Prof. Hester C. Klopper was officially inaugurated as the 15th Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Free State (UFS), and the first woman to lead the university in its 121-year history, during a ceremony on the Bloemfontein Campus on 9 June 2025. She was appointed to this position on 1 February 2025.
In her inaugural address, titled Walking Together with Purpose: Unlocking Excellence to Lead Change, Prof. Klopper outlined her vision to transform the UFS into a research-led powerhouse that harnesses artificial intelligence while preserving human connection and African identity.
Prof. Klopper challenged the higher education sector to confront an uncomfortable reality about the pace of technological change versus 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,” she stated. “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 emphasised that it was essential for the UFS to find its unique 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.
Prof. Klopper sees the 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.
“The UFS’ institutional vision rests on five strategic pillars: academic excellence and AI-enhanced research impact, institutional agility in the age of exponential change, a transformational culture for a new generation, systemic sustainability and strategic responsible investment, and collaborative innovation and global integration,” said Prof. Klopper.
She emphasised the UFS’ commitment to its African identity, while pursuing global excellence. Creating responsible societal futures would be the institution’s North Star, as it negotiates the challenging waters of a rapidly changing higher education context.
She also highlighted that it is tempting in an environment of immense technological disruption to simply emulate what other institutions are doing.
“I believe it is essential that we reaffirm our own institutional identity and work towards finding our own solutions – our unique purpose and our place in this future we want to create,” she said. “We need a diversity of public universities with different roles and different missions.”
Prof. Klopper pointed out that all initiatives will be highlighted by four immutable principles. These are: Having people at the centre of UFS strategy and development; the importance of partnership and collaboration; a relentless focus on execution; and having ‘responsible societal futures’ as a central aspect of the university’s vision.
The installation ceremony was attended by the deputy ministers of the departments of Higher Education and Training and Science, Technology, and Innovation, the Premier of the Free State, provincial MECs, members of the Western Cape Parliament, the Mangaung Municipality Executive Mayor, representatives of Free State Traditional Royal Houses, former vice-chancellors and principals of the UFS, staff members, and various stakeholders of the university.
Compiled by Justine Fortuin
