IFR 50th anniversary celebrations

On 25 April 2024 the Institute for Futures Research (IFR) celebrated its 50-year anniversary since its launch in 1974.

During the early 1970s the notion of establishing a facility for futures studies at Stellenbosch University came to the fore and the Unit for Futures Research (UFR) was officially launched by the Rector, Prof JN de Villiers, on 25 April 1974 as a research unit within the Bureau for Economic Research (BER). The speakers at the launch meeting included Dr Alexander King, the former Director-General of Scientific Affairs of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and a Deputy Chairman of the Club of Rome.

Today, the unit is known as the Institute for Futures Research (IFR) and is headed up by its first female director Doris Viljoen.

We have planned various activities to celebrate this milestone during the course of 2024. This is what you can look forward to:

1. Celebrating our 50-year anniversary with staff at Stellenbosch Business School

Where there's a celebration, there must be cake. On 25 April 2024, the Institute for Futures Research celebrated its 50-year anniversary with faculty and staff of the Stellenbosch Business School! Here is to the next 50 years! Click here to see more.

2. Listening to our '50things' podcast series

Listen here

Welcome to '50things,' a podcast series celebrating our 50th anniversary. In each episode, we dive deep into the milestones, innovations, and people that have shaped our journey and the world around us.

3. Compiling a research report on the futures of wastewater management in SA

4. Presenting a masterclass as part of the IFR's 50-year celebrations