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13 May 2019 | Story Selloane Mile | Photo Tsepo Moeketsi
Qwaqwa Campus Open Day
Colourful learners from near and far descended on the Qwaqwa Campus for this year’s Open Day.

The 2019 University of the Free State Open Day on the Qwaqwa Campus was a colourful affair, attended by learners from high schools in and around Qwaqwa. Leaners were treated to information tables that saw a display of activities, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the campus, dubbed ‘the education hub in the mountains’. The first session began with an excited crowd of mainly Grade 12s receiving words of encouragement from the Campus Principal, Dr Martin Mandew, who extended a word of welcome and gratitude to the teachers for responding to their call. He also encouraged learners to apply as early as possible for the 2020 academic year, as space in tertiary institutions is limited.
 
“Your future is here; Qwaqwa Campus is the place to be,” he reassured the learners. He concluded by saying, “Ours is a smart campus, well-resourced with information and communication technology facilities, among many other features”. 

Learners explore campus

In the second session, learners explored the campus to learn more about what is being offered. They were met by warm and welcoming smiles from representatives of all the faculties and departments. Support services sharing information with potential students included Housing and Residence Affairs, the Student Representative Council (SRC), Student Life, and KovsieSport. Pretty Nzong, a learner from the Seotlong Agricultural and Hotel School, said she has learnt a lot, especially from the faculties, as she did not know what she wanted to study next year. “My highlight of the day was the inspiration I drew from the Assistant Deans and Campus Management in their academic regalia. I hope one day I will ascend that very stage as a graduate,” she said. Her friend, Lebohang Motsoeneng, said the experience gave her a sense of direction on the career path she wants to follow, and this experience re-ignited her spark to become a natural scientist.

Student Life

Although academy was the centre of attention on the day, learners also experienced ‘the feeling’ said to be only known by Kovsies, as they indulged in the essence of student life, including sports, student leadership, counselling services, and career guidance.
 
A sports fanatic, Moleleki Motaung from Mmathabo Secondary School, alluded to his experience as ‘exciting’. “I have been struggling to get exposure, and I believe this campus will afford me an opportunity to showcase my talent on the football field.”  Kamohelo Pholohang, also from Mmathabo Secondary, said the experience was enlightening, as it dealt with his indecisiveness on the course of study that he wants to pursue next year. Both learners emphasised that they are definitely coming to study here next year; both will be studying for a Bachelor of Education degree, with the former reiterating that he will also be the campus football star!

News Archive

New SANRAL Chair in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
2014-09-19

 

MEC: Butana Khomphela
Photo: Jerry Mokoroane

The University of the Free State (UFS) in partnership with the South African National Roads Agency launched the SANRAL Chair in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education on the Bloemfontein Campus on 11 September 2014. Prof Loyiso Jita has been appointed as the first SANRAL Chair. He is a professor in the School of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology at the UFS, where he shares his expertise in science teaching, which has been influenced by his broad and deep intellectual and experiential engagements both internationally and domestically.

Speaking at the event were Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS; Dr Choice Makhetha, Vice-Rector: External Relations; Prof Jita, the inaugural SANRAL Chair; the Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Mr Butana Komphela and Mr Nazir Alli, CEO of SANRAL.

At the event, Prof Jansen celebrated that “SANRAL has rewarded the faith in our children to do well in science and mathematics with this Chair.”

This SANRAL Chair in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education will help to improve the quality of teaching in these vital subjects at schools in the province. It complements the university’s School Partnership Project (SPP) – a flagship initiative launched by Prof Jansen.

The SANRAL endowment will enable the university to hone in on the ‘gateway subjects’ of mathematics and natural science. At school level, it will help to train teachers, support student-teacher interns, and incentivise education results so that participating schools become centres of excellence. At an academic level, the SANRAL Chair will supervise a cohort of doctoral and masters students, while also guiding research and publications in mathematics, science and technology education.

Through the endowment, SANRAL will assist the UFS in producing education leaders who can turn around maths and science education in disadvantaged schools throughout Southern Africa.

For the full text, read: New SANRAL Chair in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education

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