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18 April 2019
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Story Ilze Bakkes
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Photo Charl Devenish
The University of the Free State invites all Grade 12 learners and their parents to the UFS Open Days. The Bloemfontein Campus open day will be on 11 May 2019.
BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS OPEN DAY – 11 MAY 2019
The programme for the Bloemfontein Open Day has been streamlined to allow for more time in the faculties in order to gather the necessary academic information. Therefore, there will not be a collective welcoming programme; however, the academic programme for the respective faculties can be visited DIRECTLY from 09:00. All exhibitions are open from 09:00 till 15:00.
1. Academic programme in the respective faculties: There will be two welcoming and information sessions by the Dean of each faculty.
a. Session 1: 09:00–10:00
b. Session 2: 11:00–12:00
c. The venue for each faculty is:
i. Economic and Management Sciences: EMS Auditorium
ii. Education: New Education Auditorium
iii. Health Sciences: Francois Retief Building
iv. Natural and Agricultural Sciences: Callie Human Centre
v. Law: Equitas Building
vi. The Humanities Odeion
vii. Theology and Religion: Theology Building, Room 21
2. Administrative services in the H van der Merwe Scholtz Hall: Bring your Grade 11 results and a copy of your ID should you wish to apply for 2020 undergraduate studies during the Open Day.
a. Online and hard-copy applications
b. Admissions
c. General Enquiries
d. UFS Student Recruitment Services
e. Centre for Teaching and Learning
f. Financial Aid
g. Tuition Fees
h. Housing and Residence Affairs
i. National Benchmark Tests
j. University Access Programmes
k. KovsieGear merchandise
l. Library and Information Services
3. Student Life programme in front of the Main Building
a. Career
b. Student Life Colleges and Residence Communities exhibitions
c. Arts and Culture
d. Center for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS)
e. Counselling and Development
f. Gender and Sexual Equity Office
g. Student Media
h. Student Wellness and Social Support
4. Residence Colleges: Visit the exhibitions of the on-campus residences on the lawn in front of the Main Building.
5. Student Associations exhibitions at the Thakaneng Bridge
a. Academic associations
b. Charity-based student associations
c. Cultural-based student associations
d. Political associations
e. Religious associations
6. Visit KovsieSport and the KovsieFit Gym at their offices in the basement of the Callie Human Centre.
GENERAL
Unfortunately, no food parcels will be provided to learners. Open Day programmes will be distributed at all entrances on both campuses.
If you require any further information about the Open Days, please contact +27 51 401 3384/9028.
2020 APPLICATIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES ARE NOW OPEN
Keep in mind that there is limited space in each programme and to avoid disappointment, your learners are advised to apply for 2020 undergraduate studies as soon as possible. Application to study at the University of the Free State is FREE. To apply now, click here.
Quadriplegic doctor obtains degree against all odds
2016-11-25

Dr Swartbooi faces each day with vigour and
resilience. Dr Swartbooi analyses images on
a screen in the Clinical Imaging Laboratory
at Universitas Academic Hospital.
Photo: Oteng Mpete
Life’s defining moments are when perseverance is rewarded. It is not easy to swim against the tide. However, for Dr Ambrotius Swartbooi from the University of the Free State’s Department of Clinical Imaging Sciences, it became his moment of glory. In 2006, Dr Swartbooi suffered a spinal injury from a near-fatal car accident which left him paralysed and a quadriplegic.
The strength to carry on
“You have one of two choices:
to lie down and give up,
or to pick yourself up”
—Dr Swartbooi
Dr Swartbooi spent close to six months, recovering from his injuries. “You have one of two choices: to lie down and give up or to pick yourself up,” said Dr Swartbooi. He would inspire other patients with similar injuries to reintegrate into society despite their new-found circumstances.
Fortunately, not all was doom and gloom; in 2007 Dr Swartbooi got married, and his wife has supported and inspired him to continue pursuing his dreams. Dr Swartbooi completed his undergraduate medical degree at the UFS, and in 2014 decided it was time to complete his studies and pursued an MMed specialising in Diagnostic Radiology.
To treat or not treat: that is the question
After all his trials and tribulations, Dr Swartbooi will be receiving his MMed Diagnostic Radiology degree at the UFS Summer Graduation ceremony in December 2016. His research focuses on intracranial aneurysm size interventions. He discovered that there were discrepancies between international standards for intervention and African standards for intervention.
The research inspects what should be treated and how it should be treated. He found there was a gap in African literature into the size of aneurysms.
Champion of survival: Where to from here?
“That’s a good question,” said Dr Swartbooi. “Slowly from here. I still need to work on getting my full accreditation from the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).” He plans to continue fuelling his passion for teaching. “There is no place better to teach than at an academic hospital.”
Dr Swartbooi commended the efforts of the Centre for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS), which assisted him in writing all his exams. “I want to be able to make a fulfilling and lasting impact on people but also to give the best medical service that I can,” concluded Dr Swartbooi.