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

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ating Prof Hudson became the first UFS Thuthukagrant holder to be rated by the NRF.It is clear that the future research reputation ofthe University rests upon the shoulders of itsemerging researchers. Supporting an equitable anddiverse research culture at the UFS not only involvesthe nurturance of competence and enthusiasmamong this group of researchers in particular; italso requires the continued expansion and re ju venationof a strong corps of leading researchers. Withthis in mind, the DRD has identified the need tofacilitate and accelerate the proactive developmentof the next generation of research leaders and isdesigning a Research Leadership Programme toaddress this need. This new initiative will focus onresearchers at all levels, paying particular attentionto the identification and further development ofpromising black and female researchers.Prof Heidi Hudson is the first UFS Thuthuka grant holder toreceive a researcher rating (C1) from the National ResearchFoundation.Financial SustainabilityEnhancing the profile of the University as are search-oriented institution, in order to effective ly increase income from externalsourcesIn addition, Prof Heidi Hudson received thehighest rating in the category of establishedresearcher (C1) in 2007. While all reviewersconcurred that she is an established researcher witha sustained record of pro ductivity in the field ofPolitical Sciences and Public Policy, some indicatedthat she already enjoys considerable internationalrecognition for her high quality outputs. With thisResource allocation and distribution reflect theextent to which research is prioritised in an institution,as well as the feasibility of de ve lop mentplan ning and the effective im ple men ta tion ofresearch policies. The University has shown its commitmentto research by in creasing central researchfunding dramatically to R26 million in 2007(including the Cluster allocation).20
There has been a similarly significant increase infunding for research at the UFS from externalsources. The DRD makes every effort to keep abreastof external funding opportunities and is in constantcontact with primary national funding agencies(such as the NRF, Water Research Commission andthe Medical Research Council) as well as variousinternational funding sources. The University’s NRFfunding allocation, for example, has increased bymore than 105% since 2004 (see Figure 2).A number of factors and directed initiativeshave contributed to this increase in external researchfunding. The Strategic Academic Clusterinitiative, for example, has contributed greatlythrough its association with the NRF InstitutionalResearch Development Pro gram me Research NicheArea (RNA). The eight UFS RNAs entail 24 NRFfundedresearch projects, representing a combinedtotal commitment of almost R30 million to the UFSover the next five years (2008-2012).Another key reason for the significant increasein NRF allocation to the University is linked to theNRF Focus Area Programmes. In 2005 and 2006 – inan attempt to increase the number of researcherssupported within these Focus Area Programmes –an initiative was introduced whereby seed fundingwas provided from the Strategic Research Fund tosupport UFS applicants who had not been successful,but who had received a favourable as sessment.This funding is granted to encourageapplicants to revise proposals and to re-apply.In 2005 the UFS was one of only nine ap plicationsfunded by the Research Infra structure SupportProgramme of the NRF and received almost R2million designated for research infrastructure andequipment. In 2006 the UFS received a further R1.5million, and for 2007, R2.5 million was allocated tothree of the University’s researchers.Finally, the very successful increase in Thuthukagrant holders (noted earlier) resulted in almost R1.8million in additional research funding since 2004.Figure 2: NRF Funding Allocation to the University of theFree State (2004-2007).The DRD continues to investigate opportunitiesto increase the financial sustainability of research atthe UFS. Some very promising endeavours with respectto the commercialisation of research have beenundertaken and are highlighted elsewhere in thisreport. Cognisant of the importance of solicitingresearch funding from abroad, concerted efforts arealso being made through the InternationalisationOffice where dedicated staff members support UFS21
Page 3 and 4: Celebrating research development an
Page 5 and 6: Table of ContentsForeword .........
Page 7 and 8: Message from Prof Frederick FourieF
Page 9 and 10: Message from Prof Teuns VerschoorTh
Page 11 and 12: Message from Prof Frans Swanepoelma
Page 13 and 14: Future VisionA new strategic framew
Page 15 and 16: Significant Institutionalplishments
Page 17 and 18: Significant Institutional Accomplis
Page 19 and 20: Prof James duPreez, B2-ratedresearc
Page 21 and 22: students from priority groups - exh
Page 23: Table 1: Promising Emerging Researc
Page 27 and 28: Minister Mosibudi Mangena (Minister
Page 29 and 30: Attending the recognition functionf
Page 31 and 32: The Strategic Academicr Initiative2
Page 33 and 34: The Strategic AcademicCluster Initi
Page 35 and 36: odies are sustained by their ecosys
Page 37 and 38: programmes are not imple mented eff
Page 39 and 40: transformation. Such transformation
Page 41 and 42: y biotic and abiotic constraints in
Page 43 and 44: Focus Areas1. Nano solid state mate
Page 45 and 46: dimensional electrophoretic analysi
Page 48 and 49: 44Internat
Page 50 and 51: Staff members at the UFS Internatio
Page 52: and expansion of research membershi
Page 55 and 56: Research Commercialisationand Coope
Page 57 and 58: Research Commercialisation andCoope
Page 59 and 60: Foundation (NRF), which contributes
Page 62 and 63: 58Student
Page 64 and 65: Postgraduate students are the resea
Page 66: students; post graduate topics; sup
Page 69 and 70: Outstanding Researchements65
Page 71 and 72: Outstanding Research AchievementsTh
Page 73 and 74: Prof Max Finkelstein, Senior Profes
Page 75 and 76:
Prof Johan Meyer, Senior Professor
Page 77 and 78:
evalua tion panel for the European
Page 79 and 80:
of the Free State’s Department of
Page 81 and 82:
Delivered the best presentation on
Page 83 and 84:
Shaw, WDepartment of Medical Physic
Page 85 and 86:
At Judge Fritz Brand’s inaugural
Page 87 and 88:
At Prof Alice Pell’s inaugural le
Page 89 and 90:
Research85
Page 91 and 92:
Economic and Management SciencesMes
Page 94 and 95:
Prof Letticia Moja (Dean: Faculty o
Page 96 and 97:
leukaemia and to test new anti-canc
Page 98 and 99:
It is also a priority to make funds
Page 100:
esearch and development. In the fol
Page 103 and 104:
LawMessage from the Dean: Prof Joha
Page 105 and 106:
through the unlocking of a source t
Page 107 and 108:
103
Page 109 and 110:
Natural and Agricultural Sciencesth
Page 111 and 112:
107
Page 113 and 114:
TheologyMessage from the Dean: Prof
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Vol 1 - Support Services Ufs Ac Za - University of the Free State

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