UFS Faculty of Health Sciences

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UFS Faculty of Health Sciences

The University of the Free State Health Sciences Faculty is considered one of the best in the countr

Our faculty provides established under- and postgraduate education programmes in:

* The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
* The School of Medicine
* The School of Nursing
* The School of Pathology
* The School of Biomedical Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences renders a quality healthcare service to the diverse health care needs in South Africa, taking into consideration t

he four pillars of:

* teaching and learning,
* research,
* community service and
* service delivery. Participation in various professional and national organizations as well as the faculty's contribution to research has shifted the focus of teaching and training from a purely professional base to a combined professional and educational effort.

28/05/2026

: 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗙𝗦 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁-𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁

The University of the Free State (UFS) Next-Generation Sequencing (UFS-NGS) Unit on Tuesday (26 May 2026) not only launched its upgraded facility but also celebrated its 10th anniversary. On the same night, the unit also celebrated being designated a UFS Sustainability Research Chair.

The evening was attended by Prof Hester C. Klopper, UFS Vice-Chancellor and Principal; Dr Malopo Qhobela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Strategic Initiatives, International and Institutional Affairs; Prof Deliwe Phetlhu, Dean for the Faculty of Health Sciences, as well as other staff from the faculty and partners. The evening started with a ribbon-cutting and tour of the new facility.

In her keynote address, Prof Klopper said everyone was there for three things: to acknowledge the work of the past 10 years, to launch and celebrate the University’s recognition of Prof Martin Nyaga, UFS-NGS head, and the unit as a designated research chair, and lastly to launch the new facility. The UFS-NGS Unit is now home to the Research Chair in Genomic Surveillance of Respiratory and Enteric Pathogens from Children in South Africa.

Read more: https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item/campus-news/2026/may/triple-celebrations-for-the-ufs-next-generation-sequencing-unit

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26/05/2026

𝟭𝟬 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁!

Currently underway, The University of the Free State’s Next Generation Sequencing (UFS-NGS) Unit is proudly celebrating a decade of innovation, collaboration, and scientific excellence.

Researchers, collaborators, students, and university leadership have gathered today at the New UFS-NGS Facility, Pharmacology Building, Ground Floor, Block D, as the university officially launches its new state-of-the-art sequencing facility and commemorates the UFS-NGS Unit’s 10-year anniversary under the leadership of Prof. Martin Nyaga. The event is highlighting the unit’s remarkable journey, groundbreaking achievements, and expanded research capabilities, with the Vice-Chancellor and Principal joining the celebrations.

As part of the celebrations, the unit is also hosting a 3-day NGS Training Workshop from 27–29 May 2026, taking place daily from 09:00 to 15:00.

Celebrating 10 years of advancing genomics research and shaping the future of science.

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22/05/2026

𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗹𝘀𝗲

On Wednesday 20 May 2026, the Division of Health Sciences Education officially opened “The Pulse” - a space transcending the nexus between healthcare and education, going deeper, right into the heart of our identities as healthcare professionals and educators .

Located in the Faculty of Health Sciences Postgraduate Hub, “The Pulse” hosts a vibrant, flexible environment, the living breathing centre of faculty development and educational scholarship supporting collaboration, creativity, and professional growth . Boasting original artwork by die UFS Woolwise project, “The Pulse” is a space where ideas grow, educators connect, and innovation finds rhythm. The Division Health Sciences Education hopes that their mission of Achieving impact through commitment will be their heartbeat into the future.

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21/05/2026

𝟭𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲!

Still interested in the following programmes?

• Bachelor of Medical Science with specialisation in Radiation Science (BMedSc)
• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
• Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom)
• Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy BSc (Physiotherapy)
• Bachelor of Science in Dietetics* BSc (Dietetics)
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy* (BOccTher)
• Bachelor of Biokinetics * (BBiok)
• Bachelor of Sport Coaching (B SportCoach)

You still have a chance to apply! Apply before 31 May 2026.

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21/05/2026

𝟭𝟬 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲!

Still interested in the following programmes?
• Bachelor of Medical Science with specialisation in Radiation Science (BMedSc)
• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
• Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom)
• Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy BSc (Physiotherapy)
• Bachelor of Science in Dietetics* BSc (Dietetics)
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy* (BOccTher)
• Bachelor of Biokinetics * (BBiok)
• Bachelor of Sport Coaching (B SportCoach)

You still have a chance to apply! Apply before 31 May 2026.
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12/05/2026

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆!

The Faculty of Health Sciences Dean, Prof Deliwe Rene Phetlhu wishes our nurses a Happy International Nurses Day.

Extending her heartfelt gratitude to all nurses, nurse educators, researchers and nursing students within our faculty and health care community.

Prof Phetlhu highlights Nursing as more than just profession, signifying that it is a calling rooted in compassion, service, dedication, and resilience. Every day, nurses play a critical role in caring for patients, supporting families, strengthening communities, and advancing healthcare outcomes.
As the Faculty of Health Sciences, we are immensely proud of the contribution our nursing professionals continue to make in education, clinical practice, research, and community engagement. Your commitment and hard work continue to be an inspiration to us all.

On this special day, we celebrate and honour your unwavering dedication to improving lives and delivering quality healthcare under often challenging circumstances.

Thank you for your professionalism, kindness, sacrifice, and commitment to humanity.

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11/05/2026

: 𝗔 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲

Opinion article by Prof Felicity Burt, Principal Medical Scientist in the Pathogen Research Laboratory within the Division of Virology, National Health Laboratory Service and the University of the Free State.

A cruise ship is currently docked off Cabo Verde awaiting investigations regarding an outbreak of hantavirus affecting the passengers. While we wait for the outcome of further testing and confirmation of the strain of hantavirus causing the outbreak, and the extent of the outbreak, we can reflect on what is known about hantaviruses. Understanding how hantaviruses are transmitted to humans can allay fears concerning the potential for spread of the virus.

Hantavirus is the name given to the members of a large family of viruses that are carried primarily by rodents and transmitted to humans via aerosols from infected rodent urine, faeces and saliva, and less frequently from rodent bites.

Read more: https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item/campus-news/2026/may/a-brief-history-of-hantaviruses--rodents--and-disease

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09/05/2026

Today The Faculty of Health Sciences opened doors, sparked dreams and welcomed the future.

University of the Free State Open day 2026 was nothing short of Insipiring!

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08/05/2026

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

07 May 2026 marked the final day of the 2026 Faculty of Health Sciences Maths and Science Competition. The programme concluded with a prize-giving ceremony where we witnessed the outcomes of true dedication and a glimpse into the promising future of mathematics and science.

What began as an idea on paper culminated in learners joining us on the Bloemfontein campus on 31 March 2026 to showcase their strengths in maths and science. We commend their bravery, hard work, and resilience.

A special thank you goes to the schools that participated in this initiative, as well as the examiners, markers, and moderators whose contributions ensured its success. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the colleagues who played a role in the prize-giving proceedings, ensuring that learners were well informed about what the Faculty of Health Sciences has to offer.

Through meaningful community engagement, we not only make an impact but also inspire futures, one learner at a time.

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06/05/2026

𝗦𝗕𝗔𝗛𝗦 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 & 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿

Reminder to join Prof Phetlhu as she will be talking on Navigating the Research Ecosystem: Lessons in Leadership, Grantsmanship, and Capacity Building from the South African and Global Health Landscape.

The University of Ghana has invited Prof Deliwe Rene Phetlhu, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State, to join the SBAHS Monthly Research & Grants Webinar to speak on Navigating the Research Ecosystem: Lessons in Leadership, Grantsmanship, and Capacity Building from the South African and Global Health Landscape.

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 6 May 2026
𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲: 13:00 to 14:30
𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲: MS Teams
𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗗: 364 532 924 848 35
𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲: oN22BP6k

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30/04/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀

Faculty of Health Sciences Dean, Prof Deliwe Rene Phetlhu, formed part of a high-level delegation from the University of the Free State, engaging in strategic discussions aimed at strengthening global partnerships and expanding opportunities for international collaboration in Singapore.

Read more: https://www.ufs.ac.za/templates/news-archive-item/campus-news/2026/april/ufs-strengthens-global-partnerships-through-strategic-engagement-in-singapore

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Address

Faculty Of Health Sciences, University Of The
Bloemfontein
9300

Telephone

+27514013739

Website

http://health.ufs.ac.za/

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