UFS

As we mark Human Rights Day, we reflect on how what we learn, research, and experience shapes the way we understand dignity, fairness, and belonging. Here are some voices from our community sharing what that looks like. #HumanRightsDay #UFSHumanRightsMonth2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆! Today is a reminder that human rights are not just something we talk about, but are shaped by what we learn, how we think, and how we treat one another every day. That is where real change begins. #HumanRightsDay #UFSHumanRightsMonth2026

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆." For Amukelani Tshabalala, the transition to university wasn't easy. From facing daunting Mathematics tests to navigating life as a first-generation student, the road to graduation felt steep. But everything changed when he stepped into his first A_STEP Tutorial. Currently, Amukelani is not just a graduate – he is a mentor. After transforming his own grades through A_STEP, he became a tutor to help others find their voice and reach their potential. Read how Amukelani went from tutee to tutor and how you can stay: ufsweb.co/3NCkAIx #AStepAhead.

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 People are at the heart of the university’s global impact. From strengthening public health systems to advancing teacher education across Africa, UFS research helps develop the knowledge and skills that societies need to thrive. Investing in people means investing in the future. Read more here: bit.ly/4bDlDQD Download here: ufsweb.co/impacthub #StudentCentred #ExcellenceInEducation #ResponsibleSocietalFutures

𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 The University of the Free State is helping to bring the stories of South Africa’s young science innovators to national audiences through the new IdeeMakers series. Launched at the Naval Hill Planetarium, the initiative connects school science projects with university research, showcasing how curiosity and discovery can shape solutions for society’s future. Through collaboration with the Tritech Science and Technology Competition and creative partners, the series highlights how ideas sparked in classrooms can grow into the innovations that help build responsible societal futures. Read more: ufsweb.co/47NWxx5 #UFS #ResponsibleSocietalFutures #ScienceForSociety

Prof Hester C. Klopper received the 2026 Forbes Woman Africa Academic Excellence Award at the 11th Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women Summit on 18 March 2026. She dedicated the award to those who make the journey meaningful. From students and colleagues to the women who will follow in her footsteps, this recognition reflects a shared commitment to shaping Africa’s future through knowledge, leadership, and care. Read more: ufsweb.co/3Nzw2oh #UFS #ThoughtLeadership #WomenInLeadership #ResponsibleSocietalFutures #ForbesWomanAfrica #LWS2026

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 Following the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding between the University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of Law and the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University in the United States, law students had the opportunity to train with international legal experts in an intensive trial advocacy programme. Through hands-on courtroom simulations, students had the opportunity to build confidence in trial preparation, arguments, and legal strategy. A special congratulations to Esihle Mbiyo, who was named Outstanding Advocate for her growth and performance throughout the programme. This initiative reflects the UFS’ commitment to student-centred learning and preparing graduates who are ready to make an impact in society. #UFSLaw #StudentCentred #BeyondTheClassroom

𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝘄 How do we build societies grounded in justice and accountability? UFS researchers are exploring issues such as governance, reparative justice, and democratic leadership to strengthen institutions and support peaceful societies across Africa. Knowledge that matters for a just future. Read more here: bit.ly/4bDlDQD Download here: ufsweb.co/impacthub #ResponsibleSocietalFutures #ResearchWithImpact

Congratulations to Prof Hester C. Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State, on receiving the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Academic Excellence Award at the 2026 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit in Johannesburg. Prof Klopper, the first woman to lead the University of the Free State in its 122-year history, has spent more than three decades shaping higher education, advancing nursing and health sciences education, and mentoring the next generation of scholars. Her recognition reflects a career defined by scholarship, leadership, and a deep commitment to expanding access to education and strengthening the role of universities in society. Under her leadership, the University of the Free State continues to pursue its vision of responsible societal futures through impactful teaching, research, and community engagement. We celebrate this well-deserved recognition and the continued influence of Prof Klopper’s leadership across Africa and the global higher education community. #UFS #ResponsibleSocietalFutures #WomenInLeadership #AcademicExcellence #ForbesWomanAfrica #LWS2026 @cnbcafrica @forbesafrica @ForbesWomen

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ⠀ The deadline for incomplete private student accommodation applications of University of the Free State students has been extended to close of business on Thursday 19 March 2026.⠀ We encourage students to urgently ensure that their applications are completed.⠀ #Accommodation #student2026

𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗩𝗔𝗧-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 Stretching your budget doesn’t mean sacrificing nutrition. Did you know these five VAT-free staples can help you save while still eating well? Brown bread Maize meal Dry beans Fresh fruit Fresh vegetables In fact, there are 19 VAT-free food items available. Take a look at the full list to see how you can make the most of these savings. How to use them: Try out this mealie rice and beans pot. Affordable and filling. Visit our website for more budget-friendly meal inspiration: bit.ly/4sL45sC #NSH #Eat&Succeed #UFSFoodEnvironment

𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 The Constitution of 1996 enshrines rights to dignity, equality, housing, healthcare, food, water, and education. On paper, it is a monument to human rights. In practice, a monument to their encryption. Three decades on, South Africa is the most unequal society on earth by Gini coefficient. Over 60% live below the poverty line; unemployment exceeds 40%, writes UFS Prof Munyaradzi Mushonga. Read more: ufsweb.co/4tcojvR #OpinionPiece #HumanRightsDay #EngagedScholarship

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀? The UFS Impact Report 2025 highlights how research, teaching, and partnerships at the University of the Free State are contributing solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges – from public health and climate change to governance, justice, and economic inclusion. Through collaboration and innovation, UFS scholars and students are helping to build knowledge that matters to South Africa, Africa, and the world. Read more: ufsweb.co/3PJy06b #UFSImpact #ResponsibleSocietalFutures #ResearchWithImpact

𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻-𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 A newly established biobank at the University of the Free State is set to strengthen biomedical research in the province while helping train the next generation of clinician-scientists. The initiative is expected to improve understanding of disease patterns in the Free State and contribute to the development of diagnostics and treatments tailored to local health needs. The Faculty of Health Sciences Biobank is a structured and ethically governed facility that collects, processes, stores, and manages human biological samples, including blood and DNA. #RSOBoost

The University of the Free State, in collaboration with the Central University of Technology and the Africa Society for Blood Transfusion, is a key contributor to TransMedAfrica – an ERASMUS+ alliance uniting seven universities and leading blood establishments across three continents. By advancing quality management education in transfusion medicine, UFS is helping shape sustainable, harmonised blood systems that improve safety and expand access where it is needed most. Read more: bit.ly/478zrkK #UFS #CUT #AfSBT #TransMedAfrica #ErasmusPlus #SaferBlood #GlobalCollaboration #AcademicCollaboration

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗡𝗖 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗮. During his guest lecture, Dr Phosa reflected on the importance of integrity, accountability, and responsible leadership as South Africa works to rebuild public trust in its institutions. Read more: ufsweb.co/40w7Hmm #StudentCentred #ExcellenceInEducation #UFSBusinessSchool

𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 Global opportunities in action! Two Social Work students from the University of the Free State, Lisakhanya Jack and Aphelele Sivile, will spend five months studying at Fulda University of Applied Sciences in Germany as part of the longstanding partnership between the two institutions. We wish them every success as they represent UFS on the global stage! Read more: ufsweb.co/47nm0O3 #UFSGlobal #StudentExchange #GlobalLearning #StudyAbroad