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26 February 2019 | Story Eugene Seegers | Photo Eugene Seegers
Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Daniella Coetzee, South Campus Principal, Tshegofatso Setilo, Director Access, Prof Prakash Naidoo, Vice-Rector Operations
Prof Francis Petersen, Prof Daniella Coetzee (Principal: South Campus), Tshegofatso Setilo (Head: Access Programmes), and Prof Prakash Naidoo (Vice-Rector: Operations) on the South Campus for the welcoming of first-years.


“Welcome to the South Campus of the University of the Free State!” Addressing a packed Madiba Arena, Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, said he was happy to see not only first-year students, but also parents and guardians, student leadership, and support staff from both the Bloemfontein and South Campuses.

 “I would like to congratulate each of our first-year students for making the decision to come to Kovsies to further your studies here. But I would also like to thank you for making this choice,” he continued.

Prof Petersen further emphasised that the students’ experience and success as individuals are important to the UFS as an institution; therefore, academic and support staff are on hand to guide them through their journey to becoming well-rounded individuals. “We will surely take care of you,” said Prof Petersen. He also reassured parents and guardians that their loved ones would be well looked after.

The Rector also focused attention on the role of student-leadership structures, such as the newly-formed Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) and South Campus SRC, members of which were present in the audience. He thanked them for playing a key role in the student constituency, highlighting their support and guidance to help first-years cultivate a sense of belonging at the UFS.

Turning back to first-year students, Prof Petersen stated that they have the unique opportunity to study on a campus specifically focused on developing their full potential, a campus where they can realise their dreams. “Your arrival on the campus marks a new chapter in your life. This chapter is slightly different, as you are the author thereof. The previous chapters in your life were largely written by others—your parents, guardians, families, teachers, and others. You will now be the main author in the next chapter of your unique story.”

“At Kovsies, we believe in developing students in their totality as human beings, not just the academic side. May your time with us equip you to make a success of your life after university!”

Prof Petersen’s Message to First-year Students
  1. Take responsibility for your academic programme.
    • Keep your focus. Study and study hard. You will reap the rewards and see the advantages of making success in your studies a top priority.
    • Make sure that you have enough time for your studies; balance your social life and your time set aside to study.
  2. Realise and remember that you are not alone.
    • If you find things difficult, seek help.
    • Our Department of Student Counselling and Development has trained staff and tailor-made programmes that can assist you.
    • Look after your mental health—and look after each other’s mental health.
  3. Make the most of your time at Kovsies.
    • Join one or more of the student organisations; why not try something new?
  4. Embrace difference and diversity.
    • Get to know students who are different from you.
    • You will lose valuable opportunities to grow if you only associate with your own all the time. It is important to get to know students who are different from you. It could be someone from a different part of the country, or from another country, a different ethnicity, a different religion, someone who has different views from yours, or who has different interests and perspectives.

News Archive

Degrees and diplomas are awarded
2009-09-01



The Spring Graduation Ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) took place in the Arena of the South Campus in Bloemfontein this week. Altogether 832 degrees and diplomas, 34 doctoral degrees, two honorary doctorates and a Councillor’s Medal were conferred.

 
 

All smiles. Three students who received the Advanced Diploma in Disaster Management at the spring graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State, are from the left: Oboneng Cynthia Tshitannye from Vryburg, Ramapulana Nkoana from Tzaneen and Sindisiwe Myide from Pietermaritzburg. The ceremony took place on the South Campus of the university.
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar
 
 

Diploma ontvang. Sowat duisend studente het in September op die Universiteit van die Vrystaat se lente-gradeplegtigheid grade of diplomas ontvang. Hier is Adri Lourens (links) van Medi-Clinic Bloemfontein wat die Gevorderde Universiteitsdiploma in Gemeenskapsverpleegkunde ontvang het, by haar ma, mev. Helen Lourens, ook van Bloemfontein.
Foto: Leatitia Pienaar
 

Thursday, 17 September 2009

Degrees in die Faculties of the Humanities, Health Sciences, Education, Law and Theology 
 

Three students obtained their PhD degrees in Higher Education Studies. They are, from the left: Dr Liezel Massyn, Dr Andile Dandala and Dr Mpho Moagi-Jama. Dr Massyn, Teaching and Learning Manager in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, completed her thesis titled “A framework for learning design in different modes of delivery in an adult learning programme”. Prof. Annette Wilkinson is her promoter and Dr Rika van Schoor is her co-promoter. Dr Dandala, Director: Quality Assurance at the Walter Sisulu University completed his thesis on “The challenges of designing a new programme and qualification (PQM) mix for a comprehensive university in South Africa”. His promoter is Prof. Johnny Hay and the co-promoter is Dr Louis van der Westuizen. Dr Moagi-Jama, a lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences completed her thesis on “Designing an academic support and development programme to combat attrition among non-traditional undergraduates”. Her promoter is Prof. Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela and the co-promoter is Dr Adri Beylefeld.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
 

UFS awards degrees in health sciences

This week the University of the Free State (UFS) held its spring graduation ceremony on the  South Campus in Bloemfontein. At this occasion George Visser received his M.Med. (Anes), Wilandi Jacobs received her M.Med. (Surgery) and Deon Menge received his M.Med. (Surgery) in the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
 

Megan Murphy (left) and Danielle Rose received their B.Soc.Sc. qualifications in the Faculty of the Humanities.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
 

Dumisane Nxumalo received his Master’s Degree in Labour Law in the Faculty of Law.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs
 

Former Kovsies see their daughter graduate
Mr Danie Botha and his wife Alta today attended their daughter, Marali’s graduation ceremony. Marali received her B.Ed. qualification in the Faculty of the Education at the University of the Free State (UFS). Mr and Mrs Botha are alumni of the university.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Spring graduation ceremony held at the UFS

At this year’s spring graduation ceremony of the University of the Free State (UFS) that was held on the South Campus, Cordelia de Waal received her B.Soc.Sc. Honours degree and Danie de Klerk received his B.A. degree in Language Studies and English. Both these qualifications are presented in the Faculty of the Humanities.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

 

Youngest Ph.D. in education awarded at the UFS

Dr Nalize Marais (second from the left), Senior Officer at the University of the Free State's (UFS) Centre for Higher Education Studies and Development (CHESD), today became the youngest student in the history of the university to receive a Ph.D. in education. Her she is with Dr John Bowes (left), Deputy Principal at Bedelia Primary in Welkom, Prof. Rita Niemann, Associate Professor in the Department of Comparative Education and Education Management and promoter of the three students, and Dr Ben Oosthuyse, teacher at Voortrekker High School in Bethlehem. Dr Marais submitted her thesis at the age of 27. All three students received a Ph.D. in Education Management.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Degrees in die Faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Economic and Management Sciences were awarded.
 
Two honorary doctorates and one Council Medal were awarded during the Chancellor’s Dinner. Prof. Johan Grobbelaar, Senior Professor in the Department Plant Sciences received the Councillor’s Medal for dedicated service to the UFS for more than 40 years, Judge Louis Harms received the degree Doctor Legum (Honoris Causa) and the degree Philosophiae Doctor (Honoris Causa) was conferred upon Mr Johan Loock. At the Chancellor’s Dinner were, from the left: Prof. Grobbelaar, Dr Franklin Sonn, Chancellor if the UFS, Judge Harms, Judge Faan Hancke, Chairperson of the UFS Council and Mr Loock.
Foto: Stephen Collett
 
The degree B.Com. Economics was awarded to Heinrich Brüssow, Springbok and Cheetah rugby player and former Shimla player. Here is Heinrich with Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor – one of his biggest supporters.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
Prof. Helena van Zyl, Director of the UFS School for Business (in the front in the red gown) together with the group of MBA students who graduated.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
Azar Debbo (right) received the degree B.Sc. Genetics. With him is his brother Alec, who received the degree B.A. in Drama and Theatre Arts from the UFS in 2007, and their father Al Debbo, comedian, actor and singer.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
From the left is: Matseliso Phafoli, who received an B.Com.Hons. in Economics, Kenekwe Moumo, who received the degree B.Com.Hons. in Financial Economics and Managerial Accounting, and Teboho Maichu, who also received a B.Com.Hons. degree in Financial Economics and Investment Management.
Photo: Lacea Loader
 
The degree B.Com.Hons. in Psychological Equivalence was awarded to Robynne Sudbury and Siyabonga Nyembe received received a B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry.
Photo: Lacea Loader

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