Through this initiative, the university demonstrated its commitment to fostering a supportive environment for emerging researchers by highlighting the resources available. The UFS ensures that its postgraduate students are well equipped to excel in their academic pursuits and prioritises research excellence and student success. As the university continues to nurture the next generation of scholars, it remains focused on providing a stimulating and supportive academic environment.

Nicolene de Klerk, Lecturer in the Centre for Teaching and Learning, highlighted the significance of postgraduate qualifications in today's technology landscape. According to de Klerk, the value of postgraduate studies lies not in knowledge acquisition, but in developing essential skills that set humans apart from AI. These skills include critical thinking and ethical reasoning, contextual understanding and humanity, and creative problem-solving and vision. De Klerk emphasized that while AI excels in data processing, it lacks the nuance and depth that postgraduate studies provide. In her closing remarks, de Klerk offered a memorable message to postgraduate students: "May your chapters be merciful, your caffeine strong, and your references never mysteriously disappear." This insightful address served as a timely reminder of the importance of postgraduate studies in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Senior Assistant Officer in CGS , Lethiwe Sokhela, said: “I was delighted to see our postgraduate students actively engaging with the various initiatives offered by the CGS. It was heartening to witness their enthusiasm and participation, which featured the importance of such events in fostering a sense of community and support. My highlight of the day was witnessing students playing the amazing race game, as students ran from one station to the next to solve riddles,” said Sokhela. “I extend my best wishes to our postgraduate cohort and express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve them. It has been an honour to contribute to their academic journey.”

An honours student in Psychology in Education, Nokwanda Radebe, said the postgraduate welcoming was a success, as students were able to connect with one another. An interesting discussion centred around AI highlighted the limitations of AI, such as lacking conceptual analysis and emotional intelligence, which reinforced the importance of human research in the education field.