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06 July 2018 Photo Pixabay
Safety tips for the road ahead
Obey the rules of the road and be safe

The second semester has officially drawn to a close. Many people will be making their way to various destinations across the country. Arrive Alive has useful tips designed to ensure your safety on the road these holidays:

Keep these safety precautions in mind:

• Obey the rules of the road and carry your driver’s licence with you.

• Do not get stranded without fuel – Always plan ahead where you are going to re-fuel.

• Always ensure that a friend or family member who is not travelling with you, is aware of your planned route. 

• Take safety breaks every two hours or every 200 km.

• Do not drink and drive – if you intend to consume alcohol, make alternative arrangements so that you will not be behind the wheel.

• Remain alert at all times and avoid driver distractions such as cellular conversations, texting, etc.

• South African law requires that each passenger transported in a motor vehicle should make use of a seatbelt and strap themselves in.

• Stay within the speed limit at all times.

• Be especially alert when approaching traffic lights, intersections, and level crossings.


Stay safe on the roads and look forward to the beginning of the second semester on 23 July 2018.

News Archive

Funding of R8.7million for skills development in manufacturing and teacher training signed over to UFS
2017-06-19

Description: MerSETA funding Tags: MerSETA funding



The MerSETA (Skills and Training Authority for Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Industries) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the University of the Free State (UFS) for a grant of approximately R8.7million on 14 June 2017, which will be disbursed over a three-year period. 

UFS seeks to bridge the skills gap
As a response to the need for skills development in the manufacturing, engineering and related industries sector, and as an institution of higher learning optimally placed to serve the population of central South Africa, the UFS proposed a partnership with MerSETA to address challenges in the sector. The interventions that MerSETA will fund include training for 600 vocational teachers, research and development of a green building mechanical index, in-service training for 60 IT Teachers and microbotics classes for 100 students.

The CEO of MerSETA, and UFS alumnus Dr Raymond Patel, said the funding for rare skills such as in science and engineering are of great importance for the country. The ability to train teachers and to upskill them will yield great results for the economy as a whole. Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Francis Petersen said the UFS partnership with SETAs and with MerSETA in particular should be mutually beneficial, and went a long way in integrating first-generation university students to be better-prepared for university studies.

Collaboration and support key within university departments
The delegates visited the Departments of Education and Engineering Sciences on the Bloemfontein Campus, where they met project leaders Louis Lagrange from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Dr Nixon Teis, Faculty of Education, and Pat Lamusse, Institutional Advancement. Present at the signing ceremony were members of the Rectorate, the Acting Dean of the faculty of Education, Prof Loyiso Jita, and Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof Danie Vermeulen, as well as researchers who will be working on the green building mechanical use index and other MerSETA representatives.

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