Prof. Hester Klopper has been appointed as the vice-chancellor and principal of the University of the Free State (UFS) – making history as the first woman appointed to this powerful position. The council of the university announced her appointment on Friday, 22 November, replacing Prof. Francis Petersen.
Klopper will be the 15th vice-chancellor and principal of the UFS. She currently holds the position of deputy vice-chancellor for Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs (SGCA) at Stellenbosch University (SU) in the Western Cape – the position she has held since 2016.
Klopper has a background in the medical field, having served as a nurse and holding strong academic qualifications.
“Prof. Klopper’s academic excellence and global recognition, leadership and strategic vision, commitment to transformation and inclusivity, experience in financial stewardship and institutional advancement, focus on health and well-being, innovation and research impact uniquely position her to lead the UFS. The university is fortunate to be able to appoint such an outstanding candidate,” said David Noko, chairperson of the UFS Council.
Klopper has expressed her appreciation to serve the UFS.
“I am deeply honoured and humbled by the opportunity to serve the UFS. The UFS holds a pivotal role in shaping the future of South Africa and beyond through its commitment to academic excellence, social justice, and transformative leadership. I look forward to collaborating with the entire UFS community, council, staff, students, alumni and partners to advance the university in reaching Vision130.
“Together, we will build on the strong foundation of this great institution, fostering inclusivity, innovation and impact. My dedication lies in ensuring that the UFS continues to thrive as a beacon of knowledge, opportunity and progress for all,” said Klopper.
She will take up her duties in January .
Klopper’s career spans three decades, dedicating herself to advancing higher education. Her work includes serving as a global academic leader, competent executive, published author, proficient public speaker and seasoned researcher. Over a span of 25 years, she has honed her competence and skills in leadership and management within academia and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or non-profit organisations (NPOs), accumulating a wealth of experience.
Klopper began her higher education journey with a qualification in General Nursing Science and Midwifery in 1985, followed by eight additional qualifications between 1986 and 2016, including a PhD from the University of Johannesburg (UJ), an MBA from the University of Luton in the United Kingdom (UK), and an honorary doctorate from the Oxford Brookes University in the UK.
Her portfolio at the SU rapidly expanded to include information governance, business intelligence and data analytics, corporate communication and marketing, and student recruitment, leading to its renaming as the SGCA.
In this vital role, she spearheaded the current institutional strategy, Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework (from 2019 to 2024), the strategic growth, and substantially increased international engagement, elevating the SU’s global prominence through partnerships with academic institutions and networks worldwide.
Her leadership and management extend beyond academia. She has served as chairperson and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Forum of University Nursing Deans of South Africa (Fundisa) and has gained extensive experience in NGO and NPO governance and management. In addition, she served on numerous boards and led one of the world’s largest international nursing organisations, with a membership of more than 135 000 across 95 countries.
During her presidential tenure, significant global expansion was achieved through the Global Advisory Panel on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery (Gapfon).
