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31 July 2018 Photo Leonie Bolleurs
Decor and building products showcased at BloemBuild Expo
Want to build your own home? On offer at this year’s BloemBuild Expo was something for everyone, from the prospective student who wants to study architecture, to property developers. Ilana Serfontein from Acorn Construction and Zack Wessels, one of the organisers of the event from the UFS Department of Architecture, contributed to the success of this annual event.
With the recent drought in many parts of South Africa, the theme for this year’s BloemBuild Expo was ‘How to survive the drought’, with much emphasis on energy-saving materials, grey-water systems and environmental-friendly products. Some presentations, supporting the theme, included talks on design for sustainability, nature-based solutions for drought conditions as well as the role of grey-water systems for food security.

The University of the Free State (UFS) was this year again the host of the Expo which provided a showcase for the latest décor trends and building products. The event that took place in the Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus was presented by the South African Institute of Architects Free State Region in conjunction with University Estates and the Department of Architecture.

Students from the Department of Architecture exhibited their models and took first place in the Corobrik tower building challenge. Also from the Department of Architecture was a lecture by Kobus du Preez on the ‘Architectural Highlights of Bloemfontein’. Jan Ras from the same department delivered a lecture: ‘To architect or not to architect – how to choose your architect’. 

Ras said the relationship between homeowner and architect stretched over several months: from the first meeting until the key is put in the front door. He said he believed professional architects were there to make dreams come true. 

Visitors could enjoy, view and take part in the Expo which offered something for everyone including academics, members of the community, the industry and professionals. 

This year’s event also saw a big colouring-in competition in which members of the public took part in

News Archive

UFS offers bursaries for interpreters
2005-12-01

The Unit for Language Management (previously Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment) at the University of the Free State (UFS) is offering bursaries to persons who want to apply for the Post-graduate Diploma in Language Practice (interpreting) for 2006. 

The Unit was involved in the setting up of a comprehensive interpreting infrastructure at the Free State Legislature and provided the interpreting services for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for the latter’s full duration.

“The UFS supports a multilingual society.  Our language policy, which was approved by the Council in 2003, is a striking example.  This policy is in accordance with the national movement towards multilingualism and the recognition of language rights.  Through the training of interpreters the UFS is empowering others to exercise their language rights and to partake meaningfully in formal conversations,“ said Prof Theo du Plessis, head of the UFS Unit for Language Management (ULM). 

“The UFS has been using interpreter services at executive management meetings and other occasions such as meetings, seminars and conferences for several years.  The demand for these services has risen quite considerably.  We have found that the current three interpreters on the Main Campus will soon not be able to cope with this demand,” said Prof du Plessis.

According to Prof du Plessis institutions like the Mangaung Local Municipality and the Motheo District Municipality use the interpreter services of the ULM on a regular basis. 
“Because the demand for interpreter services is becoming so great, the demand for trained interpreters is also increasing.  This is why we are offering bursaries for persons who want to be trained as interpreters to register in 2006 for the Post-graduate Diploma in Language Practice (interpreting) as offered by the UFS Department of Afro-asiatic Studies and Language Practice and Sign Language,” said Prof du Plessis.

According to Prof du Plessis the UFS will be able to use these students on an ad-hoc basis to assist with interpreter services on the Main Campus or to deliver interpreter services to institutions outside the UFS. 

The bursaries will preferably be awarded to persons with English as mother tongue with an above average knowledge of Afrikaans or Sesotho.  The duration of the bursaries is one year and only tuition fees will be paid.  “To qualify for the bursaries, prospective students must have an undergraduate qualification,” said Prof du Plessis.

The closing date for applications is 25 January 2006.  For any enquiries, Mrs Susan Lombaard can be contacted at (051) 401-2405 or 072 605 4966 during office hours or at lombasc.hum@mail.uovs.ac.za.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
1 December 2005
 

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