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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

Kovsie trailblazing track runner sets South African 200 m record

2015-07-16

Photo: IAAF

Wayde van Niekerk became the only South African, and the fourth athlete in the world, to clock sub-20-seconds in a 200 m race on Tuesday 14 July 2015. With this winning time, he became the fourth member of the prestigious quartet, consisting of Michael Johnson, LaShawn Merritt, Isaac Makwala and himself.

The Kovsie gold medallist’s ground-breaking performance saw him beat world-class 200 m specialist and last year's Diamond League race winner, Alonso Edward of Panama. Van Niekerk crossed the finish line half a metre ahead of Edward, who was followed by Fujmitsu Kenji of Japan in the third place.

Van Niekerk's 19.94-time at the Diamond League meeting in Lucerne (Switzerland) set a national record, and improved on his personal best. In 2010, he claimed the World Junior Championship title in Moncton, Canada, by covering 200 m in 21.02 seconds.

Recently, he made history by defeating the London 2012 Olympic Games champion, Kirani James, of Grenada in the Caribbean.

On 4 July 2015, he surged 0.79 seconds ahead of Kirani in his number five lane, becoming the first African to cover 400m in less than 44 seconds. The Kovsie student won the race at 43.96, occupying 10th place on the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Diamond League all-time list.

Kovsies were still celebrating the gold medalist’s South African record-setting time of 44.24 on 13 June 2015 when he dominated the Diamond League meeting. At the previous race in New York, Van Niekerk improved on his own national record of 44.38. With an impressive dash to the finish line at that particular event, he surpassed Christopher Brown’s 400 m record.

In addition to the country’s record, Van Niekerk made his name as one of the continent’s record-breakers. On 7 June 2015, he broke the 1986 African 300 m record. Van Niekerk replaced Ivorian Gabriel Tiacoh’s best time of 31.74 with a 31.63 championship win at the Birmingham Diamond League meeting. Simultaneously, he bettered Morné Nagel’s 2006 South African national record.

Following his outstanding performance, he was positioned in 10th place on the world list in the men’s 300 m.

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