Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Categories
UFS News Media Release Research
Years
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Months
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Previous Archive
28 June 2019 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa | Photo Charl Devenish
Dr Trevor Manuel and Prof Francis Petersen
Dr Trevor Manuel, guest speaker and Prof Francis Petersen.

Recording of Livestream


View photo gallery at the bottom of the page.

The University of the Free State (UFS) has awarded 474 South Campus Open Distance Learning certificates, 472 master’s, and 95 doctoral degrees to graduates in the Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences, Education, the Humanities, Law, Theology and Religion, Health, and Natural and Agricultural Sciences, during the 2019 June graduation ceremonies.

According to the former Minister of Finance, Chairperson of the Old Mutual Group Holdings, and guest speaker during the ceremonies, Dr Trevor Manuel, “South Africa is a young nation; we need to believe that the best years are ahead of us and let this kind of thinking inform the choices we make.”
The UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, enthused graduates with ideas to better prepare them for the world of work. One of these ideas was to manifest critical enquiry. “Search for more, search for the truth, challenge the norm and do not just accept everything,” said Prof Petersen.

Kovsies confer three honorary doctorates during June graduation ceremonies

Co-chair of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Working Group on Information and Communication Technologies and High-Performance Computing, member of the Advisory Committee of the Breakthrough Listen project, and the former director of the SKA, Dr Bernie Fanaroff, was also honoured with an honorary doctorate from the UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences during the June graduation ceremonies.

UFS Chancellor, Dr Khotso Mokhele, congratulated Fanaroff and commended him for his immeasurable contribution to the global scientific community.

Two other giants – one in the arts and another in law – were honoured at one of the morning graduation ceremonies during the University of the Free State Bloemfontein Campus June graduations. The internationally renowned, award-winning film and theatre artist, Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, received an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree during the ceremony. Sharing the stage with Makhetha was Madam Justice Mahube Molemela, who received an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree. Justice Molemela is the first female Judge President of the Free State division of the High Court.

One of the many highlights during the June graduation ceremonies was when eight researchers from the International Studies Group received their doctoral degrees (PhDs).

Dr Trevor Manuel further referred to the National Development Plan and the values enshrined in the South African Constitution, urging graduates to carry the country forward. “Each and every career is contributing to the transformation of society," he said.

Graduands told they are ‘persons of value’ in education sector

Former Free Stater and Chairperson of the GivenGain Foundation, Advocate Frans Stroebel, also addressed UFS graduates as an esteemed guest speaker for the various ceremonies.  Adv Stroebel explained to graduating teachers that they are ‘people of value’, and as such, give much more than what they take. He praised them, saying: “I thank you now, in advance, for the role that you are going to play in the lives of our children in the next ten years.”

He further spoke on the theme of ‘Choices’, highlighting the fact that each choice results in someone having to take responsibility for something.

For information about upcoming UFS graduation ceremonies, visit the UFS graduation ceremonies page.

Bloemfontein Campus:

WATCH: 27 June 2019 Ceremony(Afternoon Session)
South Campus
14:30: South Campus 
Advanced certificates and Professional diplomas 
Graduation Programme

“You have the responsibility of teaching a young generation that is waiting for your guidance and mentorship.” - Adv Frans Stroebel

WATCH: 28 June 2019(Morning Session)
June 28 morning session
8:30: Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences, Education, the Humanities, Law and Theology and Religion 
Master's and doctoral qualifications
Graduation Programme

WATCH: 28 June 2019 (Afternoon Session)
Faculties of Health and Natural and Agricultural Sciences
13:30: Faculties of Health Sciences and Natural and Agricultural Sciences 
Master's and doctoral qualifications
Graduation Programme

 


From left; Dr Jerry Mofokeng, Mr Jannie de Villiers, Dr Mahube Molemela, Ms Elzmarie Oosthuizen and Dr Bernard Fanaroff
From left; Dr Jerry Mofokeng, Mr Jannie de Villiers, Dr Mahube Molemela, Ms Elzmarie Oosthuizen and Dr Bernard Fanaroff
Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor
Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, Prof Francis Petersen and Prof Nico Luwes, Head of the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, Prof Francis Petersen and Prof Nico Luwes, Head of the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, Prof Francis Petersen, Dr Trevor Manuel, Mr Willem Louw and Dr Bernard Fanaroff
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, Prof Francis Petersen, Dr Trevor Manuel, Mr Willem Louw and Dr Bernard Fanaroff
Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor, Dr Trevor Manueal, Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor and Mr Willem Louw, Chairperson of the UFS Council
Dr Khotso Mokhele, UFS Chancellor, Dr Trevor Manueal, Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor and Mr Willem Louw, Chairperson of the UFS Council
Ms Elzmarie Oosthuizen, Recipient of the Council Medal
Ms Elzmarie Oosthuizen, Recipient of the Council Medal
Mr Jannie de Villiers, recipient of the Chancellor
Mr Jannie de Villiers, recipient of the Chancellor's Medal
Dr Trevor Manueal, former Minister of Finance and Chairman of Old Mutual Group Holdings, was the guest speaker on 28 June
Dr Trevor Manueal, former Minister of Finance and Chairman of Old Mutual Group Holdings, was the guest speaker on 28 June
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, recipient of a Doctor of Letters honorary degree.
Dr Jerry Mofokeng Wa Makhetha, recipient of a Doctor of Letters honorary degree.
Dr Bernard Fanaroff, recipient of a Doctor of Science honorary degree
Dr Bernard Fanaroff, recipient of a Doctor of Science honorary degree
Dr Mahube Molemela, recipient of a Doctor of Laws honorary degree
Dr Mahube Molemela, recipient of a Doctor of Laws honorary degree
Prof Hendri Kroukamp, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Hendri Kroukamp, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

News Archive

UFS increases admission requirements
2010-07-26

Admissions criteria for entry to undergraduate programmes at the University of the Free State (UFS) will be increased with immediate effect. This means that students who begin their undergraduate studies in 2011 will need to meet the new admissions criteria in order to register.

“Increasing admissions requirements is a critical component of our unwavering commitment to excellent academic standards and educational quality at the UFS,” said Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector: Teaching and Learning at the UFS.

“The challenge of student success at most South African universities is something that has attracted increasing attention over the past few years. We believe that it is our responsibility as an educational institution to admit students that we are confident are likely to be successful, and also to provide the very best quality of teaching and learning to ensure success.”

The university is also acutely aware that large numbers of young people in the country attend schools that are not adequately resourced to provide the quality of schooling needed for successful university study.

“We are thus committed to working with schools and with talented learners in order to address this challenge,” said Prof. Hay.

“The university currently has several initiatives in this regard. Further, our innovative and extremely successful University Preparation Programme (UPP) provides an opportunity for students with potential who do not meet the university entrance criteria to complete a bridging year that prepares them for the rigours of university.”

For students who begin their studies in 2011 the following changes will come into effect:

  • The minimum requirement for entry into undergraduate programmes will increase from 28 points to 30 points.
  • The minimum requirement for entry into extended programmes will increase from 23 points to 25 points.
  • The minimum requirement for entry into the University Preparation Programme will increase from 17 points to 20 points.
  • Subject-specific requirements specified by faculties will remain the same, except for Natural and Agricultural Sciences (contact the Faculty Manager at 051 401 3199).
  • All programmes that already require a minimum score of 30 points and above will not be changed.
  • The minimum entrance criteria for the B.Ed. Foundation Phase and B.Ed. Intermediate Phase will increase from 23 points to 25 points.
  • The minimum entrance criteria for B.Soc.Sc. Nursing will increase from 28 to 29 points.

Performance in the National Benchmark Tests will be used for placing students into academic support modules as needed.

These test results will not be used for admissions decisions in 2011, except for Faculties where it is used as part of their selection process.
Prospective students are encouraged to submit their applications for study in 2011 as soon as possible.
For telephone enquiries, please dial 051 401 3000.

 

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt@ufs.ac.za  
26 July 2010
 

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept