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29 May 2019 | Story Elize Davids
Prof Petersen at National Press Club
Prof Petersen with members of the Press Club’s National Executive. From the left are: Reynold Thakuli, SANPARKS; Willem van de Putte, Saturday Star; Ntando Makhubu, Pretoria News (Chairperson) Jos Charle, Pretoria News and Lisa Dewberry, Freelance Communications Specialist.
The South African National Press Club recently hosted the University of the Free State’s Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, at a gathering of national media representatives and communication specialists in Pretoria. Following a recent, widely publicised opinion article about the importance of the youth vote, Prof Petersen reflected on the period following the national elections of 8 May 2019, sharing his insights from a higher-education perspective.

“The role of the modern university has shifted”, said Prof Petersen, as he outlined five things the UFS was actively pursuing through its Strategic Plan and Integrated Transformation Plan.

New Knowledge

The UFS will develop a new knowledge (research) industry. For South Africa to yield economic growth, it must support the growth of small and medium enterprise. The institution has an active role to play in yielding this new knowledge as reflected in its recent launch of the Agribusiness Transformation Programme with Standard Bank; Applying our knowledge in the Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Business; we will equip and empower 25 black commercial farmers in addressing food insecurity.  The annual Thought-Leadership Series during the Vrystaat Arts Festival in July 2019 will also address economic growth, entrepreneurship, and employment.

Practical Application 

“Once we have trained people for the economy and have delivered research, we must ensure that our knowledge is appropriately disseminated technical academic papers need to be converted to something useful, appropriate, and practically applicable”, he said. 

Public Discourse 

Creating a platform to address controversial issues in our society is what defines the UFS as a thought leader.  As demonstrated by the recent Gangster State Book Discussion by author Pieter-Louis Myburgh hosted by the Business School, the institution continues to demonstrate its’ commitment to intellectually engage society through public discourse. 

Projects 

The institution actively pursues interesting projects that will shift the thinking of general society, government and industry. “These address our response to transformation, informs strategic planning, and shapes our values as we create a new university citizenship – a transformed society of inclusivity and belonging,” he said. 

News Archive

UFS offers bursaries for interpreters
2005-12-01

The Unit for Language Management (previously Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment) at the University of the Free State (UFS) is offering bursaries to persons who want to apply for the Post-graduate Diploma in Language Practice (interpreting) for 2006. 

The Unit was involved in the setting up of a comprehensive interpreting infrastructure at the Free State Legislature and provided the interpreting services for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for the latter’s full duration.

“The UFS supports a multilingual society.  Our language policy, which was approved by the Council in 2003, is a striking example.  This policy is in accordance with the national movement towards multilingualism and the recognition of language rights.  Through the training of interpreters the UFS is empowering others to exercise their language rights and to partake meaningfully in formal conversations,“ said Prof Theo du Plessis, head of the UFS Unit for Language Management (ULM). 

“The UFS has been using interpreter services at executive management meetings and other occasions such as meetings, seminars and conferences for several years.  The demand for these services has risen quite considerably.  We have found that the current three interpreters on the Main Campus will soon not be able to cope with this demand,” said Prof du Plessis.

According to Prof du Plessis institutions like the Mangaung Local Municipality and the Motheo District Municipality use the interpreter services of the ULM on a regular basis. 
“Because the demand for interpreter services is becoming so great, the demand for trained interpreters is also increasing.  This is why we are offering bursaries for persons who want to be trained as interpreters to register in 2006 for the Post-graduate Diploma in Language Practice (interpreting) as offered by the UFS Department of Afro-asiatic Studies and Language Practice and Sign Language,” said Prof du Plessis.

According to Prof du Plessis the UFS will be able to use these students on an ad-hoc basis to assist with interpreter services on the Main Campus or to deliver interpreter services to institutions outside the UFS. 

The bursaries will preferably be awarded to persons with English as mother tongue with an above average knowledge of Afrikaans or Sesotho.  The duration of the bursaries is one year and only tuition fees will be paid.  “To qualify for the bursaries, prospective students must have an undergraduate qualification,” said Prof du Plessis.

The closing date for applications is 25 January 2006.  For any enquiries, Mrs Susan Lombaard can be contacted at (051) 401-2405 or 072 605 4966 during office hours or at lombasc.hum@mail.uovs.ac.za.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:  (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
1 December 2005
 

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