“We take responsibility for our teachers; we believe that a university is as good as its teachers are, so our university takes pride in training and awarding good teachers,” said Dr Lis Lange, Vice-Rector: Academic at University of the Free State (UFS).

The Vice-Rector: Academic was addressing parents and prospective students at the Parent’s Gateway programme, hosted by the Student Affairs office at the Bloemfontein Campus on Saturday 12 December 2015. Quality education was the watchword of the day.

Cornelia Faasen, Acting Dean: Student Affairs assured parents that their children would receive a warm reception on 15 January 2016. “We are very excited to welcome your children on campus next year,” she said.

All lecturers are trained to engage the new generation of students in view of changed times, where students’ attention spans can be as low as 30 seconds. Teachers are trained to capture and interest students in such a way that they refrain from interacting with their cellphones during lessons, while encouraging active participation.

Students will also receive supplementary instruction and engagement through the tutorial system which facilitates small-group learning.

The Centre for Teaching and Learning has the task of supplying academic advisers who are readily available for consultation by all students. “In that way, when your children approach the faculties, they can be orientated as to what is the best subject combination for them,” Dr Lange added.

The UFS remains committed to developing leaders through various programmes that are designed to serve the educational and extra-mural needs of all students. “We believe in developing leadership at all levels, from the residences to the sport field, so students have a chance to learn how to be leaders,” said Dr Lange.

Parents had the chance to receive significant information on the range of strategies put in place to ensure a holistic learning experience for first-year students at the UFS. Incoming Kovsies are bound to receive a world-class quality education.

More information for prospective students