| Joint statement by the Convocation of the University of the Free State (UFS) and The South African Academy for Science and Arts 
 Are South African universities political flashpoints or centres of academic excellence? This is the theme of an international symposium that will be presented on 26 and 27 February 2009 by the Convocation of the University of the Free State (UFS) in collaboration with The South African Academy for Science and Arts on the Main Campus of the UFS in Bloemfontein.
 
 Several renowned speakers such as Prof. Fernand de Varennes (of the Murdoch Law School, Perth, Australia), Prof. Stef Coetzee (former rector of the UFS and presently the executive director of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI)) and Dr Franklin Sonn (chancellor of the UFS) will take part in the discussion. Matters like diversity, transformation and conflict management, alienation, tolerance, conciliation and solutions will be debated. Members of the Convocation and the Academy are invited to attend and take part in the discussion.
 
 The symposium commences on Thursday, 26 February 2009 at 19:00 in the Centenary Complex with a reception and opening address by Dr Sonn. On Friday, 27 February 2009 from 08:00 the discussion of the theme takes place in the Senate Hall, CR Swart Building. The proceedings are expected to last until 17:00.
 
 A complete list of the speakers and the titles of their addresses are available on request.
 
 Due to limited seating interested persons are advised to confirm their attendance with Ms Kathy Verwey at 051 401 9343 / verweyke.stg@ufs.ac.za .
 Full programme 
                
                    
                        | SA Universities:  Political Flashpoints or Centres of Academic  Excellence? – 26-27 February 2009 P R O G R A MChairperson: Judge Joos Hefer
 Sponsors: The Centre for Financial Planning Law UFS
 The Kovsie Alumni Trust
 Thursday 26 February  19:00                           Welcome: Judge  Joos Hefer (President Convocation UFS)19:10                           Welcome:  Prof. Theuns Verschoor (Acting Rector UFS)
 19:20 - 19:50               Dr. Franklin Sonn (Chancellor UFS)
 19:50 - 20:20               Mr. Dave Steward (Executive Director, F.W. de Klerk Foundation)
 20:25                           Reception
 Friday 27 February  08:30 - 09:10               Prof. Fernand de Varennes (Murdoch School of Law)09:10 - 09:20               Discussion
 09:20 - 09:50               Prof. Stef Coetzee (Former UFS Rector)
 09:50 - 10:00               Discussion
 10:00 - 10:20               Interval
 10:20 - 10:50               Prof. Annette Combrink (Rector, NWU, Potch-campus)
 10:50 - 11:00               Discussion
 11:00 - 11:30               Prof. Pieter Kapp (President, Convocation, US)
 11:30 - 11:40               Discussion
 11:40 - 12:10               Mr. Sean Moodley (CEO, Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust)
 12:10 - 12:20               Discussion
 12:20 - 12:50               Dr. Dirk Hermann (Deputy Executive Head: Development, Solidarity)
 12:50 - 13:00               Discussion
 13:00 - 14:00               Lunch
 14:00 - 14:30               Prof. Marlene  Verhoef (Director Institutional Language Directorate NWU)
 14:30 - 14:40               Discussion
 14:40 - 15:10               Dr. Danny Titus (Executive Director: Culture ATKV)
 15:10 - 15:20               Discussion
 15:20 - 15:50               Interval
 15:50 - 16:20               Prof. Hennie van Coller (Head Dept. Afrikaans, Dutch. German and French UFS, Chairperson SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns)
 16:20 - 16:30               Discussion
 16:30                           General discussion: Dilemma or opportunities?
 17:00                           Close
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  Statement by: 
 Judge Joos Hefer
 President of the Convocation
 Tel: 051 436 1843
 Cell: 083 630 1395
 E-mail: jjfhefer@telkomsa.net
 
 Prof Jacques van der Elst
 Chief Executive Officer
 The South African Academy for Science and Arts
 Tel: 012 328 5082
 Cell: 082 8807636
 E-mail: jvde@akademie.co.za
 
 Media Release
 Issued by: Lacea Loader
 Assistant Director: Media Liaison
 Tel: 051 401 2584
 Cell: 083 645 2454
 E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
 10 February 2009
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                        | Dr Franklin Sonn, Chancellor of the University of the Free  State.
 Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
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