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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

Information day about crop production
2005-10-27

The Department of Soil, Crop en Climate Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) presented an information day about crop production at the Kenilworth experimental farm outside Bloemfontein. 

Various research projects that are currently conducted at the farm were introduced and explained to guests.  The day was attended by representatives from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Department of Agriculture, Omnia, Pannar, Senwes, Griekwaland Wes Koöp (GWK) and farmers from the commercial and developing agricultural sectors. 

The experimental farm is mainly used for the training of graduate and post graduate students and for contract research.  There are currently  2 Ph D's, 2 Master's studies and 1 research project for the Water Research Council (WRC) conducted at the farm. 

The facility is equipped with a centre pivot irrigation system, lysimeter complex for the insitu studying of plant-soil water relations and an automatic weather station.      

In his welcoming speech Prof Herman van Schalkwyk, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS said that in the past couple of years agricultural research in South Africa has deteriorated.   He said that the Faculty wants to commit itself to uplift and advance research by means of the experimental farm.  The Department of Soil, Crop en Climate Sciences aims to present regular sessions like this one at the experimental farm. 

 

Photo:  Stephen Collett

From left:
Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS), Ms Keletso Seetseng (Master's student in Agriculture at the UFS), Dr Ezekiel Moraka (Vice-Rector:  Student Affairs at the UFS) and Dr Leon van Rensburg (from the UFS Department of Soil, Crop en Climate Sciences).  Me Seetseng works on two Canola field experiments and manages 216 plots of these experiments.

 

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