Vol 1 - Support Services Ufs Ac Za - University of the Free State

associated with the NRF Thuthuka Programme atthe UFS – the University is proud to house 73 ratedresearchers. These researchers have successfullyparticipated in a process of evaluation undertakenby national and international peers in their researchfields. An individual’s rating is based primarily onthe quality of their research outputs. This ratingsystem serves as a benchmark of research excellenceand contributes to UFS’s status as one of the top sixuniversities in South Africa 2 . The UFS is home to 11internationally acclaimed researchers, as well as 48established researchers and 14 promising emergingresearchers. More than ten UFS researchers obtaineda first-time rating during 2007.The proactive development of research leaderssuch as these is of particular importance at thepostgraduate level. Therefore, effective and qualitypostgraduate training is essential in increasing theUFS corps of excellent researchers. The DRD isaddressing this need through the establishment of aPostgraduate Student Support Office which willpromote the interests of postgraduate students andpostdoctoral research fellows in synergy with facultyand departmental facilities. More detail about thisinitiative is provided elsewhere in this report.Prof LodewykKock, B1-ratedresearcher inMicrobiology,Food Sciencesand Tech no logy,Health Promotionand Disease Prevention.Prof SakkiePretorius, B1-rated researcherin Agriculture andPlant Production.2 In 2005, the UFS was sixth in the country in terms of percentage of academicstaff with a valid NRF researcher rating. Source: Evaluation and Rating Facts &Figures 2007, NRF Evaluation Centre.14