Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
29 January 2020 | Story Xolisa Mnukwa
Kovie Act
For more information on the 2020 Kovsie ACT programme and the upcoming events, visit the UFS Kovsie ACT website page, email: jool@ufs.ac.za or call: +27 51 401 2718 or visit Kovsie ACT on Facebook and Twitter.

The University of the Free State (UFS) is preparing for an exciting 2020 KovsieAct programme, with Amapiano superstar Kabza de Small, deep house music pioneers Black Motion, and musical sensations Spoegwolf and Early B poised to entertain students, staff, and the public at a Kovsie ACT music festival on 1 February 2020. 

Something new to the programme this year is the Kovsie ACT eco-vehicle parade through the streets of Bloemfontein. This parade replaced the old RAG float building and procession.

This is done with the intention to foster a close relationship with the broader Bloemfontein community. The parade on 1 February 2020 is also a celebration by first-year students of their entry into the UFS campus community.

The parade will be followed by an eco-vehicle race taking place on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus. Five teams will compete in categories including an Endurance race, Slalom course, Obstacle course, and Formula1-inspired race. Karen Scheepers, 
UFS Assistant Director for Student Life, says Kovsie ACT is a great opportunity for students to learn about sustainable environmental development through exciting community-building activities. “It’s an opportunity for them to learn new skills and build valuable relationships.”

“Skills developed through the programme include students learning to listen and communicate better; they also acquire time-management and relationship-building skills. Kovsie ACT also propels them to persevere and practise responsibility and pride in the activities they participate in throughout the programme, which sees them personify the term ‘only a Kovsie knows the feeling’,” Scheepers explained. 

Dr WP Wahl, Director: Student Life in the Department of Student Affairs, says the UFS has already initiated the next phase of the eco-vehicle project.  

“The Department of Student Affairs, in partnership with merSETA and the Department of Engineering Sciences (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences), is developing six skills programmes that will significantly enhance the developmental impact of this programme for participating students.  To this effect, a team of engineers and instructional designers are working with the UFS to ensure that the necessary competencies are embedded in these skills programmes, which will help graduates compete on a global scale.  Students will be able to apply to become part of this high-tech phase of the eco-vehicle project during April 2020.” 

Kovsie ACT programme

09:00 – Kovsie Act Parade departing from the UFS Furstenburg Gate. Short parade through Mangaung: Nelson Mandela Drive – Zastron Street – 2nd Avenue – Kellner Street and return via Nelson Mandela Drive to the UFS

11:00 - Parade arrives back at UFS Furstenburg Gate

11:30–14:00: Eco-vehicle race at Mokete Square (previously known as the Red Square) on the Bloemfontein Campus

 16:00–till late: Kovsie ACT Music Festival at Bloemfontein Campus Rag Farm 
For more information on the above-mentioned events, visit the UFS Kovsie ACT page, email: jool@ufs.ac.za or call: +27 51 401 2718 or visit Kovsie ACT on Facebook and Twitter.

News Archive

Strengthening ties with Belgium ally
2013-10-31

 

From the left are: Prof Dr Johan Meeusen signing the agreement with Prof Nicky Morgan, Vice-Rector: Operations.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
31 October 2013

The UFS signed a formal agreement with the University of Antwerp, strengthening the two institutions’ existing collaboration. Prof Dr Johan Meeusen, Vice-Rector and Professor of European Law and Private International Law at the University of Antwerp, visited the Bloemfontein Campus to sign the agreement. This arrangement will ensure that the two institutions work in close conjunction on research and additional projects.

Dineo Gaofhiwe-Ingram, Assistant Director: Internationalisation, says the new relationship between the two universities will have a strong research focus. "It’s evident and known that we want to become a research-intensive university.” She emphasises that the relationship with Antwerp as well as partnerships with a variety of other institutions are crucial. These will ensure that young emerging scholars, like those taking part in the Vice-Chancellor's Prestige Scholars Programme, are exposed internationally during their development. “We hope that some of the scholars in the new cohort of the PSP will be able to find scientists to host them at Antwerp," Gaofhiwe-Ingram adds.

In addition, she explains that this formal agreement will augment pre-existing collaborations with the Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment, as well as the Centre for Health Systems Research and Development. It will also open up cooperation between other faculties and disciplines. “Through Eurosa/Erasmus Mundus Project, which awards scholarships to South African students and staff to study in Europe, the 2014 project will now also award scholarships to European students and staff to come and study in South Africa,” Gaofhiwe-Ingram announced.

The University of Antwerp is one of the European associates that participates in the Leadership for Change Programme and hosted a group of first-year Kovsie students during 2011. In 2012, representatives from the University of Antwerp attended the Leadership Summit presented on the Bloemfontein Campus. Another group of first-year students from the UFS took part in this year’s programme.

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept