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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
Former Kovsie named best teacher in the Western Cape
2011-11-14
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Proud educators from left: Mrs Julia Ramabenyane, lecturer at the School of Social Sciences and Language Education; Prof. Dennis Francis; Roland Rudd; and Prof. Okkie Combrinck, Head of the School of Mathematics Natural Sciences and Technology Education.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
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Kovsie alumni are second to none. This was proven by Roland Rudd who was recently named Best Secondary School Educator in the Western Cape. Roland, a teacher at Wineberg Boys’ High School, completed his education studies at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 2005.
Visiting the university's Bloemfontein Campus last week Roland was full of praise about the education he received at Kovsies. “I have made it known that my success is through the input and solid grounding the UFS offered me. I feel really indebted to the Faculty of Education and the university. I believe that this is the best education faculty and university in South Africa.”
Roland, who teaches Engineering Graphics and Design to Grade 10 -12 learners, met with former Faculty of Education lecturers during his visit. They all remembered a bright student who won best student awards every year. In his final year Roland won the award for best student in practical teaching. Prof. Dennis Francis, Dean of the Faculty of Education, said he was pleased that one of his faculties’ graduates was doing so well.
Roland will compete in January 2012 in the national best school educator competition.