Amid global transformation, the UFS leads with integrity and ambition, driving impactful research, purposeful innovation, and collaborative scholarship to shape sustainable futures and strengthen society through knowledge that matters.
The world finds itself in an era where there is no blueprint for universities on how to approach the future. In an increasingly interconnected and evolving world, it is tempting to emulate what other institutions are doing. However, I believe that it is essential that we affirm our own institutional identity and work towards finding our own solutions – our unique purpose, and our place in this future that we want to create.
Walking with purpose has always been more than a metaphor; it is a way of being. As a university community, we continue to advance towards a horizon defined not only by excellence in research, teaching, and engagement, but by values that guide our steps along the way. We are building upon a foundation of excellence, steering towards our vision of being a ‘research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged university’. This vision is a living, breathing commitment that must be embodied by every member of our university community. One of the five intersected and interconnected strategic pillars that embed our purpose is academic excellence and AI-enhanced research impact, which infers exponential growth in transdisciplinary research that tackles the wicked challenges of our time – climate change, inequality and poverty, technological disruption, planetary health, and social transformation.
The University of the Free State continues to strengthen its position as a leading institution committed to excellence in research, innovation and societal impact. Our strategic vision, grounded in the ethos of ‘walking with purpose’, has guided the implementation of key initiatives that not only embody our own Vision 130 but also, through focused collaboration and evidence-based decision-making, we continue to contribute meaningfully to the United Nations Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with focus on Investing in People, Protecting the Planet, Enabling a Prosperous Society, and Promoting Peace and Justice for All, as well as the African Union’s long-term development plan (Agenda 2063), and the South African National Development Plan.
This impact report not only demonstrates our determination to create environments where ideas thrive and solutions emerge but also reflects the tangible progress made through strategic investments in people, infrastructure, partnerships, and programmes that expand access, foster innovation, and advance sustainability; it celebrates the remarkable journey of the University of the Free State in 2025 – a year of renewal, resilience, and responsible stewardship. Each achievement reflects the dedication of our people: students, academics, professional staff, and partners who together exemplify our shared purpose.
As we reflect on our impact, we are reminded that progress is not measured solely by outcomes, but by the integrity of the journey itself. Together, we walk with purpose, guided by values, united in a vision to shape a future defined by compassion, innovation, a shared purpose, and committed to shaping a just and sustainable future.
Amid global transformation, the UFS leads with integrity and ambition, driving impactful research, purposeful innovation, and collaborative scholarship to shape sustainable futures and strengthen society through knowledge that matters.
