The Free State Provincial Research Colloquium is the province’s flagship platform for aligning academic research with policy and implementation. Now in its eighth edition, it convenes researchers, provincial departments, and other stakeholders to interrogate both the drivers and barriers to growth and to translate evidence into policy-ready actions. This year’s theme Inclusive economic recovery and long-term growth signals an emphasis on building a provincial economy that is not only resilient, but also equitable and sustainable across urban and rural contexts.
The programme deliberately combines theory and practice: it looks at how human capital, institutional design, and sectoral innovation (especially in agro-processing) can stimulate jobs and incomes, while also advancing the transformation of human settlements so that services and opportunity are more evenly distributed.
Free State Provincial Government Research Colloquium Quick Summary (Vertical Table)
Item |
Details |
|---|---|
Event |
8th Free State Provincial Research Colloquium |
Theme |
Inclusive economic recovery and long-term growth |
Dates & Time |
7–8 October 2025, 08:00–17:00 daily |
Venue |
ZR Mahabane Building, Central University of Technology (CUT), Bloemfontein Campus |
Host & Partners |
Free State Provincial Government in collaboration with CUT |
Focus Areas |
Human capabilities; institutional performance; innovative agro-processing; transformation of human settlements; fiscally sound public services |
Objective |
Turn research insights into practical, fiscally responsible measures that strengthen governance and service delivery |
Key Participants |
University researchers, provincial departments, policy makers; MECs to participate in proceedings |
Official Link |
Gov.za media advisory (event details & contacts) (Government of South Africa) |
Where and When
The 2025 colloquium takes place on 7–8 October 2025 from 08:00 to 17:00, at the ZR Mahabane Building on the CUT Bloemfontein Campus. The Free State Provincial Government is hosting the event in collaboration with CUT, which underscores the province’s intention to anchor development strategies in credible, local research and skills.
What Will Be Discussed (Core Strands)
- Developing Human Capabilities
Sessions are expected to explore schooling-to-work pipelines, skills for emerging sectors, and public-private models that accelerate graduate absorption vital to inclusive recovery. - Improving Institutional Performance
Panels will examine governance, procurement efficiency, data-driven planning, and performance management in departments and municipalities, with the goal of reducing wasteful expenditure and improving outcomes. - Harnessing Innovative Agro-processing
As a priority growth lever for the Free State, agro-processing can lift rural incomes, deepen value chains, and create SMME opportunities topics the colloquium brings into focus through research-led casework. - Transforming Human Settlements
Evidence-based approaches to upgrading, spatial integration, and service reliability will be considered, with an eye to catalysing long-term, fiscally sustainable improvements in living conditions. - Fiscally Sound, Technology-Enabled Service Delivery
The colloquium’s primary objective is to identify effective fiscal tools and technology adoption pathways that can be implemented quickly supporting governance reforms while safeguarding public value.
Why It Matters for the Free State
The colloquium’s value is not merely academic; it is designed to translate research into implementable measures for departments and municipalities. By convening MECs alongside researchers, the event tightens the loop between evidence, budgeting, and programme design. In practice, that can mean better targeting of infrastructure spend, improved monitoring of results, and partnerships that reduce duplication and unlock co-funding for strategic projects.
Critically, the gathering also helps the province respond to near-term recovery needs without losing sight of structural reforms needed for long-term growth from strengthening institutions to nurturing competitive sectors such as agro-processing and knowledge-based services.
Expected Outcomes
- Actionable recommendations for provincial departments, framed with timelines, partners, and indicative fiscal implications.
- Evidence packs that link specific research insights to practical policy instruments (e.g., targeted incentives, maintenance backlogs, or township enterprise support).
- Collaboration pipelines between CUT researchers, provincial units, and municipalities to pilot and evaluate solutions during the 2025/26 cycle.
- Leadership engagement, with MECs participating to ensure recommendations align with mandates and can move into departmental plans.
Practical Details (Venue, Time, Contacts)
- Dates: 7–8 October 2025
- Time: 08:00–17:00
- Venue: ZR Mahabane Building, CUT Bloemfontein Campus
- Enquiries (Media/Stakeholders): Tshidiso Mokokoane – 082 887 8413
All details above are from the official Gov.za media advisory.
FAQs
1) Who is hosting the colloquium?
The Free State Provincial Government, in collaboration with the Central University of Technology (CUT), is hosting the 8th edition.
2) What is the theme for 2025?
Inclusive economic recovery and long-term growth.
3) When and where is it taking place?
7–8 October 2025, 08:00–17:00, at the ZR Mahabane Building, CUT Bloemfontein Campus.
4) Who will attend?
Researchers and academics, officials from provincial departments (including MECs), and other stakeholders involved in development planning and service delivery.
5) What is the main objective of the event?
To facilitate knowledge sharing that leads to effective fiscal policy tools, stronger governance, reduced wasteful expenditure, high-quality public services, and innovation-driven growth.
6) How can media or stakeholders get more information?
Use the contact listed on the official advisory: Tshidiso Mokokoane (082 887 8413; Mokokoane@treasury.fs.gov.za). (Government of South Africa)
For More Information Click HERE
