New
WhatsApp for Students. Receive University Notifications Anytime, Anywhere
ConnectYard is a great way to quickly and easily stay informed of developments on UFS campuses. Urgent news or safety information that you need to know about. With ConnectYard you will get a quick message via WhatsApp.
What is ConnectYard?
ConnectYard makes communication more effective by delivering important and
timely notifications to students on their WhatsApp account or
personal email.
Benefits of using ConnectYard:
• Receive notifications from the university on WhatsApp, ensuring that you
do not miss out on important information or communication.
• Receive urgent communication via WhatsApp instead of SMS.
• Information is sent privately, securely, and spam-free.
• This is not a WhatsApp group, and no one else will see or send
messages to you except the university.
Is there a cost implication for me?
Other than regular data rates for receiving WhatsApp messages, no.
Will I know how to use it?
Yes. Staff will receive communication on how to set up ConnectYard, so thatthey are able to receive notifications from the university on WhatsApp. This will include easy how-to videos and other useful resources on the use thereof.
Look out for an invitation to register. Stay connected with ConnectYard.
Call for ITP funding applications
The ITP Funding Committee all students to apply for project funding. Please ensure the following:
• That your project/initiative is linked to an ITP deliverable (see the ITP for details)
• That your initiative/project cannot be funded within the budget of your unit or department
• That you provide enough information for the committee to decide on your application
Please send a completed application form (click here) by 31 September 2021 to ITP@ufs.ac.za
For any questions, contact Taabo Mugume at MugumeTJ@ufs.ac.za
Click here (Please attached application forms here).
Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) Constitution Review
In June 2018, the Constitution of the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) of the University of the Free State (UFS) was adopted by the UFS Council as a governing document that sets out the roles, functions, and powers of the ISRC and its substructures.
The document was adopted for Student Governance at the UFS in accordance with section 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, and the Statute of the University of the Free State.
This communique therefore serves to inform all students about the amendment and review process that is to commence with regard to the abovementioned document.
The consultation schedule provides a timeline for the consultation process that is aimed at consolidating inputs to be tabled to the UFS Council for final adoption and approval.
The UFS Department of Student Affairs encourages students to actively participate in the process as key stakeholders of the institution.
For more information, please contact the following persons:
1. Mr Vusumzi Gqalane at GqalaneV@ufs.ac.za
2. Mr Motlogelwa Moema at MoemaM@ufs.ac.za
3. Mr Dzulani Munzhelele at Munzheleled@ufs.ac.za
Enhancement of Off-Campus Student Safety
The UFS would like to remind students that the university has contracted armed-response companies to provide an off-campus armed-response service to students in certain identified areas. The initiation of the project was due to the overwhelming support from students and the successes achieved by the contracted armed-response services during the initial pilot project as well as over the past few months. The armed-response service is available on a 24-hour basis for seven days a week, throughout the year.
The service is available in the areas immediately surrounding the three campuses and highlights the university’s commitment to the safety of all its students.
The contact details to activate the service are as follows:
Bloemfontein Campus (in the suburbs of Brandwag, Park West, Universitas, Universitas Ridge, and Willows):
- UFS Protection Services Operational Centre – +27 51 401 2634 / +27 51 401 2911 / +27 080 020 4682
- Nissi Armed Response Control Room – +27 51 444 0550 / +27 73 790 1837
Qwaqwa Campus (in the area surrounding the campus):
- UFS Protection Services Operational Centre – +27 58 718 5460 / +27 58 718 5175
- Falcon Security Solutions Control Room – +27 58 713 0240 / +27 66 439 6491
South Campus (in the area surrounding the campus):
- UFS Protection Services Operational Centre – +27 51 505 1217 / +27 51 505 1478
- Nissi Armed Response Control Room – +27 51 444 0550 / +27 73 790 1837
Get connected with GlobalProtect
The UFS is proud to present GlobalProtect, a VPN portal that links you to learning resources for free while off campus. Please read through the
Get connected with GlobalProtect document for instructions and tips on how to maximise the use of it.
Contact Details: Financial Aid offices on the three UFS campuses
Bloemfontein and South:
Arno Venter 051 401 2234 (ventera4@ufs.ac.za)
Tokelo Fako 051 401 7175 (fakota@ufs.ac.za)
Ntswaki Masoleng 051 401 7125 (Masolengnu@ufs.ac.za)
Thabiso Mbo 051 401 9894 (Mbota@ufs.ac.za)
Judy Mothibedi 051 401 7731 (Mothibedij@ufs.ac.za)
Tracey-Lee Smith (smitht2@ufs.ac.za)
Pulane Maine (mainep@ufs.ac.za)
Qwaqwa:
Lekhotla Lechoba 058 718 5198 (Lechoball@ufs.ac.za; student’s surnames A-L)
Tsoanelo Mosikili 058 718 5061 (Mosikilitf@ufs.ac.za; student’s surnames M)
Van Rooi Hlapane 058 718 3625 (Hlapanevj@ufs.ac.za; student’s surnames N-Z)