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25 February 2019 | Story Mamosa Makaya | Photo Charl Devenish
Principles Functions
From left: Mrs Zinette de Wet, Headmistress Eunice High School, Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, and Stefan van Schalkwyk from Eunice High School.

The relationship between the University of the Free State (UFS) and high schools in Bloemfontein and the region remains vital to the successful recruitment and enrolment of high-performing students at the university. 

The office of Student Recruitment Services hosted a breakfast on 20 February 2019 to honour school principals in Bloemfontein and surrounding towns for their continued support of UFS student recruitment programmes at their schools.

Principals, headmasters, teachers and chairpersons of school governing bodies, play an important role in advising and motivating learners to apply at institutions they regard as providers of quality tertiary education, and the UFS has been chosen, time and again, as the institution of choice. 

The UFS Student Recruitment Services office engages in recruitment drives using a three-tiered recruitment model throughout the academic year in the Free State and around the country, working closely with the leadership of high schools schools.

University and schools working together

In his welcoming remarks, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, said the relationship between local high schools and the university was vital in the process of developing the region. By producing high-performing students, schools and the university as partners, drive innovation, transformation and academic excellence. “In order to be innovative, we have to be forward looking, and want to work with you on that. I plan to engage with you one-on-one to strengthen our partnerships further,” Prof Petersen said.

Engaging the leaders

Each year, the university presents school principals with awards for their contribution to student recruitment and enrolment. This year, the platinum award, which is the top award for more than 50 enrolments at UFS, was presented to Brebner High School, C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje, Eunice High School, Grey College Secondary School, and Jim Fouché Hoërskool. Other award categories were; gold for 20-49 enrolments, silver for 10-19 enrolments, and diamond for one to nine enrolments, these were presented to 29 schools in Bloemfontein and Excelsior.

The Director: Student Recruitment Services, Nomonde Mbadi, said the value of the relationship with schools and principals was immeasurable, and would continue to be nurtured for years to come. The event is held annually at the UFS, and is a rich platform for renewed engagement into the future.


News Archive

Winter school for international visitors
2011-07-28

 

Here are, from the left, front: Vinita Verma (India), Gayatai Sharma (India), Ambar Istiyani (Indonesia); back: Frank Nieuwenhuizen (Netherland); Vicky Hölsgens (Netherland) and Dewi Cahya Ambarwati (Indonesia)
Photo: Hannes Pieterse

A group of activists, postgraduate students and staff from civil society organisations are currently visiting our Bloemfontein Campus to discuss issues of diversity and development. The group of 19 people from countries such as India, Indonesia, Uganda, the Netherlands and South Africa are part of the 2011 annual international winter school on Pluralism and Development, which is hosted by our International Institute for Studies in Race, Reconciliation and Social Justice. It is the first time that the winter school is held in South Africa since its launch in 2004.

The first class of the winter school started on 11 July 2011 and participants attend daily lectures where they engage in critical thinking about issues such as sustainable development, identity, reconciliation and pluralism. On Thursday 21 July 2011 our Vice-Chancellor and Rector, Prof Jonathan Jansen presented a lecture on reconciliation to participants where he spoke lengthily about South Africa’s traumatic past. Classes will come to an end on 5 August 2011.

During their stay at our university participants also visited Gauteng where they spent time at the Apartheid museum, Constitutional Hill and Freedom Park. Later this week they will visit our Qwaqwa Campus.

Indonesian participant, Ms. Dewi Cahya Ambarwati, said she is looking forward to the Qwaqwa visit, where she will show off her traditional dance. Ambarwati said during their visit to Freedom Park, she managed to trace back Indonesian ancestors in the museum’s slavery section. Another participant, Mr. Frank Nieuwenhuizen from the Netherlands, said the winter school is enriching because it makes you realise what it means to deal with differences.

The international Winter School on Pluralism and Development is an initiative of the Kosmopolis Institute of the University of Humanistic Studies, in cooperation with the Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries (Hivos).

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