Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
02 March 2018 Photo Supplied
Student Wellness and Kovsie ACT provide food bank for students
The team from Student Wellness and Gift of the Givers

Student Wellness and Kovsie ACT, together with the Gift of the Givers Foundation, have joined forces in order to create a food bank for students who were previously disadvantaged. The food bank will consist of non-perishable food items up to the value of R400 per student. A formal assessment will be conducted by social worker Elizabeth Msadu, in order to ensure that students comply with the criteria identified by the Student Wellness Office, Kovsie ACT and the Gift of the Givers.
 
“Food insecurity in higher education institutions is a painful reality. We want to use the food bank as an instrument to assist students in their times of difficulty,” said Annelize Visagie from Student Wellness.

Gift of the Givers is the biggest disaster-response NGO in Africa. It is well known for providing lifesaving aid on the continent in the form of search and rescue teams, medical personnel, medical equipment, medical supplies, medicines, vaccines, high-energy and protein supplements, as well as food and water to millions of people in 43 countries, South Africa included.

Annelize explained that the university’s relationship with the Gift of the Givers was induced by Yolande Korke, author of the book, “558 Days”, who works with the UFS on an ad hoc basis. To find out more about the food-bank and other services provided by Student Wellness please contact Annelize on 051 401 3258 or visit the Health and Wellness Facebook page.

News Archive

Cultivating excellence and success through academics
2011-10-07

 

Unlocking potential. At the Golden Key South African Summit 2011 were, from the left: Dr Derek Swemmer, Registrar (UFS); Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic; Mr Ryk Neethling and Ms Charlene Gunter, Director: Golden Key International Honour Society, South Africa.
Photo: Phelekwa Mpono

More than 130 delegates are gathering for the Golden Key, South African Summit at the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS). Golden Key International Honour Society recognises academic excellence and uses knowledge to transform lives. It has 400 chapters in eight countries. Of South Africa’s 12 chapters, 11 were present at the summit.

Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Academic at the UFS, welcomed delegates from the respective chapters. She commended them for their perseverance and dedication to excel. “Your academic aspirations and commitment contribute to cultivating a culture of excellence. It will provide a better future for every South African citizen,” she said. Prof. Hay challenged delegates also to “act” by turning their knowledge into actions to advance not only themselves but also society. She also urged them to “discover” everything about themselves, their chosen disciplines, allies and oppositions. “Mostly, you must internalise the spirit of lifelong learning,” she said.

Mr Ryk Neethling, Olympic gold medallist and businessman, was the first keynote speaker. He took everyone through the steps that ultimately led to the moment of victory for him and his team. “We found a way to compete with heart and determination in the 2004 Olympic Games. We were prepared and we took everyone by surprise. “To achieve what one has set one’s mind to, we must dream big,” he said. “Play your part in the team and be confident. Remember that you are victors and not victims,” he urged. He further emphasised the importance of making one’s own luck and, most of all, never to give up.

Another speaker for the summit includes Ms Peggy-Sue Khumalo, former Miss South Africa. Dr Derek Swemmer, Registrar (UFS) will present a workshop on Strategic Action Planning.

This event is the first external lecture that is presented in the Metro’s found in the new Health Sciences Building on the Bloemfontein Campus of the UFS.
 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept