(AGENPARL) – Fri 20 June 2025 PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 June 2025
CUT Professor appointed as a member of the Provincial Health Research Committee of the Free State Department of Health
Prof. Pakiso ‘Parks’ Moses Makhoahle, a Senior Lecturer, Biomedical Technology, in the Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) has recently been appointment as a member of the Provincial Health Research Committee of the Free State Department of Health (PHRC-FS) for the term 2025-2028.
Makhoahle holds a BSc in Microbiology and Biotechnology, a B.Med.Sc Hons in Medical Microbiology, and an M.Med.Sc in Medical Microbiology and Virology from the University of the Free State. He further obtained a Doctorate in Health Sciences (Biomedical Technology) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education CUT.
A multi-award-winning academic, Makhoahle has served as a reviewer for the National Research Foundation (NRF), postgraduate examiner for multiple universities, and recipient of several Vice-Chancellor’s Awards. In 2024, he was selected as one of 52 participants nationwide for the prestigious TAU 5 Fellowship Programme, during which he spearheaded the development of a student financial assessment mobile application. He played a pivotal role in establishing the CUT Centre for Quality of Health and Living (CQHL), a state-of-the-art facility for biochemistry and tissue culture research.
His new role involves overseeing the implementation and quality of health research conducted in the province. He will also ensure that health research agendas and resources are aligned with priority health issues, advise the MEC on applying and implementing an integrated national strategy for health research, and coordinate research activities among public health authorities.
Reflecting on his appointment, Prof. Makhoahle said “I feel deeply humbled, grateful, and inspired by this appointment. It is both a recognition of my contribution to research and a call to serve with greater commitment. I see this opportunity as a platform to work collaboratively with other professionals to shape a healthier, research-informed future for the Free State.”
He added that he is eager to learn, contribute, and serve with integrity, diligence, and purpose. “This appointment is not just a personal milestone but a professional responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of health research in the province. The committee’s mandate to guide, align, and oversee research initiatives within the framework of national and provincial legislation speaks directly to the importance of evidence-based policymaking. As a member, I will be expected to support the coordination of research activities, ensure focus on priority health issues, and contribute towards the development and implementation of an integrated strategy for health research,” said Makhoahle.
As a scientist and academic, his role will extend beyond governance; it will involve translating rigorous academic research into actionable strategies that will improve public health outcomes. “I intend to contribute by ensuring that the health research undertaken in the province is ethically sound, contextually relevant, and responsive to the lived realities of our communities. I also aim to foster stronger collaborations between higher education institutions and the Department of Health to ensure that academic insights directly inform service delivery and health system reform,” he concluded.
About CUT
CUT is the foremost higher education institution in the heartland of South Africa, dedicated to quality education and training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. CUT boasts pockets of excellence, including a premier Hotel School and leading research and innovation platforms, e.g., world-class medical product development through 3-D printing technology.
For more information about CUT, visit http://www.cut.ac.za.
END…/
For media related information contact
Kind regards,