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29 January 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Anja Aucamp
Prof Francis Petersen speech
“We can create an institution that operates and lives in the times of embracing and celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and academic excellence by ensuring that students own their time at university,” said Prof Francis Petersen.

25 January 2019 marked the official welcoming of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) first-year students, as they moved into their respective residences and were warmly welcomed on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. This day also marked the start of the registration process for first-year students.

According to first-year Psychology student Keisha Claasen, who moved into her residence earlier on 25 January, her first experience of the UFS was daunting but exciting, as she had never been in a similar environment. According to Given Gwerera, who dropped his son off at the Karee residence earlier the day, “the UFS is an institution with great culture and an overall good academic record.” He further explained that he trusts his son to make full use of the opportunities presented to him, as he has a cool head on his shoulders.

On the evening of 25 January, an eager group of millennials, joined by their parents, took the first sip from their cup of varsity life as they assembled on the Red Square of the Bloemfontein Campus to meet the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, members of Rectorate, the deans of all faculties, and the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the UFS.

“2019 will be a year of continued change; the UFS is thrilled about the prospect of bringing about opportunities for adaptation and realignment to the future,” said Prof Francis Petersen.

He further explained that the university prides itself in moulding its students into well-rounded individuals who will develop into globally competitive graduates as required in a diversity of landscapes. Prof Petersen urged first-years to remain open to the technological developments that go with globalisation, because of its permanent effects on society today.

First-years were further advised to take advantage of the rich pool of academic research and knowledge that is characteristic of the university and is piloted by UFS scholars, by engaging with and learning from them.

The inspiring night concluded on a colourful note, as the audience enjoyed an artistic laser show in front of the Main Building. Caption:

“UFS academics conduct research that forces the world to take note,” said Prof Francis Petersen at the official first-year welcoming ceremony on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

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SRC members attended the First Year welcoming ceremony
SRC members attended the First Year welcoming ceremony
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Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor adress the crowd.
Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor adress the crowd.
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News Archive

UFS community makes difference through Big Give Project
2016-06-10



Food for the needy. From left is Annelize Visagie, Health and Wellness;
Vicky Simpson, No Student Hungry Food Bursary Programme;
Elizabeth Msadu, Health and Wellness; and Lorinda Slippers, Student
Representative Council Rag Community Service, at the handover of
the food and cash collected by the RAG Big Give Project.
Photo: Jóhann Thormählen

Thanks to the caring community of the University of the Free State (UFS), students in need were provided for during exams, and will receive more food in the cold winter months.

Once again, staff and students made valuable contributions at the successful RAG Big Give Project, where food contributions of R 38 176.20 and cash donations of R25 000 were received. Staff, residences, and the RAG Committee made these donations as part of the project on 5 May 2016, when contributions were made at the Bloemfontein Campus gates of the UFS. An extra donation by Imperium, a residence on the Bloemfontein Campus, of R20 000 for FutureLife helped to achieve the grand total of food contributions.

According to Vicky Simpson, Assistant Officer at the No Student Hungry Food Bursary Programme (NSH), the food donation is for a designated group of students who have already been identified as food insecure by the social work office. “It will be distributed to them on a monthly basis,” she said.

The handover of food collected was done on 25 May 2016 at the RAG Food store by the RAG Office to Health and Wellness and the NSH. The RAG Office thanked the UFS community for its contributions to the project. Parexel, who made cash and food donations, received special mention. Simpson said “the food will make a huge difference in the lives of students who do not know where their next meal will come from”.

According to Jaco Faul, Senior Assistant Officer Rag CS, his office is already looking forward to the next instalment of the Big Give Project. “We challenge faculties and staff members for the forthcoming Rag Big Give project in October to see if we can beat the amount collected this time.”

 

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