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27 November 2018 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Sonia Small
Prof Francis Petersen
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

On 24 October 2018, the Board of Universities South Africa (USAf) elected Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State (UFS), as Chairperson of its Finance and Investment Committee. As Chairperson of this committee, Prof Petersen will also serve as member of USAf’s Executive Committee and as ordinary member on the Audit and Risk Committee.

“On behalf of the UFS Council, I wish to congratulate Prof Petersen on his election as Chairperson. USAf plays an important role in higher education and I am confident that Prof Petersen’s contribution as Chairperson of the Finance and Investment Committee will be of great value to not only USAf, but to the sector in general,” said Mr Willem Louw, Chairperson of the UFS Council.

According to Prof Petersen, his election as Chairperson and his membership of the Executive Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee will enable him to gain further insight into matters of national interest relating to finance and investment and it will give him the opportunity to represent USAf in its deliberations with government on the broader issue of fees and other related matters. “I am honoured by the election and look forward to support USAf’s initiatives relating to the portfolio,” he said.

Prof Petersen’s appointment as Chairperson of the Finance and Investment Committee is for a three-year term of office.

News Archive

Medical practitioners join forces to help students studying medicine with loans
2010-02-24

Medical practitioners from the University of the Free State’s Faculty of Health Sciences have established a loan fund for enrolled students studying medicine to assist them with their studies. This loan fund has paid out a total amount of R329 106,00 over the past three years.

During 2002 the faculty’s School of Medicine identified a gap in the awarding of bursaries to enrolled students studying medicine at the UFS.

Many students who follow the course M.B.Ch.B struggle to obtain bursaries and are often forced to cease their studies due to a lack of funds.

A group of medical practitioners addressed this gap by providing funds in the form of voluntary out-of-pocket contributions towards a study loan fund to deserving students. This fund has received over R1million in contributions over the years.

Although the loans do not cover the full costs of a particular student, it brings the necessary financial relief and enables the student to focus on his/her studies and at least register. It also gives the student the time at the beginning of the year to attain more money to study.

The loan is repayable as soon as the student is employed. Repayment is calculated on the income of the individual and is administrated by an outside organisation at a minimal interest rate that only kicks in when the loan becomes repayable.

The School of Medicine encourages students who qualify for this loan to seek alternative funding. In this way, more students can be supported annually.

Currently an average of eight to twelve students per year are helped from this loan fund.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za  
24 February 2010

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