From the studio to the world stage. Associate Professor Danré Strydom of the UFS Odeion School of Music has joined the Vandoren artist list as the first artist from Africa.⠀
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#UFS #OdeionSchoolOfMusic #VandorenArtists
𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲-𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝟯𝗗 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵⠀
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Researchers at the University of the Free State are helping to shape the future of construction technology after successfully designing and building a large-scale concrete 3D printing system entirely in-house.⠀
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Developed by the Green Concrete Lab under the leadership of Dr Hossein Naghizadeh, the facility is advancing sustainable infrastructure research, digital construction innovation, and future-focused engineering skills development in South Africa.⠀
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The project not only saved an estimated R6 million through local development, but it also provides students and researchers with hands-on experience in robotics, automation, digital fabrication, and sustainable construction technologies.⠀
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Read more: https://ufsweb.co/4v7pLk7 ⠀
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#UFS #EngineeringInnovation #FutureOfConstruction
𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝘄 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗳𝗳 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗢𝟮 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵⠀
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Researchers affiliated with the Department of Chemistry at the University of the Free State have been recognised with the prestigious Douw Greeff Award from the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns for their research on carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture and conversion.⠀
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The award was presented to Prof Andreas Roodt, Prof Johan Venter, and Dr Shaun Redgard for their article on homogeneous catalytic CO₂ capture and cyclic carbonate formation, published in the Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie.⠀
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The research explores sustainable approaches to CO₂ capture and the development of value-added green products, contributing to continuing global efforts aimed at carbon reduction and sustainable chemistry initiatives.⠀
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#UFS #ChemistryResearch #Sustainability
The University of the Free State congratulates Prof Melanie Walker and Prof Ivan Turok on their selection by Research.com among the 2026 Best Social Sciences and Humanities Scientists in the world. Ranked 38th and 29th nationally, these distinguished achievements highlight their commitment to contributing meaningfully to responsible societal futures, once again benchmarking the institution as a leader in innovative research that is student-led and regionally engaged.⠀
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#UniversityoftheFreeState #ResponsibleSocietalFutures #AcademicExcellence
May is Lupus Awareness Month and serves as a reminder that this disease, despite affecting millions of people globally, still does not receive the level of public attention or research funding it deserves.
If you know someone living with lupus, this month is a good time to learn more, check in on them, and simply acknowledge what they carry every day. And if you are living with lupus yourself, know that your experience is real, your fight is valid, and you are not alone.
#LupusAwarenessMonth #ResearchLed #UniversityOfTheFreeState
The University of the Free State (UFS) recently welcomed a high-level delegation from Sasol as part of continuing efforts to deepen institutional collaboration and advance research partnerships that are aligned with national and global development priorities. Read more: https://ufsweb.co/4tvRKbG
#UniversityOfTheFreeState #UFSImpact #ResponsibleSocietalFutures
𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The University of the Free State South Campus recently welcomed a delegation from Motheo TVET College for a benchmarking engagement on student housing and residence management practices. The visit focused on residence operations, student support services, leadership development, safety measures, and holistic student well-being. Through collaboration and shared institutional learning, both institutions explored ways to strengthen student accommodation systems and enhance the overall student experience. The engagement also reaffirmed a shared commitment to advancing student-centred residence environments within higher education. Read more: https://ufsweb.co/3PdPxnn
#StudentCentred #AcademicSupport #WellbeingAtUFS
Some community organisations in Qwaqwa are doing life-changing work with little to no funding, limited visibility, and volunteers who are already stretched thin. Yet despite this, they continue showing up for their communities every day.⠀
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Recognising this reality, the Department of Community Development under the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the University of the Free State’s Qwaqwa Campus recently hosted a fundraising workshop aimed at helping community-based organisations strengthen their sustainability through grant writing, fundraising strategies, financial planning, and digital storytelling. The initiative forms part of the University’s broader commitment to uplifting and working alongside communities in its rural context.⠀
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#EngagedScholarship #UFSImpact #TransformingTomorrow
Student-athletes continue to shape the spirit and excellence of the University of the Free State, both on and off the field. Through Project Empower, the university supports their academic success, mental well-being, and sporting performance to help shape responsible societal futures.
Scroll through to see some of the student-athletes supported through Project Empower.
#StudentCentred #UniversityoftheFreeState #ResponsibleSocietalFutures
Students are urged to visit the University of the Free State’s official social media pages for accurate announcements and to avoid falling for misleading or unverified updates.
Yesterday, on International Nurses Day, the University of the Free State’s Qwaqwa Campus honoured the nurses who continue to care for students and staff with compassion, patience, and dedication throughout the year. For many students, especially those far from home and without access to private healthcare, the campus clinic becomes a place of comfort, reassurance, and support during difficult moments.⠀
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The nurses’ work extends far beyond consultations and treatment, often becoming a source of emotional care for students navigating the pressures of university life. Join us in recognising and appreciating the often unsung heroes who continue to make a meaningful difference within the university community. ⠀
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#StudentCentred #WellBeingAtUFS #UFSUbuntu⠀
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𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮’𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵-𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.⠀
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Ahead of International Nurses Day, the University of the Free State Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Hester C. Klopper, challenged nursing educators to rethink how future nurses are prepared for increasingly complex health-care environments.⠀
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#UFS #ResponsibleSocietalFutures #FutureFocused#InternationalNursesDay
