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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 presents course on academic support for grades 10 to 12 learners
2007-07-19
The Unit for Professional Training and Service in the Behavioural Sciences (UNIBS) at the University of the Free State (UFS) will be presenting an academic support course for seven weeks from 23 July-7 September 2007 for grades 10 to 12 learners. This course develops important thinking skills which enable learners to reach their academic potential. Thinking skills include reading and learning skills.
These skills are also referred to as study reading skills. Study reading skills are important if learners want to improve their academic performance and plan to study at higher education institutions later in their lives. The cost of the seven-week course is R 830.00. Academic performance opens up opportunities such as applying for selection courses as well as applying for bursaries at higher education institutions. For more information and reservations, please contact Ms Rika Oosthuizen at UNIBS, telephone number 051 4012775 during office hours. The course will be presented at UNIBS on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein.