ResponsibleSocietalFutures

𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 Researchers from the University of the Free State Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences have received international recognition in the 2026 Research.com rankings in Ecology and Evolution, and Earth Science. The recognised researchers are Prof Daryl Codron and Prof Peter Taylor in Ecology and Evolution, and Prof Emmanuel Carranza in Earth Science. Their work contributes to advancing biodiversity research, conservation, environmental sustainability, and our understanding of the natural processes that support life on Earth. Read more: ufsweb.co/49RsCW6 #UFS #ResearchExcellence #EnvironmentalScience

For South Africa and Africa in general, the challenge is not simply to mark Africa Month and Youth Month as symbolic events, but to use them as opportunities for deep reflection on how the country and continent can nurture an empowered generation of young people capable of shaping national and continental futures through intentional and structured social transformation, writes University of the Free State’s Prof Mpumelelo E Ncube. Read more: ufsweb.co/3RWdpwL #Opinion#YouthMonth

With an estimated shortage of 4.5 million nurses and 0.31 million midwives expected by the year 2030 – bringing the global shortage of health workers estimated for 2030 to 4.8 million nurses and midwives, according to the WHO, United Nations member states should invest in nurses and midwives as essential pillars of resilient and effective healthcare systems globally. This is according to Dr Sanele Lukhele from the UFS School of Nursing who recently attended the 59th Commission on Population and Development in New York. Read more: ufsweb.co/4fpjQlF #InvestInNurses #LeadingWithImpact #KnowledgeForChange

Climate change, food security, and sustainable farming remain some of the biggest challenges facing society today. At the University of the Free State, seven research chairs are working with farmers, communities, industry, and government to develop practical solutions that support climate-smart agriculture and stronger food systems. Read more here: ufsweb.co/4dK6krE #UniversityOfTheFreeState #FutureFocused #ResearchLed #ResponsibleSocietalFutures

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 The University of the Free State recently hosted a delegation from the University of Zambia’s School of Veterinary Medicine as part of the university’s continued planning towards a proposed School of Veterinary Sciences. The engagement focused on curriculum planning, clinical training, infrastructure development, and regional collaboration aimed at strengthening veterinary science education in Africa. Read more: ufsweb.co/4uLgPkh #UFS #VeterinaryScience #AfricanCollaboration

The University of the Free State is celebrating the achievements of Prof Johan van Niekerk, Prof Jan Willem Swanepoel, Prof Hlamalani Ngwenya, and Dr Herkulaas Combrink, who have been named finalists in the prestigious 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards. Their nominations recognise excellence in climate-smart agriculture, science diplomacy, communication for innovation, and human language technologies, highlighting the impact of UFS research and innovation in South Africa and across the African continent. Read more: ufsweb.co/4nZXkls #UFS #NSTFAwards #ResearchExcellence

South Africa’s White Paper on Local Government Review (May 2026) arrives at a time when communities are preparing to elect leaders to represent their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Across the country, many communities are frustrated by what is increasingly perceived as an uncaring local government system. Trust in local government is at an all-time low, while governance scandals continue to unfold with alarming regularity. Yet despite recognising the importance of governance and ethics, the Review contains a glaring omission: there is no dedicated focus on human resource governance, the institutional backbone of municipal administration. The omission of HR governance from the White Paper Review is therefore not merely a technical oversight; it is a strategic blind spot. If the Review is to succeed where previous reforms have failed, it must elevate human resource governance to the level of a standalone strategic focus area, writes UFS’ Dr Harlan Cloete. Read more: ufsweb.co/4dUUutw #Opinion #LocalGovernmentElection2026 #Local Government White Paper

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 Students from the University of the Free State’s Agricultural Extension Student Network (AESN) gained valuable industry exposure during an educational trip to the NAMPO Harvest Day 2026 in Bothaville. From engaging with leading agricultural organisations and industry professionals to exploring cutting-edge farming technologies and sustainable agricultural practices, the experience provided students with practical insights into the future of agriculture. The initiative reflects the UFS’ commitment to experiential learning and preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to food security, sustainable development, and the agricultural sector. Read more: ufsweb.co/3SdLzvS #UFS #NAMPO2026 #SustainableAgriculture

Protecting vulnerable children requires more than just awareness – it requires collective action. As South Africa commemorates Child Protection Week, Prof Lindi Nel highlights the critical role of universities. These institutions can strengthen child protection systems through engaged scholarship, trauma-informed training, and community collaboration. At the University of the Free State, students are being equipped to respond to human vulnerability with competence, compassion, and ethical responsibility in communities affected by violence, trauma, and inequality. Read more: ufsweb.co/3QcDY05 #ChildProtectionWeek #UniversityOfTheFreeState #Psychology #ChildProtection #TraumaInformedCare

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗻, 𝗞𝗼𝘃𝘀𝗶𝗲𝘀, As you prepare for the weeks ahead, remember that every late night, every study session, and every bit of effort count towards your success. The entire UFS community is rooting for you and wishing you strength, focus, and confidence during this exam season. Good luck with your exams, Kovsies - you’ve got this! #UFS #Kovsies #ExamSeason #GoodLuckKovsies

Event Reminder | Join us today The University of the Free State’s Faculty of the Humanities will host NSI co-Founder and Director, Ivor Chipkin, for an online discussion at 14h00. Titled South Africa’s Third Transition: Elite Competition and Public Service Rationalisation, the discussion draws on extensive research by the New South Institute and explores the evolving relationship between political elites, governance and public service reform in democratic South Africa. The discussion is open to the public and will take place live via Microsoft Teams. Join here: teams.microsoft.com/dl/launc… @UFSweb @PSC_ZA @thedpsa @thensgZA

The University of the Free State (UFS) Next-Generation Sequencing (UFS-NGS) Unit on Tuesday (20 May 2026) not only launched its upgraded facility but also celebrated its 10-year anniversary. On the same night, the unit also celebrated being designated a UFS Sustainability Research Chair. The UFS-NGS Unit is now home to the Research Chair in Genomic Surveillance of Respiratory and Enteric Pathogens from Children in South Africa. The UFS-NGS Unit exemplifies what is meant by research that is relevant, excellent, and impactful. It perfectly aligns with the faculty’s vision of producing world-class graduates and generating knowledge that serves communities. Read more: ufsweb.co/4vdSeEC #FutureFocused #ResearchLed #LeadingWithImpact

𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗔𝗦𝗔 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 Researchers from the University of the Free State Centre for Environmental Management have been recognised as part of the international BioSCape team that received a prestigious NASA Group Achievement Award. Petri Oberholster, Dr Piet-Louis Grundling, and Dr Anthea Grundling contributed to NASA’s first biodiversity-focused airborne and field campaign in South Africa’s Greater Cape Floristic Region. Their work supports critical research into biodiversity, blue carbon, wetlands, and climate change impacts. The project brought together more than 150 scientists from more than 40 institutions worldwide to advance global ecosystem monitoring and conservation efforts. Read more: ufsweb.co/49mmZio #UFS #NASA #Biodiversity