Read the full inauguration address by Prof Hester C. Klopper.

 Watch the recorded livestream of Prof Hester C. Klopper’s inauguration event.

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.

Confronting the AI revolution in higher education 

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.

Vision of an Entrepreneurial Knowledge Ecosystem 

Prof Klopper shared her vision of the University of the Free State 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 VC Talent Magnet Fund is an ambitious recruitment initiative to attract world-class academic talent to the UFS, offering competitive packages and the opportunity to shape Africa's educational future.

Preserving African identity in a global context

Prof Klopper 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.”

Immediate implementation strategy 

A comprehensive seven-point implementation plan, including the establishment of a Transdisciplinary Innovation Hub on the university’s South Campus in Bloemfontein, transdisciplinary research within synthesised thematic research themes, and the optimisation of professional and support services was outlined. The systemic review and renewal of the academic programme portfolio and academic structures, the launch of a UFS Training Academy for digital-age leadership development, the implementation of a comprehensive transformation scorecard, and the establishment of two consolidated entities – UFS Knowledge Enterprise and UFS Commercial – which will allow for diversification of income and optimisation of assets, made up the rest of the implementation plan.

She also announced the upcoming Free State Futures Forum, a biennial think tank launching in 2026 that will bring together continental and global thought leaders to shape the future from "the heart of South Africa, for the good of our planet."

UFS guardrails for the future

Prof Klopper pointed out that all initiatives will be underscored by four immutable principles – what she referred to as “our guardrails that will guide our journey.” 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. 

Acknowledgement of predecessors

Prof Klopper acknowledged former UFS vice-chancellors, including Prof Frederick Fourie and Prof Jonathan Jansen who attended the ceremony, referring to them as: "All my predecessors, whose vision, dedication, and leadership have shaped this institution into what it is today."

A leader with a wealth of experience, global recognition, and an outstanding record of visionary leadership

Prof Klopper brings with her a wealth of experience, global recognition, an outstanding record of visionary leadership, and academic distinction. Her career spans more than three decades and includes eight postgraduate qualifications – including an honorary doctorate from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom – leadership roles on more than 30 national and international boards, and recognition such as being a Fellow of the Academy of Science of South Africa, a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. Before joining the UFS, Prof Klopper was Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Stellenbosch University for eight and a half years, overseeing Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs.

Congratulatory messages were delivered by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, as well as representatives from the UFS Executive Committee, Senate, professional support staff, alumni, and the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC).