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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
Two new buildings for Health
2012-03-06
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The James Moroka building and the Muller Potgieter building of the Faculty of Health Sciences were officially taken into use in February this year. Present at the ceremony was from left Prof. Gert van Zyl, the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Mr Benjamin Moroka, son of Dr James Moroka, and Mrs Mari Potgieter, wife of Dr Muller Potgieter.
Photo: René-Jean van der Berg
06 March 2012
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The university of the Free State boasts two new modern buildings on the Bloemfontein Campus that were erected specially for the Faculty of Health Sciences.
The James Moroka building and the Muller Potgieter building were officially taken into use recently. Family members of Dr Moroka and Dr Potgieter were present and unveiled the cornerstone.
The Faculty of Health Sciences experienced a growing shortage of office space and lecture halls on campus. To address the situation, the grounds of the old vehicle pool were used to construct the buildings. Its prime location – opposite the faculty’s existing building – was a bonus.
The National Department of Higher Education and other interested parties worked together to construct the buildings in as short a time as possible. The buildings have been in use since the beginning of the year.