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26 January 2019
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Story Lacea Loader
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The executive management of the University of the Free State (UFS) has noted with concern the disconcerting effects of the current political and economic crisis and instability in Zimbabwe – specifically with regard to the effect it has on its students from Zimbabwe.
“As part of a coordinated support effort driven by the UFS Office for International Affairs we have invited Zimbabwean students to communicate their individual challenges regarding finance, travel, and special examinations to us.
We have received various reports about problems with delayed visas and have appealed to the Department of Home Affairs to consider concessions for our affected Zimbabwean students,” says Mr Cornelius Hagenmeier, Director of the university’s Office for International Affairs.
Arrangements are being made on a case-by-case basis for students who were unable to register before the closing date. Students who have reported travel challenges are also being contacted individually to consider possible support.
“As an institution committed to the furtherance of social justice – not only on our campuses, but also in the wider Southern African region – the UFS wants to encourage our affected students not to abandon their all-important education plans in the light of the turmoil and obstacles they are currently facing. As a university community, our heartfelt sympathy goes to our Zimbabwean students and their families during these trying times,” says Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor.
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Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Marketing)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393
Measures to ensure safer campuses are investigated
2010-04-16
The safety of students, lecturers and staff of the University of the Free State (UFS) is of the utmost importance for the management of this institution and deliberations are continuously taking place on what can be done to improve the levels of safety of the respective campuses in Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa.
A set of recommendations was recently tabled by our rectorate that make provision for various measures for safer campuses. According to Prof. Niel Viljoen, Vice-Rector: Operations at the UFS, attention will urgently be paid to the following recommendations:
- The instalment of alarm systems, linked to the central security control room, in all buildings on the respective campuses.
- The instalment of “panic systems” in strategic places in buildings.
- Where possible, better admission control to buildings, especially office blocks.
- Better management en integration of contracted-in security workers.
- Enhancement/upgrading and better monitoring of the security control room and sharpening of reaction times in cases of emergency.
- Repair and maintenance of the current border fencing.
- A survey was once again done of all the so-called “dark spots” on campus and the instalment more effective lighting are currently in progress.
- Safeguarding of footways and parking areas by means of cameras and panic systems that will be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Better and more visible patrolling of the pedestrian walkways and campuses.
Regular and structured feedback regarding the safety situation at all campuses shall also be done.
According to Prof. Viljoen the following recommendations shall also be investigated further:
- The feasibility of the “closing” of the campus, especially in terms of transport implications, costs and effectiveness.
- The possible closing of the small pedestrian gates in order to channel pedestrian traffic through the existing and manned gates.
- The feasibility of the compulsory wearing of ID cards by all personnel, students and temporary workers.