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01 June 2018 Photo Ian van Straaten
Future Kovsies love Qwaqwa Campus
Excited learners getting a quick lesson from Keafon Jumbam from the Department of Zoology and Entomology.

Hundreds of Grade 11 and 12 learners from all corners of the Eastern Free State and far afield converged on the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) for the annual Open Day.

This was not just about getting information pertaining to academics, but it was also about getting the feel of campus life.

“Prospective students got the chance to explore our campus, interact with lecturers, and learn about the university’s qualification offerings. Drone flights and face painting added to the entertainment; there was also an opportunity to dress up for photos with staff from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, while the Faculty of Education had a DJ belting out catchy tunes. We look forward to welcoming the class of 2019,” said Acting Vice-Principal: Academic and Research, Dr Jared McDonald.

Motivation and hard work

Karabo Mokoena and Sentebale Matsaba from Retief High School in Kestell expressed their excitement. “I want to study Political Science so that I can become a political adviser,” said Karabo. Sentebale added that the day was an ‘adventure’, as she wanted to get more information. “The event has motivated me to work even harder,” said an aspiring medical doctor.

From the teachers’ side, the event also served as a motivation for their learners.

“Our learners did not only find the day to be very fruitful in terms of information received. They also found it motivational as they were exposed to the look and feel of university life. It was indeed eye-opening and fascinating for them. Many said that they are now motivated to work even harder,” said Dikeledi Mabine, Life Orientation and English teacher at Ntsu Secondary School in Bethlehem.

The Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, also shared his hopes and aspirations for the campus and the UFS in general with teachers, while learners and future Kovsies were also given the chance to apply online.

News Archive

UFS mourns the death of a former Rector
2008-06-23



Photo: Prof. Wynand Mouton, last year during the launch of the UFS's Centenary Book.
 

It is with great sadness that the management of the University of the Free State (UFS) heard of the death of Prof. Wynand Mouton (79), former Rector of the UFS.

Prof. Mouton passed away this weekend in the Ferncrest Hospital in Rustenburg as a result of a cardiac arrest. He was visiting his son, Dr Wynand Mouton in Rustenburg when he fell ill three weeks ago and was admitted to hospital. Prof. Mouton’s wife, Daleen, passed away in April this year.

Prof. Mouton was Rector of the UFS from 1976-1988. His ties with the UFS stretch over 60 years. He studied for the B.Sc. degree at the UFS in 1948 and obtained doctorates in Physics and Nuclear Physics in 1960 and 1962, respectively, at the University of Utrecht.

Before his appointment as Rector of the UFS, Prof. Mouton was the first Vice-Rector of the University of Stellenbosch. He was jointly responsible for the establishment of the UFS Sasol Library and helped to stabilise the Development Trust Fund.

“Prof. Mouton left deep footprints at the UFS. He led the UFS to become a foremost research university in the country. Under his leadership, extensive sports fields were also developed on the west campus, including Shimla Park. He enlarged the university’s art collection and saw to it that student productions were staged in a modern, well-equipped theatre (later named after him),” says Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Acting Rector of the UFS.

“I am glad that we could honour him for this and other valuable contributions in 2004 with a Centenary Medal before he passed away,” says Prof. Verschoor.

Prof. Mouton was Chairman of the UFS Council from 1991-1996 and Chancellor of the UFS from 1996-1999. In 1995 he received an honorary doctorate from the UFS.

“Our sympathies go to Prof. Mouton’s children, Wynand, Hendrik and Ms Saretha Curry, as well as his three grandchildren,” says Prof. Verschoor.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
23 June 2008

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