Latest news with #ViceChancellor
The Herald
2 days ago
- Science
- The Herald
UFS inaugurates new vice-chancellor and principal
Professor Hester Klopper was officially inaugurated as the 15th vice-chancellor and principal of the University of the Free State (UFS) and is the first woman to lead the university in its 121-year history, in a ceremony at its Bloemfontein campus on Monday. She was appointed to this position on February 1. In her inaugural address, titled 'Walking Together with Purpose: Unlocking Excellence to Lead Change' , Klopper outlined her vision to transform UFS into a research-led powerhouse that harnesses artificial intelligence while preserving human connection and African identity. Klopper challenged the higher education sector to confront an uncomfortable reality about the pace of technological change vs educational transformation. 'Artificial intelligence capabilities are advancing exponentially, doubling in power every few months. However, our educational systems remain fundamentally unchanged from their industrial-era origins. 'We are preparing students for a world that is transforming faster than we can imagine, using methods designed for a world that no longer exists,' she said. Klopper emphasised that it was essential for UFS to find its place and purpose in confronting the challenges faced by the higher education sector, and not merely emulate what other institutions were doing. 'The question before us is not whether we will adapt — it is whether we will step up and lead this transformation or be swept aside by it,' she said. Klopper shared her vision of UFS as 'a true entrepreneurial knowledge ecosystem, thriving on the creative synergy produced when our best academic minds work together across our three campuses, allowing us to be the very best we can be'. She emphasised that preparing students for the world of work will focus on 'their ability to think creatively, to empathise deeply, to ask the right questions, to challenge assumptions, and to work collaboratively with both humans and artificial intelligence'.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
University of Lincoln staff vote strike action over redundancies
Staff at the University of Lincoln have voted in favour of strike action over plans to shed nearly 300 University and College Union (UCU), which has been calling for compulsory redundancies to be ruled out, said 86% of its members who voted had backed a walkout. The dispute is over the university's proposals to cut up to 285 staff with cuts falling across a number of areas, including the Lincoln International Business School and the history department among a statement, the University of Lincoln said: "We have plans in place to minimise any disruption to teaching or the student experience if industrial action goes ahead." The union acknowledged there were challenges across the educational sector but said the crisis had been handled "especially poorly" at the University of said the crisis had been made worse by careless spending decisions and a management team operating with little input from academic staff, or accountability for their general secretary Jo Grady said: "Yearly cuts had damaged staff morale and management must begin listening to their concerns. "If the vice-chancellor continues to refuse to change direction and rule out compulsory redundancies then we will be forced to strike."A University of Lincoln spokesperson said its priority was to "put students first" and it had a "clear vision and plan" amid the financial pressures facing UK universities."We remain committed to meaningful dialogue with trades unions as we reshape the university, in line with our refreshed strategy, to meet the needs of the students, communities and businesses we serve."They said the university expected to "achieve a breakeven position due to careful management of finances over the past two years".Last month, a vote of no confidence was passed in the senior leadership team in response to "the direction the university is going in and the decisions that have been made". Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
