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The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Trainingpaid an oversight visit to the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) on 1 February 2019.

The purpose of the meeting was to obtain information and engage with the university on a number of key focus areas. The programme included a site visit to the Callie Human Centre where the registration process is underway, the High-Performance Computing Centre at ICT Services, and Harmony residence. This was followed by a meeting with the executive management, Student Representative Council (SRC), and the unions (UVPERSU and NEHAWU). Several presentations were made, among others a presentation by the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen.

Led by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, the Hon. Cornelia September, the delegation was also accompanied by representatives from theDepartment of Higher Education and Training, as well as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). “We are impressed with what was presented and we are happy to see the progress the university is making with matters such as infrastructure development, the manner in which challenges with food insecurity is being addressed, and the projects and plans in place to help students succeed in their studies. The committee would like to take hands with the university in the interest of the future of higher education in the country,” said the Hon. September.

“On behalf of the UFS Council, I would like to thank the committee for their interest in the university. We have taken your comments to heart and will deliberate as a Council on the feedback received during this oversight visit,” said Mr Willem Louw, Chairperson of the UFS Council.