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01 October 2019
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Story Prof Francis Petersen
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Photo Pixabay
During October, the national focus is on mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month also coincides with a time when our students prepare for the end of the year exams, making it a particularly valuable time for us to think about how we can continuously assist them during their time at university. The value of peer support and genuine care can never be overstressed; that is why I want to encourage our students to reach out to their support networks such as our Department of Student Counselling and Development, as we move towards the end of the year.
Mental health is an equally important matter for our staff. During this month, I want to encourage our staff to also take cognisance of their own well-being. There is a lot of wisdom in the old adage: Healthy body, healthy mind. Many of the initiatives of our Division of Organisational Development and Employee Wellness are focused on the value of physical activity and the negative impact that inactivity can have on one’s productivity and mental health. They also present regular lunch-hour sessions for our staff, where experts share information and practical tips for mental wellness. I want to encourage our staff to attend these sessions and to make use of the services the university has to offer in this regard. It is important to note that suffering from mental and anxiety disorders is not weaknesses and it is not always indicative of a deeper psychological issue; it is an illness and hence can be treated.
On 20 September 2019, a 21-member team was sent off on their run of 1 075 km to Stellenbosch to raise awareness for mental health. The run was organised by the Division of Organisational Development and Employee Wellness and the Faculty of Health Sciences. The team ran in relay format throughout the night and handed the baton of hope to Stellenbosch University on 25 September 2019. I admire and thank them not only for their commitment and stamina, but also for addressing this crucial matter in the public domain and for raising awareness in the many towns and communities along the way.
This is an excerpt from a message by Prof Francis Petersen.
UFS to lead African agricultural education initiative
2008-06-17
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The Bill and Melinda Gates- and W.K. Kellogg Foundations have agreed to partner in support of a 10-year research and development programme. This programme will revise agricultural education curricula in Africa to become more responsive to the needs of smallholder African family farms. The goal of the initiative is the emergence of an agricultural human resource and knowledge system that drives smallholder farmer-led development and innovation to achieve improved productivity, food security and economic development in Africa.
The University of the Free State (UFS) and the Academy for Educational Development (AED), a USA-based non-governmental organisation, have been appointed as the two lead grantees to spearhead this initiative. Prof. Frans Swanepoel (right), Director: Research Development at the UFS has been appointed as the part-time Initiative Director, with Dr Aldo Stroebel, Head: Internationalisation at the UFS as the part-time Initiative Manager. They will partake in the conceptualisation and design of the strategy and structure for this continent-wide initiative. R8 million has been granted to the UFS to lead the initial 18-month exploratory phase. It is envisaged that the two foundations will invest in excess of R100 million (US$14 million) in the initiative.
Photo: Supplied
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