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Visibility and impact the focus in 2020

11 February 2020 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Stephen Collett

UFS official opening — Kovsies is on track with the firm foundation laid in previous years. 2020 is a year where visibility and impact is the key theme.

WATCH: Official Opening 2020

Tackling 2020 with rigour and vigour is the top priority for the University of the Free State’s agenda and it’s all systems go after a year of building a solid foundation. Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, addressed staff in his official Opening speech at the Bloemfontein Campus on Friday 7 February 2020.

“The university is on track with what it set out to deliver in 2019” Prof Petersen shared the successes of 2019 with the audience and outlined his vision and plans for 2020 with visibility and impact as the key themes.

Prof Petersen urged staff to work hand-in-hand to ensure an outcome that generations will inherit with pride. “We have our eyes firmly set on the far horizon, to ensure that we bestow an institution on the next generation that is different from the past, a place where every essence is in perpetual renewal. That means every one of us is smaller than the institution, and every one of us needs to lay a brick that builds a university that is different from the past, more impressive than the past, an institution that will grow constantly.”

Setting the pace

As a frame of reference, Prof Petersen pointed to engagement, conversation, clear communication and decisive action to yield the type of environment in which we all want to work and study. “I can assure you that we will continue with that engagement, in a sphere of respect, tolerance for different views by always focusing on what the Integrated Transformation Plan (ITP) stands for – which is fairness and social justice.”

Reflecting on the year that was.

Prof Petersen reflected on 2019 as a year which focused on a return on investment delivery as it relates to the Strategic Plan, ITP, seven Vice-Chancellor’s projects, institutional and multi-stakeholder group and institutional Risk Register. These guiding documents laid a firm foundation for implementation processes to take place this year.

Leading the way

The Rector related some success stories which include the increased number of NRF-rated researchers. “In the area of student success, we are probably leading the country and our inputs are globally known.”

As a national leader on the infrastructural and student accommodation front, the Department of Higher Education, Science and Technology often consults the UFS for advice on how other institutions can adequately spend their infrastructure grants. Moving forward, the university also plans to partner more with national and international institutions of higher learning with the aim of strengthening research and innovation ties.

On inclusiveness and social cohesion

Pressing issues such as gender-based violence and xenophobia are constantly being tackled by the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice in collaboration with other academic and support services. These parties have conducted and developed critical conversations, position papers, and policies to guide the institution towards an inclusive and socially cohesive space which embraces the values of ubuntu and respect.

In closing, Prof Petersen reminded the university community of the crucial role each individual plays in building a bright future. “We must always remember that the UFS exists through its staff and students and should never let one of them feel neglected or unheard.”

Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor

News Archive

UFS hikers to Cape Town reflect on their journey

2014-05-26

For the four volunteers from the university who are currently on their way to the Cape on foot, every hour of every day is a victory.

It is three weeks since two employees from the University of the Free State (UFS), Adéle van Aswegen and Ntokozo Nkabinde, together with two other Bloemfontein residents, Nico Piedt and Ronel Warner, left Bloemfontein on fóót for the Cape, in order to highlight the problem of food insecurity among students.

On Sunday 18 May they crossed the halfway mark at Beaufort West and will conclude their journey on Tuesday 3 June in Cape Town.

This is what the hikers have to say after three weeks on the road:

Adéle van Aswegen
It isn’t only a physical journey, but rather an emotional journey you undertake. You learn what it means to be truly thankful for basic things like clothes, a place to sleep and food.

Nico Piedt
I know what it feels like to survive on only a glass of water in your stomach – a cup of weak tea if you’re lucky – for the whole day. If I can help (through the hike) to give someone a better chance in life, then it is worthwhile.

Ronel Warner
You think and grow simultaneously. As you plan every stride ahead of you, you also plan your life ahead.

Ntokozo Nkabinde
You don’t walk for yourself. You undertake this journey, maybe because you want to help someone, but this journey is actually in honour of something bigger and you just have to endure.”

These boots are made for walking ... to Cape Town (Article of 02 May 2014)
“Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?” Country folk worried about NSH hikers (15 May 2014)

Daily updates:
(You can also follow us on @UFSweb for daily tweets)

Day 33: 2 June 2014
13:40
20 km
Sunset Beach, Cape Town

Day 32: 1 June 2014
16:05
26 km
Mervyn and Sanet Wessels, Belville

Day 31: 31 May 2014
16:31
39.6 km
Rhonell and Gavin Julain, Paarl

Day 30: 30 May 2014
14:00
16 km
Monte Rosa, Rawsonville

Day 29: 29 May 2014
13:16
31 km
The Habit, Worcester

Day 28: 28 May 2014
11:00
22.4 km
Monte Roza, De doorns

Day 27: 27 May 2014
17:00
21.1 km
Karoo Hotel

Day 26: 26 May 2014
18:27
43.3 km
Tows river

Day 25: 25 May 2014
12:18
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein

Day 24: 24 May 2014
16:30
42 km
Laingsburg Country Lodge

Day 23: 23 May 2014
17:32
41.8 km
Vergenoeg

Day 22: 22 May 2014
16:42
43 km
Assendelft Lodge and Bush Camp, Prins Albert

Day 21: 21 May 2014
15:09
42 km
Leeu Gamka Hotel

Day 20: 20 May 2014
13:39
20 km
Alida, Springfontein

Day 19: 19 May 2014
12:31
27.6 km
Teri Moja Game Lodge

Day 18: 18 May 2014
First rest day
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 17: 17 May 2014
19:30
62.3 km
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 16: 16 May 2014
13:00
14 km
Taaibochfontein

Day 15: 15 May 2014
16:03
32 km
Travalia, Three Sisters

Day 14: 14 May 2014
18:33
43 km
Joalani Guest Farm

Day 13: 13 May 2014
17:30
33 km
Die Rondawels

Day 12: 12 May 2014
16:49
40 km
Aandrus B&B in Richmond

Day 11: 11 May 2014
39 km
Wortelfontein (Magdel and Christiaan)

Day 10: 10 May 2014
15:44
34 km
Hanover Lodge

Day 9: 09 May 2014
40.8 km
Camping between Colesberg and Hanover

Day 8: 08 May 2014
15:25
33.7 km
Colesberg, The Lighthouse Guesthouse

Day 7: 07 May 2014
15:08
23 km
Orange River Lodge

Day 6: 06 May 2014
15:57
51.06 km
Gariep Forever Resort

Day 5: 05 May 2014
12:18
28 km
Rondefontein

Day 4: 04 May 2014
15:27
35 km
Trompsburg: Fox Den

Day 3: 03 May 2014
17:30
46.74 km
Edenburg Country Lodge (Hotel)

Day 2: 02 May 2014
11:44 am
15.3 km
Tom's Place

Day 1: 01 May 2014
32 km
Leeuwberg

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