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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

Schoolgirl builds giant Gingerbread house for Children’s Wing Project
2015-11-13


Professor André Venter, Head: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Morgan Pelser, and Tertia de Bruin, Project Coordinator: Children’s Wing: UFS Marketing.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs.

“You have to dream before your dreams can come true.” These words rang true for Morgan Pelser from Bloemfontein when she fulfilled her wish on Tuesday 3 November 2015 at the launch of her ‘big and real’ Gingerbread house.

 

Pelser, 13, said she had the idea of building the gingerbread house over six months ago and began working tirelessly, raising funds for the project. She intends to donate the money raised from this initiative to the Children’s Wing Project at Pelonomi and Universitas Hospitals. It was back in Grade 4 when she had the opportunity to tour through the ICU, neonatal and paediatric wards of the two hospitals, that she saw the need for better equipment and facilities. Pelser hopes to raise R200 000 through the initiative.

 

Professor André Venter, Head: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of the Free State, said he was greatly humbled by the perseverance and passion shown by Morgan in executing her dream. “I work with children, so I know how resilient they are, but seeing this is amazing. We tend to give up so easily,” he said. He went on to say that the money will be greatly appreciated, as it will be used to provide health-care facilities for children at both hospitals.

 

The launch of the gingerbread house was a huge success. The house is currently outside Coco C at the Loch Logan Waterfront. Members of the public are encouraged to see and taste the giant house, where they can leave a message on the inside of the house. A minimum fee of R20 is requested.

 

Professor André Venter, Head: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Morgan Pelser, and Tertia de Bruin, Project Coordinator: Children’s Wing: UFS-Marketing.

Photo: Leonie Bolleurs.

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