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19 April 2018

The University of the Free State invites all Grade 12 learners and their parents to the UFS Open Days. On the Bloemfontein Campus, the Open Day will be held on 12 May 2018, and on the Qwaqwa Campus, Phuthaditjhaba on 26 May 2018.
 
The programme for both Open Days has been streamlined to allow for more time in the faculties in order to gather the necessary academic information. Therefore, there will not be a collective welcoming programme on either campus; however, the academic programme for the respective faculties can be visited DIRECTLY from 09:00. All exhibitions are open from 09:00 till 15:00.

BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS OPEN DAY – 12 MAY 2018:


Programme

1. Academic programme in the respective faculties: There will be two welcoming and information sessions by the Dean of each faculty. 

a. Session 1: 09:00–10:00
b. Session 2: 11:00–12:00
c. The venue for each faculty is:
i. Economic and Management Sciences: EMS Auditorium
ii. Education: New Education Auditorium
iii. Health Sciences: Francois Retief Building
iv. Natural and Agricultural Sciences: Callie Human Centre
v. Law: Equitas Building
vi. The Humanities: Odeion
vii. Theology and Religion: Theology Building, Room 21

2. Administrative services in the H van der Merwe Scholtz Hall: Bring your Grade 11 results and a copy of your ID should you wish to apply for 2019 undergraduate studies during the Open Day.
a. Online and hard-copy applications
b. Admissions 
c. General Enquiries
d. UFS Marketing
e. Centre for Teaching and Learning
f. Financial Aid
g. Tuition Fees
h. Housing and Residence Affairs
i. National Benchmark Tests
j. University Access Programmes
k. KovsieGear merchandise 
l. Library and Information Services

3. Student Life programme in front of the Main Building
a. Kovsie2B Social Media
b. Student Life Colleges and Residence Communities exhibitions
c. Arts and Culture
d. Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS)
e. Counselling and Development
f. Gender and Sexual Equity Office
g. KovsieSport
h. Student Media
i. Student Wellness and Social Support

4. Student Associations exhibitions at the Thakaneng Bridge
a. Academic associations
b. Charity-based student associations
c. Cultural-based student associations
d. Political associations
e. Religious associations

MEET AND GREET WITH THE RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR: 

Professor Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, invites teachers, principals, and parents to engage with him from 12:00 till 14:00, Bloemfontein Campus. If you would like to make use of this opportunity, RSVP by 9 May 2018 to greylinl@ufs.ac.za or bakkese@ufs.ac.za

 

QWAQWA CAMPUS OPEN DAY – 26 MAY 2018:

1. Academic programme in the respective faculties: There will be two welcoming and information sessions by the Assistant Dean of each faculty. 
a. Session 1: 09:00–10:00
b. Session 2: 11:00–12:00
2. Administrative services in the Rolihlahla Mandela Hall: Bring your Grade 11 results and a copy of your ID should you wish to apply for 2019 undergraduate studies during the Open Day.
3. Student Life programme and Student Associations exhibitions. 

MEET AND GREET WITH THE RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR: 
Professor Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, invites teachers, principals, and parents to engage with him from 12:00 till 14:00, Qwaqwa Campus. If you would like to make use of this opportunity, RSVP by 23 May 2018 to greylinl@ufs.ac.za or bakkese@ufs.ac.za

GENERAL
Unfortunately no food parcels will be provided to learners. Open Day programmes will be distributed at all entrances on both campuses.
If you require any further information about the Open Days you can contact 051 401 3384/9028. 

2019 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Keep in mind that there are limited spaces in each programme and to avoid disappointment, you are advised to apply as soon as possible. Application to study at the University of the Free State is free. If you want to apply now, click here

News Archive

The launch of a unique conservation project
2011-06-06

 

Our Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences launched a very special pilot project at Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate in Bloemfontein on Friday 03 June 2011, which aims to eventually aid in the conservation and study of one of Africa’s most graceful animals.

The project aims to provide the scientific basis needed for making future decisions in the best interests of the giraffe in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape and involves collaring and monitoring the behaviour and movement of these animals via GPS.

Based on the public interest in the giraffe and the increased impact of the growing giraffe population on the vegetation in the area, SANParks has been considering the translocation of a number of Kgalagadi giraffe. Due to limited information regarding their adaptation success and potential impact on their new environment, thorough planning and subsequent monitoring of the species is required.

Mr Francois Deacon from our university decided to undertake a PhD study to address the existing challenges. This will be the first study of its kind, undertaken on giraffe.

He says he decided on this project because of his love for animals and conservation. “There are nine sub-species of giraffe and seven of these are already endangered. I want to involve people and make them aware of the plight of the animals and the need for conservation,” he said.

The project kicked off on Friday morning, with a group of students and curious nature-lovers tracking a herd of giraffe at Woodland Hills. The challenge laid in identifying one of the animals which could easily be collared with a GPS device, tranquilising it, and applying the device, without harming the animal.

After a young bull was identified, it was up to Dr Floris Coetzee, a veterinarian, to get close enough to the animal to tranquilise it, and to the group of students to catch it and hold it down. All this was done perfectly and the animal was fitted with its new collars. The collars were designed and made by Mr Martin Haupt, who gained extensive experience in the design of similar collars for other research studies.

Mr Deacon will spend the following two weeks personally monitoring the animal constantly, to ensure that the collars do not cause any discomfort or injury and to determine whether it should be removed or adapted.

It has taken Mr Deacon over a year to plan the collaring process and the associated study. He says the main challenges in the project are financial, since it will cost approximately R500 000 to run over five years.

Thus far he has been supported by Mr Pieter Malan of Woodland Hills, Mr Cas Kempff of Cas Kempff Consulting Engineers and Prof. Frans Swanepoel of the UFS’ Directorate of Research Development, all of whom have been benefactors of the project.
Information gathered from the pilot project will provide the data to assess how to best fit the collar onto the giraffe to ensure that the animal is comfortable and that the collar will last in the wild.  Scientific data will be generated and processed for use by the Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate management.

Should the pilot project be successful, between four and eight giraffe in the Kgalagadi will be tracked using the satellite GPS collars. The GPS collars will enable the constant recording of the location of individual giraffe for up to 2 years. This will allow control and monitoring of the animals in real-time.

The main benefits of the project include, amongst others, improved decision-making, informing tourism development, education and community involvement, improved sustainability and improved cross-border collaboration between South Africa and Botswana.

Anyone who wishes to get involved with the project or get more information, should contact Me. Sonja Buhrmann at sbuhrmann@vodamail.co.za or 0827735768.
 

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