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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.” 

News Archive

Access to the Bloemfontein Campus
2015-04-02

Access Control Made Easy

The first phase of access control at the University of the Free State (UFS) was implemented in August 2014. The aim of this initiative is to tighten security measures on the Bloemfontein Campus.
 
Since November 2014, access control has been implemented at all five gates on the Bloemfontein Campus. These are:

  • The Main gate in Nelson Mandela Drive (Gate 1)
  • The gate in DF Malherbe Drive (Gate 5)
  • The gate in Wynand Mouton Drive (Gate 3) 
  • The gate in Furstenburg Street (Gate 4)
  • The gate in Badenhorst Street (Gate 2)

Here is some useful information about the access control system:

1. Remember your access card when you enter the campus

Dual-function cards (with distance reader compatibility) will make your movement through the gates more convenient. The university’s access system works automatically with remote or swipe action. Please make sure that you drive close to the reader or, better still, get the dual-frequency card to manage the distance between your vehicle and the remote card reader.

As of 23 March 2015, the extra security staff, who have been assisting at the gates since the implementation of access control on the Bloemfontein Campus, are no longer manning the card readers at the gates. Therefore, persons without cards will be able to enter the campus only at the one gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. They will be referred to the Visitors Centre, where a day visitor’s card will be issued to them. You will need to produce a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

Security will continue their normal duties at the guardhouses for the various gates on the campus.

2. Where do I get an access card?

You can apply at the university’s Visitors Centre front desk by producing your positive identification (ID book/passport/driver’s licence) and proof of payment for your access card.

You will then be directed to the Thakaneng Bridge where you will be able to collect your access card.

  • Go to the Cashier on the Thakaneng Bridge and pay your R65 for the dual-frequency card
  • Take your receipt, together with your existing card (if you have one), to the Card Division on the Thakaneng Bridge (next to Mellins Optometrists)
  • A new photo will be taken of you at the Card Office for your new card. Your new card will then be issued immediately.

Currently, there is a sufficient stock of the dual-frequency cards available at the Card Division on the Thakaneng Bridge.
 
Alternatively, you can apply online for your access card: http://apps.ufs.ac.za/cardapplication/application.aspx

Make sure you have the following documents ready to attach when completing the online form:

  • Copy of positive identification: ID/Driver's Licence/Passport
  • Signed declaration (http://supportservices.ufs.ac.za/dl/Userfiles/Documents/00007/4668_eng.pdf) by your service provider/employer (if you are a service provider) or a letter of confirmation from your spouse/partner/relative/coach/relevant UFS staff member or student in cases where you have to visit, pick-up or drop off your spouse/partner/relative frequently on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Cost: R65 for a long-term card and free of charge for short-term visits and conference delegates. Pay at the Cashier on the Thakaneng Bridge or at Absa Bank, Account Number: 1 570 8500 71, Ref: 1 413 07670 0198.

3. Cutoff Date: 7 April 2015

After 7 April 2015, no pedestrian or motorist will be able to enter the campus without a valid access card. Persons without access cards will have to enter the campus at the gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. You will then be referred to the Visitors Centre where you will have to apply for a day visitor’s card. It is important to note that no one will be able to enter the campus at the Visitors Centre without a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

4. Dual-frequency card simplifies access to the campus

It is important to have your card ready on entering the campus.

This card will simplify access to the campus considerably, as the card reader will read the card when it is held in a vertical position at the driver’s side window in the direction of the distance reader. Please do not place the card on the dashboard. There is an antenna wire in the card. If the card is placed on the dashboard, you are not exposing the card surface to the reader, and that might influence the antenna’s response to the reader.

Remember, the distance between the reader and the boom is only a few metres.  If you approach the reader at a ’high’ speed, you are not allowing the system to identify your card, match it to the entry in the database, check if you are ‘legal’, and then send a signal to open the boom. 

All five gates are equipped with distance readers. Within the next three weeks, two extra distance readers will also be installed at the Main Gate in Nelson Mandela Drive.
 
Please note that the dual-frequency card is needed only when you enter the campus with a vehicle and you want to activate the distance reader. All the older cards will continue to work at the tag readers. 

5. Use alternative gates

At times, some of the gates carry more traffic than others, especially with the peak morning and afternoon traffic. Gates with less traffic include:

  • The gate in Badenhorst Street
  • The gate in DF Malherbe Drive
  • The gate in Nelson Mandela Drive

You are welcome to make use of one of these alternative gates.

6. Pedestrians

No pedestrian will be able to enter the Bloemfontein Campus without a valid access card. If you have left your card at home or have lost it, you should enter the campus at the gate in DF Malherbe Drive where the Visitors Centre is situated. You will be referred to the Visitors Centre where you can apply for a day visitor’s card. You will still need to produce a formal identification document (e.g. ID book, driver's licence).

7. More information

Email: visitorscentre@ufs.ac.za
Visitors Centre front desk: Tel: +27 51 401 7766 (Mondays-Fridays 07:45-16:30)
Card Division: Tel: +27 51 401 2799 (Mondays-Fridays 07:45-16:30)
Protection Services duty room: +27 51 401 2634 (24 hours)

 

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