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UFS graduation ceremonies

04 June 2020 | Story Communication and Marketing

Due to the seriousness of the global COVID-19 outbreak, the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Francis Petersen, established a Coronavirus Task Team comprising representatives from various key function areas on the University of the Free State (UFS) campuses. This includes members of the executive management, virologists, infectious disease experts, and representatives of the academic and support-service functions. The team meets frequently to discuss the contingency and preparedness plans for the university’s three campuses.

In response to the current pandemic, the UFS has opted to postpone all graduation and related prize-giving ceremonies scheduled to take place from 20 to 24 April 2020 and 10 to 12 June 2020 on the Bloemfontein Campus, as well as those from 8 to 9 May 2020 on the Qwaqwa Campus. We know that this was the best decision to curb the spread of the disease as far as possible.

The university acknowledges the importance of graduation ceremonies and appreciates the diligence displayed by our students. We also recognise the virtual graduation ceremonies held by other institutions to confer and award qualifications. As such, a survey was issued to the April, May, and June 2020 graduates to determine their preference between virtual and traditional ceremonies.

We are grateful for the response to the survey, which indicated that the overwhelming majority of graduates prefer a traditional graduation ceremony. The university’s executive management subsequently resolved that a final decision regarding virtual or traditional ceremonies would be made towards the end of July or the beginning of August 2020. The university still hopes to host the graduation ceremonies on its campuses in 2020 so that we can celebrate this joyous occasion with our graduates and their families. We will continue to evaluate the decision in light of the developments related to COVID-19, as well as taking into account the national lockdown level at the time.

We will continue to support and assist students who require confirmation of their qualification and academic records for either employment or to further their studies. Please contact us at 051 401 9666 or studentadmin@ufs.ac.za for any enquiries about the graduation ceremonies.

News Archive

Degree in Forensic Science for 2014

2013-08-16

16 August 2013

A BSc degree in Forensic Science will be presented for the first time at the University of the Free State (UFS) from 2014. It is also the first degree of its kind to be presented in South Africa.

According to the Department of Genetics in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences the three-year degree is, among others, aimed at people working on crime scenes and on criminal cases in the SA Police Service and in forensic laboratories. At postgraduate level, students can specialise in a variety of forensic fields up to PhD.

A maximum of 80 students will be selected for admission to the course in 2014. Entrance requirements are an admission point of at least 34, as well as a combined minimum point of 17 for Mathematics, Life Sciences and Physical Science. Applications for 2014 close on 30 September 2013. About 700 to 800 new appointments were advertised in this field by the SAPS in the past two years.

The UFS has been offering an honours programme in Forensic Genetics since 2010.

The new course comes at a time when the Government is taking significant steps to eradicate crime in South Africa. At the first conference of the SA Police Service’s National Forensic Service in July 2013, it was reported that milliards of rand are spent to establish an integrated, modernised, well-manned and well-managed criminal justice system. New laboratories are already operational and more laboratories are planned, including one in each province.

The so-called DNA Bill is likely to be approved by Parliament before the end of 2013. Under this bill, all current schedule-1 criminals and suspected criminals will be obliged to provide DNA samples. This information will be stored in a DNA database.

According to the SAPS’ Serial Unit, approximately 1 300 serial killers are currently active in South Africa and the DNA database can be helpful to bring these and other criminals to book. About 80% of all crimes are committed by about 20% of the criminals.

More information on the Forensic Science degree can be found at forensics@ufs.ac.za or +27(0)51 401 9680 or +27(0)51 401 2776.

Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication

Telephone: +27 (0) 51 401 2584
Cellphone: +27 (0) 83 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za

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