Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
04 March 2019 | Story Valentino Ndaba
Next Chapter calls upon you to stay true to yourself by taking care of your mental well-being.

As the academic year kicks off, the University of the Free State gives a warm welcome to first-year and returning students. In the spirit of healthy new beginnings, Next Chapter has penned a letter to fellow students that speaks to mental health. Hear what they have to say:

Be loyal to your calling and the universe will locate you; once located, dominate! Fellow Kovsies, it is really happening. Not so long ago, this was just a dream – and somewhat far-fetched.

This is your moment; be at ease and feel at home, because you’re about to become a long-term tenant in a prestigious community of diversity, love, care, family, greatness, and prosperity. With that said, I welcome the class of 2019 to a community of brilliant minds. Bear in mind that all of us want to be part of such a community, but only a few get to make it – so, be very proud of yourselves.

Tap into endless possibilities

Now that you are here, know that everything is at your fingertips; you have the upper hand, and everything is now made possible. This is a moment for growth, to reinvent yourself, and expect the greatest confusion of your life as your mind and feelings will be tested and conflicted. Here is where you learn and unlearn certain things about your community and the world around you. So, please take this opportunity to explore, engage, participate, and where you can, mark your territory and dominate.

University can be tough as you face adversities and struggle to cope with juggling your grades and a social life. Find comfort in the knowledge that these are temporary circumstance you need to contend with. You are destined to emerge at the top.

Never succumb to the urge of givingup

There will be days when your subconscious fails you, there will be days when discontinuing your academics and heading back home is tempting. Do not to give in. Do not give up. You are here for a reason. Think about the twelve years of your life spent preparing for this moment. Some of you are going to struggle with academics, social life, finances, and conflicted minds which will hinder you in focusing on your academics. Seek help when you struggle.

Surround yourself with positive people who always bring out the best in you. There are avenues available to you, such as the psychologist sessions offered by Kovsie Health, and social workers who are there to help with various issues.

Support is at your disposal

Mentorship programmes such as Gateway are also at your disposal as a first-year student adjusting to a new environment. Student Life is always there for you in times of need. Next Chapter is a student organisation that advocates for mental health and can assist as well should you need support.

From us as Next Chapter to you as fellow students, we would like to officially welcome and encourage you to make the best of this experience. Be loyal to your calling, which has led you to the University of the Free State – and never forget that you matter. This is the beginning of something great and the continuing of your story.

News Archive

Financial planners graduate
2011-06-10

 
Adv. Wessel Oosthuizen, Director of the CFPL, and Gerhard Meyer, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa.
Photo: Stephen Collett

At this year’s graduation ceremony, the Centre for Financial Planning Law (CFPL) at our university awarded 377 diplomas (305 to students in the Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning, and 72 to students in the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning).

Three students in the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma passed the diploma with distinction. They are David Grant, Stephen Grizic and Yashika Rambujan. Ruan Schroder, Daniel Venter and Adri Viljoen passed the Postgraduate Diploma with distinction. Adri Viljoen is also the overall top student in the Postgraduate Diploma, while David Grant is the overall top student in the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma.
 
During another highlight at this event, Adv. Wessel Oosthuizen, Director of the UFS’s CFPL, was awarded the Chairman's Award for outstanding lifetime contribution to the Financial Planning Industry. This award is made by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa to a person who has made a significant and extraordinary contribution to the financial planning industry. As this is only the second year that the award is being made, it is an exceptional honour.
 
For five years, the UFS was the only institution to offer a full qualification in order to become a Certified Financial Planning Professional. The university is still the largest institution in this regard. The Centre for Financial Planning Law (CFPL) at the UFS is also the only institution in South Africa to offer the Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning Law, which is a purely specialisation diploma.
 
To date, the CFPL at our universityhas awarded 3 657 Postgraduate Diplomas and 659 Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning.

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