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17 June 2020
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Story Dr WP Wahl
The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) prioritises innovation to meet the challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition among students. To this end, several student volunteers and student governance structures are collaborating with the DSA on various initiatives.
During 2019, various conversations were held about the possibility of creating a health-promoting food environment at the UFS where students and staff are well informed and empowered to take appropriate action regarding their food and nutritional needs. These conversations resulted in an institutional strategy to address the food environment at the UFS. Student representatives serve on a technical committee that directs the implementation of this strategy. In this regard, several initiatives have already been launched.
Students from residences and other student communities have planted vegetable gardens on the Bloemfontein Campus with the assistance of KovsieACT and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Students and staff are already harvesting and distributing vegetables to needy students every week. Measurements were put in place to continue this during the COVID-19 period. The following vegetables were planted: spinach, cabbage, beetroot, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.
Food parcels, donated by Tiger Brands and Gift of the Givers, are continuously handed out by DSA staff and student volunteers. In this regard, 540 food parcels have already been handed out on the Bloemfontein Campus during the COVID-19 period alone. During the same time, 117 students received food parcels on the Qwaqwa Campus. The innovation of this food parcel project rests on the fact that business, NPOs, UFS students, and DSA staff are collaborating to address food insecurity and malnutrition.
More collaborative initiatives will be implemented over the next 12 months. The DSA staff and students are already working with the Department of Dietetics and Consumer Sciences to create information packages about the preparation of low-budget nutritious meals.
Related article:
Vegetable tunnels established to continue the fight against food insecurity
UFS supports its international students
2017-11-21
The executive management of the University of the Free State (UFS) is aware of the political situation in Zimbabwe and the ongoing developments that transpired since the past weekend.
“The current situation in Zimbabwe is impacting students from Zimbabwe within South Africa, on the African continent, and elsewhere in the world. It is understandable that students are experiencing uncertainty about their studies and their future; some may also experience challenges to return home after completion of their examinations and/or studies in South Africa,” says Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.
According to Prof Petersen, the university fully supports its Zimbabwean community during this time, and is continually monitoring the situation. “We have reached out to our Zimbabwean students on campus, and will assist where necessary,” says Prof Petersen.
Students and staff are welcome to contact the Office for International Affairs at 051 401 9058 or hagenmeiercca@ufs.ac.za.
There are 381 students from Zimbabwe studying at the UFS.
Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393