Academic excellence through mentorship

News24

30-05-2025

Strategic Mentoring Programmes Drive Academic Excellence and Transformation
Grow your own timber. This philosophy, rooted in the commitment to invest in 'home-grown' academic talent, has seen the University of the Free State (UFS) continue to make remarkable strides in transforming its academic landscape through innovative mentoring initiatives.
Building on five years of success, the university's comprehensive Transformation of the Professoriate Mentoring Programme has significantly enhanced research output, leadership capabilities, and institutional cohesion.
MENTORSHIP AS A CATALYST FOR TRANSFORMATION
At the UFS, the strategic implementation of structured mentoring has proven to be a powerful tool in building a pipeline of accomplished scholars who are ready to excel at the highest academic levels. This approach recognises that true transformation requires more than just appointments – it demands sustained development and support.
A PORTFOLIO OF SPECIALISED PROGRAMMES
Since launching its Transformation of the Professoriate Mentoring Programme five years ago, the UFS has expanded its initiatives to address the specific needs of academics at different career stages. The current suite of programmes now supports 165 staff members across four tailored interventions:
THE FUTURE PROFESSORIATE PROGRAMME
Targeting academics five to eight years post-PhD, this flagship programme focuses on developing scholars who are poised to become professors and associate professors. The two-year fellowship emphasises building international profiles, increasing research impact through quality publications, and achieving recognition as established researchers through NRF ratings. In total, 41% of the 2025 cohort are black South Africans, 41% are white South Africans, and 18% are foreign-born African scholars.
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THE EMERGING SCHOLAR ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME (ESAP)
This programme supports academics one to four years post-PhD, helping them increase research productivity, prepare for NRF Y-ratings, develop postgraduate supervision capabilities, and advance to senior lecturer positions. ESAP provides crucial early-career guidance that establishes foundations for long-term academic success. In the 2025 cohort, 54% are black South Africans, 32% white South Africans, and 14% foreign-born African scholars.
THE WISE PROGRAMME (WOMEN INFLUENCING SCHOLARSHIP AND EDUCATION) Recognising the unique challenges that mid-career women academics face, WISE provides targeted support to female scholars. The programme emphasises strategic career planning and creating pathways for advancement. Among its 23 participants, 61% are black candidates, reflecting the university's commitment to intersectional representation.
THE RESEARCHER EXCELLENCE ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME (REAP)
REAP supports staff members who are completing their PhD qualifications or have recently graduated. With 54 participants (54% black and 69% women), the programme focuses on successful PhD completion, publishing research findings, and developing scholarship of engagement skills.
ESTABLISHED PROGRAMMES – EXCELLENT RESULTS
The Future Professoriate and ESAP programmes have had a significant impact on the career progression and research productivity of candidates. The results after five years of structured mentoring speak volumes about the programmes' effectiveness:
EMERGING PROGRAMMES – PROMISING RESULTS
The REAP and WISE programmes launched in 2024 are gaining momentum and continue to effectively support members in achieving their career goals.
Beyond these quantifiable achievements, the mentorship initiatives have also fostered a culture of collaboration and excellence that permeates the institution.
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT APPROACH
The UFS mentoring programmes implement a holistic approach to academic development:
Intensive Writing Support: Regular writing retreats provide dedicated time and space for focused research output, with guidance from experienced mentors and editors.
Expert Mentorship: Participants benefit from both internal mentoring and connections with external mentors from leading South African universities, many of whom are A- and B-rated researchers.
Tailored Workshops: Programmes offer customised workshops on supervision, academic leadership, grant writing, time management, and presentation skills.
Peer Learning Communities: Strategic retreats and group sessions foster collaborative networks across departments and faculties, breaking down institutional silos.
Individual Guidance: Each participant receives personalised career planning and progress monitoring towards specific milestones.
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ADDRESSING CHALLENGES PROACTIVELY
While celebrating its successes, the UFS recognises the challenges facing emerging academics, and the toll that high academic output can take on scholars' health and family life. By identifying systemic barriers and providing targeted support, an environment is created where talented academics choose to build their careers at the UFS rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.
This proactive approach has proven effective in retention and succeeded in cultivating a strong community of emerging scholars committed to the institution's future.
BUILDING ON SUCCESS
As the UFS mentoring initiatives enter their next phase, the focus is on sustainability and expanding impact. Alumni of the programmes now serve as mentors themselves, creating a virtuous cycle of development and support.
The university's Vision 130 strategy emphasises continued transformation of the professoriate, with these mentoring programmes serving as cornerstone initiatives.
Through strategic mentorship, the University of the Free State is not only transforming its professoriate but also redefining what academic success looks like in the South African context – ensuring that excellence and representation go hand in hand.
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