UFS gears up for the future

‘Cause tomorrow is for those who prepare today’

The wisdom contained in this African proverb is true throughout the ages, it resonates in all sectors of society, it resonates in local, regional and global contexts.

At the University of the Free State, we have a clear vision of where we want to be in the next few years, until 2034, when the university will be 130 years old. This vision is summarized in our Vision 130, which expresses our intention and commitment to be recognized by our peers and the community as the top university in South Africa, ranked among the best in the world.

Crucial to this clear vision is an explicit strategy on how to turn the vision into reality. We focus on constantly updating and reimagining ourselves in order to have an effective impact on the communities around us. We aim to do this by building on our enduring strength and success, established and honed since our inception in 1904. We are proud of our consistent growth in student success, which is achieved through a holistic approach to student development; our continued contribution to the area of ​​rare skills in our country and our region; and increase the relevance of the curriculum and the ability of graduates. We are constantly improving research productivity and increasing the number of leading researchers, with distinctive research areas that are constantly growing.

We want to build on this solid foundation, by increasing the number of postgraduate students, recruiting the best students and scholars from diverse backgrounds, developing and fostering cherished partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, and using new and existing technologies fully maximum to increase. quality of learning, teaching, research and business process. Academic excellence, quality and impact lie at the center of our vision. So is the maximum social impact with sustainable relationships, as well as a diverse, inclusive and fair university culture.

We set our sights high, knowing that our institutions have the human capital, resilience and innovation they need to thrive. With the end goal in focus, we are guided by a shining beacon – in the form of the values ​​we subscribe to and value as a university community. Excellence, innovation and impact, accountability, care, social justice and sustainability will always shape and inform our institutional culture and provide a framework for our actions and decisions.

Our main mission is to generate and provide new knowledge that can support the development of society.

The landscape of higher education in the future will be characterized by unprecedented changes, brought about by technological progress, increased internationalization and a new focus on the need to be active and continue to advance society around the world.

This is the future we reach with boldness and confidence, because we prepare today.