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15 June 2020 | Story Amanda Thongha

WATCH: Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, Prof Hendri Kroukamp, the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Susan Van Jaarveld, Senior Director at the Department of Human Sources, and Brandon Jacobs, Head of Retail and Business Banking at Standard Bank, Central Free State explain what the “I Am’ Wellness programme is about.

 

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance continues to be a juggling act for most, more so during this uncertain time dominated by COVID-19. To help individuals cope with life challenges, the University of the Free State (UFS) has launched a new short learning programme that addresses all aspects of well-being.

The ‘I Am’ Wellness short learning programme, open to UFS staff, private individuals, and businesses, kicks off on 19 June 2020. A number of prominent South Africans participating in the launch of the ‘I Am’ Wellness short learning programme are, among others, Kovsie alumna and former Miss World, Rolene Strauss; former Miss South Africa, Amy Kleinhans; and motivational speaker and author, Alison Botha. Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela rounds off the list of public figures who have also expressed interest in the programme.

Burneline Kaars, Head of Organisational Development and Employee Wellness at the UFS, says those interested in the programme can look forward to content focusing on different topics and themes related to wellness aspects. Participants will discover the fun of finding ways to improve their health and well-being through activities, games, quizzes, and many more.

“Upon completion of this programme, participants will be equipped to understand and improve their own personal and work-related well-being. They will be empowered to increase their own well-being and reach their optimal potential in both their personal and work life.”

The programme, a joint effort of the UFS Division of Organisational Development and Employee Wellness and the UFS Department of Industrial Psychology, can be completed online or as part of contact sessions, depending on the needs of the participants. Participants need to avail themselves four hours a week to successfully complete the programme. Those who master the two-month programme will also receive a certificate of completion from the UFS.

The programme is offered to UFS staff at no cost. External audiences will pay R9 500 per person to complete the programme. Groups of 10 and more will get a special discount when signing up.

Registration for the formal programme opens on Wednesday, 24 June 2020.

For more information, contact Burneline Kaars at KaarsB@ufs.ac.za.


Other programmes done by the UFS Organisational Development and Employee Wellness office:


First #MentalHealth awareness run to Stellenbosch to bring hope
Kovsies pedal smoothie bike for #MentalHealth

 

News Archive

Historic Global exchange summit for first-year students in 2012
2011-10-21

 
More than one hundred Kovsie first-year students travelled to universities in the USA and Europe in September 2011 to learn about issues such as diversity, leadership and citizenship. More students will travel to Asia in January 2012. Daniel King, Melissa Lucas, Jomari de Beer and Rito Madingana visited Ghent University in Belgium.
Photo: Anja Aucamp

Our University will present a global exchange partner summit next year with the 16 partner universities who took part in this year’s Leadership for Change Programme. This will be the first summit of its kind presented in South Africa bringing together first-year students from four continents and 17 countries. The summit will take place from 8 - 22 July 2012 on the Bloemfontein Campus.

The aim of the summit is for first-year students from all partner universities in the USA, Europe and Asia to visit our university and experience student life at a South African university. The students will be staying on campus and an intensive programme covering issues such as social justice, diversity, leadership and citizenship will be presented.

Mr Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs at our university, says the summit will serve as an opportunity to detail further partnership agreements with a number of universities such as Binghamton State University, amongst others.

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