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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

Unconditional accreditation for Architecture at the UFS
2008-08-20

The Department of Architecture at the University of the Free State (UFS) is so far the only department of its kind in the country to obtain unconditional accreditation from the South African Council for the Architecture Profession (SACAP) for all three its programmes.

“SACAP has already visited seven out of a possible ten institutions in the country who present Architecture. Of these, only the UFS’s Department of Architecture has so far received unconditional accreditation. This is indeed an achievement for us,” said Prof. Jan Smit, Head of the Department.

According to Prof. Smit, the SACAP’s evaluation of all institutions who offer Architecture takes place every four years. During the accreditation process in 2004, the department also received unconditional accreditation for the two programmes it presented at that stage, namely the B.A.S. degree and the B.Arch. degree. Since then, the B.Arch. degree has fallen away and the qualifications the department now offers are the B.A.S. degree, B.A.S. (Hons.) and the M.Arch.(Prof.).

“The unconditional accreditation serves as proof that the qualifications obtained by our students are of value and that it enjoys local and international recognition. It is also an indication that our students’ training is up to standard,” said Prof. Smit.

The criteria students are evaluated on includes the facilities, degrees and courses presented, the standard of exam papers and assignments of a subject, the style of management and staff compilation. The panel of judges comprise of among others a representative from the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA), who reports to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). “This is an indication of the high level on which the evaluation is being done,” said Prof. Smit.


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  
20 August 2008
 

 

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