Community engagement 2024

Eskom Expo for Young Scientists 2024

Dr PC de Wet served on the ESKOM Expo for Young Scientists organising committee in the Bloemfontein area (organised and coordinated adjudicators/judges and convenors). E Anirudh, Prof P Maass, and Dr M Ferreira served as conveners/judges in the category Biomedical Sciences at the ESKOM Expo for Young Scientists held at the Central University of Technology on 1 and 2 August 2024. R Thubisi acted as a selector for the expo. Dr De Wet was the appointed delegation leader for the Bloemfontein region group of learners representing the Free State at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair in Gauteng from 23 to 27 September 2024.

UFS CrazySox4Docs 2024

In support and awareness of the mental health of medical professionals worldwide, students and staff were encouraged to participate in the CrazySox4Docs initiative. Students from the BSc Forensic Science, Physiotherapy, and Nursing programmes and the lecturing staff were photographed with their colourful and funky socks during May 

UFS Connect2Kovsies 2024

On 27 July 2024, the UFS held an engagement event with prospective students, outlining the relevant information regarding applications to study at the UFS and a showcase of the courses available at the university.

Departmental World Anatomy Day 2024

In keeping with tradition, the Department of Basic Medical Sciences held a World Anatomy Day (15 October 2024) creative art competition for students studying Anatomy. Submissions were received from students in the Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy programmes. These artworks included clay models of the bronchial tree and kidney, a crocheted vertebral column and skeleton, poems about the value of organ systems, baked cookies of the skeleton, as well as three-dimensional models, sketches, and paintings of various anatomical structures and regions. All artworks showcased the incredible talent of the students, extending beyond the boundaries of the typical classroom. These artworks showed how the students humanised the study of anatomy, appreciated their own bodies, and expressed their closer engagement with anatomy in the real world.

Departmental World Physiology Week 2024

A pilot initiative celebrating the beauty and complexity of human physiology saw students in the final year of their BSc degree in Physiology and Genetics/Biochemistry course submitting three-minute videos for a creative video competition under the guidance of Dr PC de Wet (course coordinator).

                                           
                          Nursing programmes. First-place winner – student T Tinkhof

                                        

Dr S van Niekerk, Mr O Rabaji,  Dr A Grobler, and Dr De Wet engaged with learners of the Curro School at their annual Science Awareness Day on 10 October 2024.

 

 

From the left: Prof R Rubello, Dr PC de Wet, Dr M Ferreira, Prof P Maass, and E Anirudh served as conveners/judges in the category Biomedical Sciences at the ESKOM Expo for Young Scientists held at the Central University of Technology in August 2024.

UFS CrazySox4Docs 2024

S Singh, Dr A Grobler, E Anirudh, and student winners from the Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy programmes

Dr PC de Wet with winners of the video competition

Community engagement 2023

Dr Anli Grobler and Dr Sonja van Niekerk acted as facilitators for fourth-year medical students in Trompsburg during the week of 20 to 24 February 2023 as part of the Interprofessional Programme.

The following staff members from the department acted as facilitators for third-year medical students during visits to the Bloemfontein retirement village in 2023: Dr Nsidi Moopela, Dr Sonja van Niekerk, Dr Mada Ferreira, Ms Zinhle Mvelase, Dr Carina Vorster, and Dr A Mostert.

On 24 June 2023, Dr Roné Vorster-De Wet engaged with Grade 12 learners from the Gariep Oranjekrag Combined Intermediate School in the Southern Free State, where she delivered an academic motivational presentation. She also delivered a motivational talk at the Matric farewell of the Gariep Oranjekrag Combined Intermediate School on 28 September 2023.

Under the guidance of supervisors in the department, the BMedSc Honours (Physiology) students produced a community engagement poster in 2023, which will be displayed on a rotational basis at schools in Bloemfontein.

On 29 July, the UFS welcomed prospective students for a visit to the campus and to interact with staff in various programmes. Mr Ezra Anirudh, who is the new chairperson of the departmental marketing team, coordinated the departmental representation, while postgraduate coordinators Drs Roné Vorster-De Wet and Petra Maass were available to provide prospective students with information about the Physiology and Anatomy modules in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

The department took part in the CrazySox4Docs initiative to raise awareness for the mental well-being of healthcare professionals. A video message with photos of staff and students wearing their weird and funky socks in support of the initiative was on display in the faculty during the month of May.

               

World Anatomy Day (WAD)

The first International Anatomy Day was celebrated on 15 October 2019. It provided anatomists with an opportunity to celebrate anatomical advances and convey the need for more research and development in the field. In celebration of World Anatomy Day on 15 October 2023, the department hosted an anatomy art competition. Students enrolled in Anatomy courses in the Faculty of Health Sciences submitted various types of art, such as mosaics, clay models, and papier-mâché sculptures, as well as paintings. The overall winner was Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy student Carla Crous, who sculpted a beautiful skeletal hand holding a heart, winning her the prize, which included a book voucher from Elsevier. Dr S van Zyl, Dr P Maass, and EE Anirudh served as category judges for artwork submissions from the MB ChB, BSc, Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy groups.         

Dr Ntsapi published an article in The Conversation, a network of not-for-profit media outlets, discussing the potential of intermittent fasting to protect the brain from age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's. The article was ranked as the ‘top article’ at the UFS in July 2023, with 15 053 reads. Her research has also been transformed into an online podcast for the Daily Maverick, a South African online news publication and weekly print newspaper, exploring how intermittent fasting could help protect the brain from age-related diseases. She published an online article in News24 in July 2023, which was further made available as a podcast and short YouTube clip, discussing the potential of intermittent fasting to protect the brain from age-related diseases. She conducted a telephonic interview with the editors of Being Patient, an online newsletter and support community for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and caregivers. She engaged in radio interviews – facilitated by the UFS Department of Communication and Marketing – on Radio 785, Radio 2000, SAfm, and SABC 2 (online) from July to October 2023. Topics included the potential benefits of intermittent fasting for brain health

Annual Eskom Expo for Young Scientists

The Free State regional competition of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists was held on 3 and 4 August at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein. Dr Roné Vorster-De Wet acted as judging coordinator, Dr Mada Ferreira acted as theme judge, and Dr Petra Maass and Ezra Anirudh acted as both judges and theme convenors for the Biomedical Sciences category.

Photo: Posters designed by BMedSc Honours (Physiology) students Tshegofatso Motlhabane and Aurielle Louw, which will be displayed on a rotational basis at schools in Bloemfontein.

Photo: The department took part in the # KovsieConnect Open Day event presented on 29 June 2023. Dr Roné Vorster-De Wet represented the Physiology stream, and Ezra Anirudh and Dr Petra Maass represented the Anatomy stream at the Department of Genetics facilities.

                                                                                      

Photo: ASSA celebrated the Fourth World Anatomy Online Symposium on 13 October 2023, showcasing current Anatomy Research and Art.

                                                              

 Photo: Drs Roné Vorster-De Wet, Petra Maass, Mada Ferreira, and Ezra Anirudh at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists held at the Central University of Technology (CUT).

 

Community engagement 2022

• Eskom Expo for Young Scientists

  Mr. E Anirudh, Ms. Y Benade, Dr. A Mostert, Dr. R de Wet, and Dr. P Maass served as conveners and on the judging panel in the categories Biomedical, Medical and Social sciences at the annual Eskom Expo for Young Scientists that took place from the 28 – 29 July 2022.

• School projects

Under the guidance of Ms. S Singh, chair of the community engagement committee, an easter egg donation, and cake sale project was successfully completed in 2022. Proceeds and donations were delivered to Dr. C F Visser Primary School. Staff members involved in the school project were Dr. S van Niekerk, Dr. A Mostert, Ms. A Kalicharan, Dr C Ntsapi, Dr. S Gordon.

Ms. Singh was also the project leader of a successful honours poster project. Posters will be displayed at local high schools. Titles of the posters are as follows:

• Student M. Venter: Title: Snooze, don’t lose

• Student U Hlunza: Title: Are you constantly dieting in order to maintain a healthy weight?
• Student Gaopalelwe Keetse. Title: Take charge, fight unhealthy fat!

Honours student project supervisors include : Ms. Singh, Dr. C Vorster, Dr. S van Zyl, Dr. R de Wet, Dr. A Mostert.

• MBChB medical student’s community project

Drs A Mostert and S van Niekerk supervised undergraduate medical students’ medical history-taking skills during a visit to the Striata Old Age Home in Bloemfontein.

• World Anatomy Day (WAD)

The first International Anatomy Day was celebrated on the 15^th of October 2019 and provided anatomists with an opportunity to celebrate anatomical advances, as well as convey the need for more research and development in the field. In celebration of World Anatomy Day on the 15^th of October 2022, the department hosted an anatomy art competition. The best artworks were also submitted for the art exhibition that formed part of the 3rd ASSA WAD online symposium that was held on Thursday, 13 October 2022.

The following represent some of the artwork submitted for the 2022 ASSA Art exhibition:

   

• Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day

The Department again participated in the annual “Crazy Socks 4 Docs Day”. 

  
Photo: Staff , MBCB and Nursing students in the Department wore colourful and funny socks to raise awareness for mental health issues challenging healthcare workers.

Community engagement 2021

Dr Petra Maass presented two workshops – Introduction to Human Osteology and Forensic Anthropology, and Forensic Osteoarchaeology & Excavation Theory and Practice – to second year students from the Departments of Forensic Genetics and Basic Medical Sciences in May 2021.

Staff from the department again took part in the annual Crazy Socks for Docs initiative to raise awareness and support for health professionals dealing with mental health issues. Staff shared photos of their own (and their kiddies’) feet in funky and funny socks, which was shared with a message of thanks to those working during the pandemic.

                                                    

Physiology community engagement project

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases are among the world’s largest killers, with an estimated 38 million deaths annually. Raising awareness in our communities about non-communicable diseases and their risks factors play a critical role in disease prevention, early detection, and management. In the second semester, engagement with the community via an engaged scholarship project that involved both postgraduate learners and the staff of the department of BMS took place. The community engagement team, under the leadership of Dr Jenelle Govender, has recognized the KovsieFM podcast platform as an ideal opportunity to engage with the broader community on non-communicable diseases. The team encouraged and assisted postgraduate students to make the most of the exciting learning opportunity that allowed them to engage with the community via a podcast (in October 2021) aimed at raising awareness on non-communicable diseases.

Students prepared the following podcasts that were broadcast on the KovsieFM podcast platform:

• Increased risk of developing cardiovascular challenges with lengthened cigarette and vapo use with post graduate student. Student: Nothando Mwendauya
• Breast cancer awareness with post graduate student. Student: Jessica van Onselen
• Harmful effects of excessive alcohol consumption/alcohol abuse with post graduate student. Student: Relebogile Thubisi

 

World Anatomy day 15 October 2021

The first International Anatomy Day was celebrated on the 15^th of  October 2019 and providing anatomists with an opportunity to both celebrate anatomical advances, as well as convey the need for more research and development in the field. In celebration of World Anatomy Day 2021, a small team from the department, under the leadership of Dr Petra Maass,  hosted an anatomy art competition. The submissions and winning artwork were displayed in the Francois Retief building during the week of the 11^th of October 2021. The Anatomy honours students also compiled a video project, where they quizzed students and staff on their anatomy knowledge. 

 

 

                                                                                              Photo: The staff again contributed to a successful Easter egg project for  the Dr. Visser School in April 2022.




Photo: The staff in the department BMS celebrated Heritage Day on the 24^th of September 2022 sharing the richness of the many cultures represented in the department.

Three of winning artworks of the UFS were also showcased at the ASSA World Anatomy Day Virtual symposium celebrations held on the 13^th of October 2021. The goal of this symposium was to provide postgraduate students as well as registered student members of the Society and opportunity to present any current research. Dr Petra Maass, Dr Sanet van Zyl, Dr Carina Vorster, Miss Sadhna Singh and Dr Tshegofatso Ramphaleng attended the online symposium.

Mental Health Awareness 2019

The department also participated in Mental Health Awareness, in cooperation with the MBChB Programme Director’s office, and inspirational and mental health educational quotes were posted on boards in the faculty foyer, lecture venues and in the administrative building.

Dr Arnelle Mostert is the representative  of the SoBMS on the Community Engagement and Service Learning Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Community Engagement Management Committee (CEMC) of the University of the Free State. The department of Basic Medical Sciences was involved in engaged citizenship through community service projects in 2019. The main aim of the committee was to support the CF Visser School and old age homes by providing food and basic products and health information.  Initiatives launched in the department served as fundraising activities for various projects throughout the year.

Donations from members of the department enabled the department to deliver freshly-baked bread loaves every second week throughout the year to the CF Visser School. Cupcakes and sweet treats were sold on Valentine’s Day to raise funds for the winter warmer project in June 2019. Easter eggs, accompanied by an Easter message, were distributed to learners at the CF Visser School. An easter hunt at the pre-primary school formed part of this activity. Soup was sold on three ocasions during May and June to supplement funds for the Christmas project in November 2019. 

The department of Basic Medical Sciences (Dr S van Zyl, A Mostert, M Ferreira, Carol-Lynn van der Merwe, Y Govender and Miss T Ramphaleng) and staff from the skills unit visited “Ons Tuiste” nursing home accompanied by third-year medical students of the MCLI2720 Clinical Skills module from 8 to 16 August 2019 as part of a community engagement project. Students visited patients in the old age home, took a history and recorded vital signs. They also provided information on practical information on sleep hygiene and distributed bars of soaps and face cloths to the elderly during the visit

Visit to “Ons Tuiste” nursing home

 

Crazy Socks for Docs Day

Members of the department participated in the Crazy Socks for Docs Day on 7 June by wearing some silly and playful socks to work. The initiative aims at raising awareness and support for health professionals dealing with mental health issues.

Staff members Jenelle Govender, Simone Gordon, Arnelle Mostert, Annelize Vorster, Petra Maass and Yolani Benadé wearing their colourful and silly socks for mental health awareness

Christmas project at Dr CF Visser school 2018

Dr Arnelle Mostert was nominated to represent the SoBMS as a representative on the Community Engagement and Service Learning Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Community Engagement Management Committee (CEMC) of the University of the Free State from 2018.

The department of Basic Medical Sciences was involved in engaged citizenship through community service projects in 2018.  The following staff members serve on the department Basic Medical Sciences Community Service committee in 2019: Dr A Mostert (Chair), Ms G Niemandt (Vice chair), Members:  Drs AM Gerber, S Gordon, CO Larson, A Vorster, Ms SM Roux, PC Vorster - De Wet and Mr M Muller.

The main aim of the committee was to support the CF Visser School and old age homes by providing food and basic products.  Initiatives launched in the department served as fundraising activities for various projects throughout the year.

Community service fundraising events and projects 2017

 
Various projects were launched this year to raise funds for community service projects e.g. clothes, food parcels, magazines, books and Sesotho bibles were delivered at a local school and distributed amongst less fortunate families.  Students of the Radiography Department, CUT, visited the museum from 07-08 June 2017 and from 26-27 June 2017 for training purposes, local attorneys groups made use of specimens for a consultation session with a forensic pathologist on 24 March 2017, Camelot International made use of the museum facility on 27 September 2017 for the training of their students and a team from AVBOB, interested in embalming procedures, visited our mortuary and museum on 10 July 2017 and 07 November 2017.