Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
17 April 2018

 PHOTOS: Graduation Ceremonies

Mistakes are powerful; train yourself to embrace and learn from them in order to experience the supreme emancipation that comes with life’s downfalls and victories. This is what the 2018 April graduation ceremonies were all about. This profound thought was instilled by the likes of Dr Anthony Turton, a leader in the field of water as a business risk and opportunity. Dr Turton, an Affiliated Professor in the Centre for Environmental Management at the University of the Free State (UFS), was one of the keynote speakers at this year’s inspirational April graduation ceremonies on the Bloemfontein Campus.

A total of 4 388 qualifications in the form of Certificates and Higher Certificates, Diplomas, as well as Bachelor’s and Honours degrees, were awarded and conferred on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus from 9 to 13 April 2018. These qualifications were awarded to graduates in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Theology, Law, Education, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, the Humanities, and the South Campus University Access Programme. 

Guest speakers encourage graduates
Addressing Health Sciences graduates, Anita van der Merwe, Professor and Executive Head of the Department of Nursing and Midwifery in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, said graduates needed to have compassion for other people. “As health practitioners, we should live and work with compassion, which means truly understanding the suffering of others.”
 
Another strong message emerging from the graduation ceremonies was: “Each person will experience the journey of life differently, but when we let our light shine, we unconsciously allow others to do the same”. This message was shared by Miss Deaf SA for 2017/18, Chantelle Pretorius, in her address to graduates from the Faculty of Education.

“Graduates in the Faculty of Law should regard themselves from now on as having well-trained minds that shall be instruments of liberation and social justice,” said Projects and Campaigns Manager of Corruption Watch, Zola Valashiya.
 
Deputy President of the Association of Black Accountants in Southern Africa, David Abbey, further encouraged graduates from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences to focus their ideas and interests onto their goals until they are reached. He added: “In order for graduates to be successful in any endeavour, they must concentrate their attention intensely on what they want.”

Also addressing graduates from the same faculty, Brand Pretorius, former CEO of McCarthy Limited, motivated them with the following words: “The biggest danger for most of us is that we aim too low, and we achieve it. It is unacceptable to be satisfied with being ‘just okay’.” 

Tshegofatso Setilo, Assistant Director of the University Access Programme on the South Campus, motivated graduates to surround themselves with people who are smarter than them, who are humble, who are kind and hard-working.

Addressing graduates from the Faculty of the Humanities, Dr Nthabeleng Rammile, Deputy Chairperson of the UFS Council, said: “I want to challenge our graduates to go out and live their dreams. You owe it to yourselves.” 

Graduation Speeches:

Tshego Setilo 9 April Graduation Ceremony

David Abbey 12 April 2018 Graduation Ceremony

The value of listening
Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor, encouraged graduates to be the best that they can be – even if their roles or jobs require them to carry the casualties of someone else, “do it with your chest”, he said. He said graduates needed to master the skill of listening in order to effectively reflect and internalise the lifelong lessons that were delivered to them at the April graduation ceremonies.

Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, said graduates had the power and responsibility to make a positive change in social society. He further added that graduates were subjected to expectations to go out and make a positive change in the world. He urged graduates to help create an environment that South Africans could all feel proud of.

Talking at the final session of the week-long graduation ceremonies, Hannes van Wyk, Kovsie alumnus and presenter of Kwêla on KykNet, said: “Don’t take everything too seriously, there is a great joy in freedom, and freedom only ever comes from letting go.”

Another highlight 
UFS Student Representative Council members, Brady MacPherson, Ntombi Nhlapo, Sonwabile Jongisizwe Dwaba, and Tammy Fray set a great example for fellow students, as they formed part of the elite group – the alumni. They, along with other 2018 graduates, had the honour of being awarded their degrees throughout the week of 9-13 April 2018.


Recorded Livestream of the Graduation Ceremonies:

Monday 9 April 2018

Description: 1. Health Sciences new Tags: Bloemfontein graduation ceremonies, Dr Khotso Mokhele, Prof Francis Petersen, Dr Anthony Turton, UFS Graduations, Hannes van Wyk, Kwela, David Abbey, Zola Valashiya, Chantelle Pretorius

Faculties of Health Sciences and Theology and Religion and South Campus: University Access Programme

 

WATCH: UFS Autumn Graduation Ceremony 9 April 2018 (morning session)
WATCH: UFS Autumn Graduation Ceremony 9 April 2018 (afternoon session)
 

“As health practitioners, we should live and work with compassion, which means truly understanding the suffering of others.” 
- Prof Anita van der Merwe

 “Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, who are humble, who are kind and hard-working.”
- Tshegofatso Setilo

Tuesday 10 April 2018

Description: 1. Law 2018 Tags: Bloemfontein graduation ceremonies, Dr Khotso Mokhele, Prof Francis Petersen, Dr Anthony Turton, UFS Graduations, Hannes van Wyk, Kwela, David Abbey, Zola Valashiya, Chantelle Pretorius

Faculty of Law and Faculty of Education

WATCH: UFS Autumn Graduation Ceremony 10 April 2018 (morning session)
WATCH: UFS Autumn Graduation Ceremony 10 April 2018 (afternoon session)


“Law students should regard themselves from now on as having well-trained minds that shall be instruments of liberation and social justice.”
- Zola Valashiya

“Each person will experience the journey of life differently, but when we let our light shine, we unconsciously allow others to do the same.”
- Chantelle Pretorius

Wednesday 11 April 2018

Description: 1. Natwet new Tags: Bloemfontein graduation ceremonies, Dr Khotso Mokhele, Prof Francis Petersen, Dr Anthony Turton, UFS Graduations, Hannes van Wyk, Kwela, David Abbey, Zola Valashiya, Chantelle Pretorius

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences

WATCH: UFS Autumn Graduation Ceremony 11 April 2018 (morning session)
WATCH: UFS Autumn Graduation Ceremony 11 April 2018 (afternoon session)

The power of integrity – let your moral compass be your guide in times of great uncertainty.” 
- Anthony Turton

Thursday 12 April 2018

Description: 1. EMS 2018 Tags: Bloemfontein graduation ceremonies, Dr Khotso Mokhele, Prof Francis Petersen, Dr Anthony Turton, UFS Graduations, Hannes van Wyk, Kwela, David Abbey, Zola Valashiya, Chantelle Pretorius

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

WATCH: UFS Autumn Graduation Ceremony 12 April 2018 (morning session)WATCH: UFS Autumn Graduation Ceremony 12 April 2018 (afternoon session)

The biggest danger for most of us is that we aim too low, and we achieve it.”
- Brand Pretorius

“In order to be massively successful in any endeavour, you must concentrate your attention intensely on what you want.”
- David Abbey

 

Friday 13 April 2018

Description: 1. Humanities 2018 Tags: Bloemfontein graduation ceremonies, Dr Khotso Mokhele, Prof Francis Petersen, Dr Anthony Turton, UFS Graduations, Hannes van Wyk, Kwela, David Abbey, Zola Valashiya, Chantelle Pretorius

Faculty of the Humanities

WATCH: UFS Autumn Graduation Ceremony 13 April 2018 (morning session)
WATCH: UFS Autumn Graduation Ceremony 13 April 2018 (afternoon session)

“Today, I want to challenge our graduates to go out and live their dreams. You owe it to yourselves to live your dream.”
- Dr Nthabeleng Rammile

 

“Don’t take anything too seriously, there is a great joy in freedom, and freedom only ever comes from letting go.”
- Hannes van Wyk

News Archive

UFS committed to transformation
2005-02-23

UFS committed to transformation

The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) takes note that plans are being made to stage a student protest at the UFS main campus on Monday 28 February 2005 .

This is in line with a concerted national campaign to highlight the issue of transformation at higher education institutions.

At this stage the UFS management has not received any application from student formations to stage such a protest at the main campus in Bloemfontein .

The UFS upholds the right of all staff and students to hold legal, non-violent protests and in this spirit encourages the student formations to apply for permission to hold their protest. However, the UFS management has been - and always will be willing to discuss the important issue of transformation of the UFS with staff unions and student formations.

Again the UFS management appeals to student formations to make use of this open door policy and not to adopt a confrontational position. In fact the management and the Senate of the UFS have come out in support of a new phase of transformation at the UFS.

In his speech at the official opening of the UFS earlier this month (on 4 February 2005 ), the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Frederick Fourie, announced that a comprehensive transformation plan for would be drafted for the UFS.

This Transformation Plan would address issues such as:

  • a new institutional culture for the UFS
  • the need for representivity in the staffing of the UFS
  • ensuring relevance of curricula for the South African and African context
  • enhancing excellence in the overall academic life of the UFS
  • ensuring greater interaction among black and white students and staff
  • addressing outstanding issues in the incorporation of the Qwaqwa and Vista campuses, among others

Concerning some of the issues that are being put forward to motivate for a protest march, the UFS would like to highlight the following facts:

  1. The situation at the Qwaqwa campus
  • It is not true that the UFS has decided to close down the Qwaqwa campus. This is a complete falsehood. The campus was incorporated into the UFS in January 2003 and since then every effort is being made to ensure the viability of the Qwaqwa campus.
  • In fact the UFS has just upgraded residences at the Qwaqwa campus – to the tune of R6,8-million.
  • In addition, another R1,4-million has been set aside for the upgrading of other facilities on the Qwaqwa campus.
  • More staff has been appointed and the library is acquiring more books etc.
  • The management of the UFS wants to assure staff at the Qwaqwa campus once again that there has been no decision to close the campus.
  • We realise that the incorporation of the campus into the UFS has given rise to certain fears and concerns, but these are being addressed, including the question of reporting lines of staff and the further delegation of powers to the head of the Qwaqwa campus, Prof Peter Mbati.
  1. The situation at the Vista campus
  • A number of processes are currently under way to address outstanding issues following the formal incorporation of the Vista campus into the UFS in January 2004.
  • This includes the integration of former Vista staff into the UFS as well as the alignment of the conditions of service of the former Vista staff with the UFS conditions of service.
  • Indeed, over the last few weeks, a climate of trust has been developing and a number of meetings have taken place in contrast to the situation that obtained at the end of 2004.
  • Just last week, the Rector reassured the Vista Task Team representing the former Vista staff that these staff members are indeed part of the UFS staff complement.
  • When the Vista campus was incorporated into the UFS, it was agreed that no new first years would be registered there, so as to avoid duplication with the main campus which is only a few kilometers away.
  • Instead, those students who were registered as Vista students at the time of incorporation (January 2004) would be allowed to complete their studies.
  • In terms of this agreement another process of consultation with key stakeholders on and off campus would be initiated to determine how the physical facilities of Vista could be used to contribute to educational and skills provision in the region and the province.
  • This process is still in its early stages and no final decision has been made regarding the long term strategic reconfiguration of the Vista campus.
  • In any case, as stated by the Rector, former Vista staff do not have to fear about their work security as this is not dependent on the future use of Vista campus – the two issues are not related.
  1. Financial aid for students at the Qwaqwa campus
  • Concerning financial aid to students at Qwaqwa, the UFS has to date (that is up to 22 February 2005 ) made available R25 000 each to 705 students.
  • That amounts to R17,6 million.
  1. Financial aid for students at the Vista campus
  • Concerning financial aid to students at Vista , the UFS has to date (that is up to 22 February 2005 ) made available R14 500 each to 104 students.
  • That amounts to R1,5 million.
  1. Registration
  • The registration processes at both these campuses are not yet completed. So final figures are not yet available.
  • What we can say so far, is that 1339 students have registered at the Qwaqwa campus and that more are expected to register. At Vista , 545 students have registered so far, and more are expected to do so.
  • In an effort to assist students during the registration process, management has put in place a structure which is called the Monitoring Committee.
  • This Monitoring Committee provides counseling on courses of study but also sorts out problems relating to academic fees, etc.
  • This is how the UFS management in a concrete way gives expression to its commitment to broadening access for academically deserving students.
  1. Alleged racism
  • There have recently been unsubstantiated allegations of racism leveled at the UFS.
  • We would like to state unequivocally, that the UFS does not and will not tolerate racism in any way.
  • There are policies and procedures in place to deal with such allegations and those who feel aggrieved should bring this to the attention of the Director of Diversity, Mr Billyboy Ramahlele.
  • The UFS also has sensitisation programmes for staff and students to assist in bringing about a truly non-racial, non-sexist, inclusive, multicultural and multilingual campus.

.

  1. Conclusion
  • The UFS management remains committed to the further transformation of the institution so that it can play its role in supporting the goal of a non-racial, democratic South Africa united in its diversity.
  • We are committed to the successful incorporation of the Vista and Qwaqwa campuses and to the speedy resolution of all outstanding issues facing staff and students on these campuses.
  • We appeal once again to staff and students on these campuses, who are indeed members of the broader UFS community, to play a constructive role in the debate about the strategic direction of the UFS and all its campuses.

 

Issued by: Mr Anton Fisher

Director: Strategic Communication

Cell: 072-207-8334

Tel: 051-401-2749

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept