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13 December 2019
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Story Valentino Ndaba
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Photo iStock
Safety comes first, fun festive second.
Safety never takes a holiday. The University of the Free State’s Department of Protection Services wishes the Kovsie community happy and safe holidays.
Heed these tips when travelling, away on holiday or in the street.
- Be aware of your surroundings and any suspicious-looking persons or behaviour (especially in queues);
- Report any suspicious behaviour or activity to the central security on-site or the South African Police Services;
- Be alert when leaving shopping centres. Should you suspect that you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station;
- Jamming devices are frequently used by criminals, so ensure that your vehicle is locked by physically checking it before leaving;
- All valuables must be safely stowed away in the boot or under the seats in order to avoid smash and grab incidents;
- Do not leave your handbags or valuables unattended while shopping; and
- Obey the rules of the road and carry your driver’s licence with you.Happy holidays! Enter 2020 safe and secure!
Happy holidays! Enter 2020 safe and secure!
UFS receives R10 million in student funding from Absa
2017-06-19
From the left: Asive Dlanjwa (UFS SRC) Prof Francis Petersen, Fikemini Dlamini,
Bertie Smith and Lesley Afrika (student beneficiary 2016-2017)
In support of building a more equitable and prosperous Africa, and in response to the plight of students who lack financial aid at universities across the country, Absa Bank handed over a cheque of R10 million to the University of the Free State (UFS) at a ceremony held on the Bloemfontein Campus on 13 June 2017 by the office of Institutional Advancement. The allocation of these funds will assist students who meet the bursary programme criteria (proven financial need, students who are from households with a combined income of less than R1 million per annum, with an academic average of 55% or higher).
Corporate and higher education collaborate
Speaking at the event, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS Prof Francis Petersen highlighted the important role corporates play in collaborating with educational institutions to help support future professionals who are the future builders of the economy and will later lead industry. “Absa and the UFS enjoy a good relationship and it is our hope that this bursary programme will grow from strength to strength,” he said.
In 2016 alone, Absa Bank disbursed R12 million towards settling outstanding fees for 439 students in four faculties of the UFS. In 2017 the funds will be allocated similarly to cover financial needs of qualifying students. Mr Bertie Smith, Absa Management Executive: Central Region said: “The university plays an important role in building future leaders and Absa’s strategy of shared growth supports the focus on education.”
Responding to a greater socioeconomic need
The event was attended by staff of the UFS and delegates from the Absa group, as well as students who were beneficiaries of the Absa Bursary Fund in 2016. Mr Fikemini Dlamini, Absa Head: Public Sector Business Banking, said the bursary programme was born out of the growing need to fund and develop the education of young people, and is a response to the outcry from students across the country in the “Fees Must Fall” movement. He said: “Educating one young person has a knock-on effect that has the potential to alleviate poverty in many families and communities around us.”