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13 August 2019 | Story Lacea Loader | Photo Sonia Small
Student Success
The UFS is committed to student success through its own initiative.

In its endeavour to assist and support academically deserving students, taking into account the current economic climate in South Africa, the University of the Free State (UFS) has been able to maintain its approach to student success from its own initiative and in cooperation with external sources or partners. 
 
In addition, the university’s tuition fees remain on average 20% less than those of comparative universities.
 
“More than 70% of all registered undergraduate and postgraduate students at the UFS are receiving some kind of financial support – whether from the university or via external sources or partners, or from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). In fact, financial support to students is one of the main expenses of the university,” says Mr Chris Liebenberg, Senior Director: Finance at the UFS. 
 
According to Mr Liebenberg, undergraduate bursaries to the value of R63 million and postgraduate bursaries to the value of R77 million have been allocated for 2019. These bursaries are funded by the UFS, as well as by external sources or partners and are awarded on merit, which includes academic, sport, and cultural performance. It excludes bursaries that students receive from NSFAS. 
 
“The university is able to provide this support to deserving students due to its stringent application of financial governance and discipline and within a framework of financial sustainability. It is a principle that the university management strongly believes in and will continue to apply,” says Mr Liebenberg. 

News Archive

UFS obtains court interdict against protesting students - classes will resume on 22 October 2015
2015-10-21

A court interdict was successfully granted to the University of the Free State (UFS) this afternoon against conduct by anyone who intends to damage the property of the university or who interferes with the rights of others.  Any disruption that happens as from now, will be illegal and the UFS will have the right to call upon the South African Police Service (SAPS) to enforce the interdict.

“The interdict does not prevent students from exercising their right to protest or to use any form of demonstration that does not threaten people or property. In doing this, management believes that it is in keeping with its double responsibility of guaranteeing all students’ rights and safeguarding the university’s staff, academic activities and property,” says Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.

“The university management is still open to engage with students in discussing the implications of their demands for a zero percent fee increase,” says Prof Jansen.

All three campuses of the UFS will be open tomorrow (22 October 2015) and all academic programmes and support services will resume as normal. Order will be maintained on the campuses, using the powers of the interdict. No one will be allowed to enter or exit the campuses without a valid UFS staff or student card.



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