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22 February 2018 Photo Johan Roux
KovsieACT music festival lives up to the hype
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

Description: Kovsie Act concert Tags: Kovsie Act concert

Shekhinah embraces students at the festival.
Photo: Monk Manyeloyi

A weekend that promised great excitement kicked off on Friday 16 February 2018 with the Kovsie ACT Eco-vehicle race. This event saw students teaming up in their respective colleges in high hopes of earning what was assured to be a gratifying reward. The overall winners of the race were North College who also won for team spirit, the slalom race, and the Formula-e lookalike.

Students at the race rumbled with excitement as they witnessed the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Free State Prof Francis Petersen get his hands dirty when he decided to test-drive one of the Eco-vehicles himself. “It was honestly an electrifying moment that proves that co-curricular activities have the power to indeed help shift education into the right direction,” said Dean of Student Affairs, Pura Mgolombane, who was seen alongside Prof Petersen.

The first official Kovsie ACT music festival was billed to rock Bloemfontein, and it did exactly that! With the gates opening at 4pm on 17 February 2018, the event saw people pouring in shortly afterwards. The community and student-centred celebration saw a turnout nothing short of amazing.

The evening included a laser show display that is always a crowd pleaser, with OFM radio-show host Shandor Potgieter as the official MC for the event. Festivalgoers were entertained by various musical acts that included Sam Ludidi and local DJ duo, C’jo-&-Cider.

The crowd rushed to the main arena as Jack Parow prepared to kick off with his piece, which undoubtedly revved them up. Shekhinah, of course, followed through with a thrilling performance that held fans at her mercy, with many shouting “Shekhinah!”, as she left the stage. 

Prince Kaybee’s electrifying set ended off the night on a high note. The audience wanted more but the celebrations for the evening had to come to an end. “The festival was too lit, and the artists brought the heat, exactly what I needed before classes start on Monday,” said #KovsieCyberSta and student Thuli Molebalwa.

Kovsie ACT music festival

News Archive

South Campus first in SA to introduce new online platform for educators
2016-05-25

Description: South Campus online platform for educators Tags: South Campus online platform for educators

Dr Whitty Green (DHET), Phillip Dikgomo (NDBE), Ernst Stals (Free State Department of Education), Isaac Mogotsi (Nothern Cape Department of Education), Tsatsi Montso (Free State Department of Education), Prof Daniella Coetzee (Principal: South Campus), Steven Bailey (Academic Partnerships), and Prof Judy Zimny (Academic Partnerships)
Photo: Eugene Seegers

The South Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) has become the first in South Africa to introduce a completely online platform for educators to obtain the Advanced Certificate in Teaching (ACT) in either Foundation, Intermediate, or Senior Phase.

Beginning with the first start date of 4 July 2016, this platform will be offered in nine or ten 8-week sessions. It will provide educators the opportunity to complete these certificates in 18-20 months compared to the 24 months usually required by part-time university students.  Academic and technological support will also be provided.

Unique platform

Prof Daniella Coetzee, Principal of South Campus, said that she is thrilled, “as this opportunity for educators to earn a qualification 100% online - is a first for both the UFS and South Africa.”  This opportunity represents tremendous strides in providing options for South African educators.

According to Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, human connectivity is a key component of education: “We should never reduce education to a stranger at a distance without any human interaction. That is also why the UFS has been consistent in promoting not only its Academic Project, but the Human Project as well.” He said that it would not be possible to extend second-chance opportunities to students without partnerships with government, non-profit organisations, local and international academic partners, and other external stakeholders.

Specific challenges addressed

In her presentation, Prof Judy Zimny, who is affiliated with Academic Partnerships (a company that has supported more than 40 universities in providing high-quality online programmes for educators) aligned a number of the challenges described by South African leaders in supporting educators with opportunities now available through online education as a result of recent strides in learning technologies.

Various members of the national education sector were also present at the workshop to give their input: Isaac Mogotsi (Northern Cape Department of Education), Phillip Dikgomo (National Department of Basic Education - NDBE), Dr Whitty Green (Department of Higher Education and Training - DHET), Tsatsi Montso (Free State Department of Education), and Ernst Stals (Free State Department of Education).

For educators interested in pursuing an Advanced Teaching Certificate (ACT), the website will soon be populated with all admission and enrolment information for programmes starting on 4 July 2016, 29 August 2016, and 24 October 2016.

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