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27 July 2020 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Charl Devenish
Ronet Vrey.

She is affectionately called ‘Tannie Ronet’ by the dozens of students coming her way, and Faculty of Education librarian Ronet Vrey would not have it any other way. While Vrey loves to remain behind the scenes, her passion for students makes her a big hit with every student crossing her path at the University of the Free State Library and Information Services on the Bloemfontein Campus. 

Vrey has been a librarian for as long as she can remember; a path she says was inspired by her educator mother. But instead of standing in front of a class, she gets to invest in students' academic journeys by being a helping hand in times of need. She is a UFS alumna, having graduated in 1988 with a degree in Library and Information Sciences, specialising in Education, Library Services, and Technology. 

"I was interested in library information services because back then, we were exploring the use of computers and moving in the direction of technology. Little did we know about digitisation and curation that would follow."

In 2005, she started working as librarian for the Faculty of the Humanities, before working jointly for the Faculties of the Humanities and Education. Since 2011, she has focused solely on the Faculty of Education, serving as the link between the library and the faculty. "I am supposed to focus only on students from the first year to honours level, but because of the relationships built there, many students often choose to stay with me. When they come to me for help, I don't say no," she says.

Information literacy a lifelong skill

Vrey shares the love for her job with her fellow librarians from other faculties. In 2019, the group presented a paper on embedded librarianship at the International Conference on Information Literacy (ICIL). She said they are in the process of having their paper published. "We want to be embedded in faculties in order to make students at the UFS information literate. If we can teach students information literacy skills to help themselves, we will have lifelong learners who can develop all the time, and you would have established a community of lifelong learners," she said.

One student who has benefited from Vrey's dedication and passion for students, is Dr Norma Lehasa, who obtained her PhD in 2019 after a seven-year journey due to ill health.

Vrey known as beacon of hope

Lehasa met Vrey in 2016, and says she owes her success to the likes of Vrey. Lehasa said each year when students graduate, it is people like Vrey who are supporting them behind the scenes to reach their goals. 

"My wonderful librarian, Ronet, made me focus and never give up. She used to go the extra mile for me, even teaching me how to use the resources to search for literature myself. The outcome of me being a Doctor of Philosophy today is because of people like Ronet. People like her need to be recognised for the good work that they do," Lehasa said.
Lehasa's PhD topic was: An Adult Learning Perspective on Professional Development in the Human Resources Department of the Free State Premier.

News Archive

New head for Student Academic Services
2009-03-05

The University of the Free State (UFS) has appointed Mr Frank Madimetja Nkoana, pictured, as the new Director of Student Academic Services (SAS).

Mr Nkoana has a wealth of experience having worked for 24 years in the field of academic administration, 14 of which have been in leadership and senior management positions, at various institutions of higher learning.

In this post he will supervise applications, admissions, financial aid and registrations through to graduations.

The Director: Student Academic Services has a pivotal role to play in developing and supporting the University’s educational agenda.

“I consider my appointment to the Division as the correct one at the right time and a blessing to the UFS in view of my experience and training in the field of academic administration,” he said.

He believes it is only through effective and efficient academic support services that the institution can achieve excellence in its academic endeavour in tandem with its vision of being “an excellent, equitable and innovative University”.

“I must see to it that SAS, as both a sector and a process, is sufficiently and appropriately supported and maintained through an effective administrative structure that is manned by skilled and well-trained personnel, adding thereto continuous development and job enhancement – thus creating a conducive environment for efficiency and effective service delivery to students, staff and the wider community,” he said.

However, he is also mindful of the challenges facing him and the Division. He considers as his main challenge, among others, the creation of a Division that is functionally able and has as its goal the achievement and provision of effective academic administrative support to the core university business.

“Our operations should be in line with new developments in academic administrative systems to enable the UFS to achieve academic excellence and global competitiveness,” said Mr Nkoana.

“We must be able to establish and strengthen a high level of ethos of service delivery and develop good human relations between the staff and the students.”

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za  
05 March 2009
 

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