Leading Change: Prof Hester C. Klopper Charts Bold Course for the University of the Free State

History was made at the University of the Free State (UFS) as Prof Hester C. Klopper was officially inaugurated on 9 June 2025 as the institution's 15th Vice-Chancellor and Principal – and the first woman to hold this prestigious position in the institution’s 121-year history. 

Presented in the Odeion Auditorium on the Bloemfontein Campus and attended by a wide variety of university stakeholders, high-profile guests, and staff, the installation ceremony was a momentous occasion, marked by celebratory moments.  

Prof Klopper’s inauguration address, titled Walking Together with Purpose: Unlocking Excellence to Lead Change, unveiled an innovative vision that promises to reshape the UFS and South Africa’s higher education landscape for the digital age. Bold new ventures include two major funding initiatives, as well as the launch of a Veterinary Science programme at the UFS, making it only the second institution in South Africa to offer this qualification. It all forms part of a vision to transform the UFS into a research-led powerhouse that harnesses artificial intelligence responsibly while preserving human connection and an African identity. Creating responsible societal futures is at the centre of this vision.

AI Revolution in Higher Education 

During her inauguration address, Prof Klopper expounded on the educational crossroads facing universities worldwide. While artificial intelligence capabilities double in power every few months, she argued, educational systems remain frozen in 19th-century models. "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 declared.

Prof Klopper has a clear vision for UFS graduates. In a world where AI can process information faster than humans and generate content more efficiently than writers, she urged for a critical evaluation of what makes graduates valuable. "Not their ability to memorise information – AI can do that infinitely better," she explained. "What will make them irreplaceable is their ability to think creatively, empathise deeply, ask the right questions, challenge assumptions, and work collaboratively with both humans and artificial intelligence."

Innovative Abilities within the UFS

Prof Klopper's approach is not about importing solutions from elsewhere. Through extensive engagement with staff, students, and stakeholders since her appointment on 1 February 2025, she has reached the encouraging realisation that the required innovative abilities already exist within the UFS. "How do we further unlock the potential that lies dormant in our own university?" she asked. The answer, she believes, lies in one powerful concept: connection. Transdisciplinary teaching and research and regional and global collaboration form an environment for cutting-edge innovation.

She indicated that the UFS’ purpose is embedded in five intersected and interconnected strategic pillars, four guardrails, and a concise action plan. 

Five Strategic Pillars for the Future

1. Academic Excellence and AI-Enhanced Research Impact tops her agenda. Rather than viewing artificial intelligence as a threat, Prof Klopper envisions it as amplifying human creativity. The university will pursue transdisciplinary research tackling climate change, inequality, and technological disruption. 
2. Institutional Agility in the Age of Exponential Change addresses the bureaucratic bottlenecks plaguing modern universities. A comprehensive digital systems maturity model aims to create seamless experiences while ensuring that systems serve people, not bureaucracy.
3. Transformational Culture for a New Generation goes beyond compliance to create an environment where emotional intelligence, creativity, and adaptability are valued alongside technical knowledge. The focus extends to curriculum innovation and deep societal connection.
4. Systemic Sustainability and Strategic Responsible Investment tackles the financial realities facing higher education. Two new initiatives demonstrate this commitment: The VC-ISRC Imbewu Legacy Fund for student support (already boosted by R1,3 million from the Motsepe Foundation, matched by the UFS) and the Talent Magnet Fund to attract world-class academics. 
5. Collaborative Innovation and Global Integration breaks down artificial barriers between disciplines, institutions, and sectors. Rather than working in isolation, Prof Klopper envisions building future-fit partnerships.  “My vision is for the UFS to become an Innovation Hub – 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.”

Four Guardrails for Success  

Four non-negotiable guardrails will assist the university in guiding this transformation:

1. The Irreplaceable Heart of the UFS is its People, as human connection becomes more precious in the age of artificial intelligence. The Strategic People Development Strategy will assist in building leadership capacity for the digital age. 
2. Leading Through Partnership in the Age of Collaboration will require ‘unified leadership with a unified purpose’.
3. From Vision to Innovative Reality will keep the university focused on the execution and transformative impact of its actions.
4. Responsible Societal Futures will be the institution’s North Star, ensuring that knowledge serves justice, sustainability, and humanity.

A Seven-Point Action Plan    

Moving beyond vision to execution, Prof Klopper announced concrete steps that are already in motion:

1. Establishing a Transdisciplinary Innovation Hub on the South Campus in Bloemfontein to drive research, commercialisation, industry partnership, and student entrepreneurship.
2. Transdisciplinary research within thematic research areas.
3. Optimisation of professional and support services through the alignment and streamlining of functions.
4. Systematically reviewing the academic programme portfolio.
5. A strategic people development strategy driven by the soon-to-be-launched UFS Training Academy.
6. Implementing a comprehensive transformation scorecard.
7. Creating the UFS Knowledge Enterprise and UFS Commercial entities for income diversification.

Walking Into History   

Prof Klopper’s vision positions the UFS not just as a follower of global trends, but as a leader in defining what African universities can become in the digital age. The journey has begun. The destination: a university that does not just adapt to the future but actively shapes it. “We walk together towards responsible societal futures, unified in purpose, committed to excellence, and determined to make the University of the Free State a beacon of hope for our city, our province, our nation, our continent, and our world.”

Contact UFS:

Bloemfontein Campus: +27 51 401 9111

Qwaqwa Campus: +27 58 718 5000

South Campus: +27 51 401 9111

info@ufs.ac.za     

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