By Our Staff Writer
One of Africa’s most decorated and distinguished scholars, Professor Toyin Falola, is set to receive an honorary Doctor of Law (LLD) degree (honoris causa) from the University of the Free State (UFS) on Friday, April 11, 2025. The highly prestigious honour will be conferred during the University of the Free State’s graduation ceremony at its Bloemfontein Campus, where Professor Falola will also deliver the keynote address at the combined graduation and award ceremony.
Honorary qualifications awarded by the University of the Free State are bestowed on two categories of individuals: one, an individual with an outstanding academic track record who enjoys international recognition and two, an individual, not necessarily an academic, whose accomplishments in the fields of science, art, economics, media, culture, leadership, or education have made a difference in the world and whose influence and work may have been of benefit to development in South Africa.
The duality of these honorary qualifications reflects the commitment of the institution to both the Academic (academic excellence) and Human projects (excellence in the service of humanity). This year, the institution honours Professor Toyin Falola, who is a globally acclaimed historian, for his remarkable contributions to scholarship and humanity.
The ceremony, which is scheduled to start at 8.30 AM, will officially open with the constitution of the congregation by the Acting Chancellor, Prof Hester C. Klopper. This will be followed by the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Vasu Reddy, giving his welcome address, then the reading of the house rules and the introduction of the music item by the Programme Director. Next is the presentation of the honorary doctorate recipient, Professor Toyin Falola, to the Acting Chancellor of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof S Kamga. Upon the conferment of the doctorate honour, Professor Falola will proceed to give his acceptance remarks. Next is the presentation of candidates to the Acting Chancellor by the Dean of the Faculty of Law for the award of diplomas in law, to whom Professor Toyin Falola will present a keynote and congratulatory message. Afterwards, the ceremony comes to an end with the dissolution of the congregation by the Acting Chancellor, Prof Hester C. Klopper.
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE (UFS)
The University of the Free State, a South Africa-based university, has a proud history as one of the oldest institutions of higher education in South Africa. It opened its doors in Bloemfontein in 1904 as the Grey University College, with six students in The Humanities. Today it is a multi-campus institution, with two diverse campuses in Bloemfontein and one in Qwaqwa in the scenic Eastern Free State, accommodating more than 39 000 students in its seven faculties (Economic and Management Sciences, Education, Health Sciences, The Humanities, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Theology and Religion), with a significant number of international students and associates, and an ever-widening scope of active involvement in and contribution to its surrounding communities.
Since its founding 121 years ago, the UFS has striven to deliver quality graduates who have made their mark in various sectors. What sets the institution apart is its holistic student support initiatives, which have enabled it to achieve some of the highest success rates in the country. Its top priority remains delivering students who are in high demand in the global job market. The university aspires to be a research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged university that contributes to development and social justice through the production of globally competitive graduates and knowledge.
ABOUT THE HONORARY DOCTORATE RECIPIENT TOYIN FALOLA
Dr Toyin Falola is the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities and a Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He is a Fellow of the Historical Society of the Nigerian Academy of Letters. He has received various awards and honours, including the Jean Holloway Award for Teaching Excellence, the Texas Exes Teaching Award, the Ibn Khaldun Distinguished Award for Research Excellence, and the Distinguished Africanist Award from the African Studies Association. A recent book on Falola is by Professor Serges Kamga, The Complex Interplay between Power, Politics, and African Agency: The Philosophy of Toyin Falola
- The investiture and graduation ceremonies can be watched live through the stream link at https://livestream.ufs.ac.za
