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03 March 2020

The Office for International Affairs (OIA) at the University of the Free State (UFS) implemented the second iteration of its Umoja Buddy Programme (UBP) in 2020. The UBP is a flagship internationalisation-at-home programme aimed at the smooth academic, social, and cultural integration of first-entering international students at the UFS by pairing them with senior UFS students. It offers local students an international experience on the home campus and develops their international and intercultural competence through direct interaction with international students. The UBP contributes to the achievement of the UFS vision, whereby every student will in future have an international experience during their studies at the UFS.


Internationalisation at home

On 13 February 2020, a welcome function themed Echoes of Sophiatown set the tone for this year’s edition. Chevon Slambee, Chief Officer in the OIA and UFS master’s student, welcomed the students and explained the theme of the day. She said that, “as students, we have a responsibility to be active citizens and contribute to change and social transformation”. Programme coordinator Bulelwa Moikwatlhai introduced the function and framework of the programme and highlighted the importance of internationalisation at home. Also in attendance was the Dean of Students, Pura Mgolombane, who encouraged students in his address to honour their heritage, “so that together, we can be able to appreciate one another”. He emphasised the importance of social justice for academic success. The SRC member for the International Student Council, Simba Matheba, expressed his support for the UBP. The UFS Arts, Culture, and Dialogue office provided entertainment at the event.

Umoja Buddy

International and local students mingling at the 2020 Umoja Buddy Programme Welcome Function.

News Archive

Science-for-the-Future host learners at Boyden Observatory
2017-06-15

Description: Science-for-the-Future  Tags: Science-for-the-Future

Prof Jan Smit from the North-West University captivated
the learners with his presentation.
Photo: Supplied

In order to advance innovative Mathematics and Science teaching and learning, Science-for-the-Future from the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Education hosted close to 100 Grade 10 Mathematics and Science achievers from 18 local secondary schools at the Boyden Observatory in Bloemfontein on 7 June 2017.

According to Dr Cobus van Breda, the Programme Director of Science-for-the-Future, the purpose of such events is also “to encourage learners to enter into science-related studies and careers, including the teaching profession, since we are in desperate need of good Maths and Science teachers in South Africa”.

The evening included contributions by two visiting National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) award-winning presenters.

Prof Peter Dunsby from the Cosmology and Gravity Centre at the University of Cape Town gave the audience much to think about with his presentation titled ‘From the Big Bang to the Big Rip. Should we be afraid of the Dark Side of the Universe?’

Prof Jan Smit from the North-West University, on the other hand, explained basic Physics concepts using mostly household items. Mariette Erwee and Prof Matie Hoffman from the UFS concluded the evening with stargazing through the telescopes, as well as an open-air session on constellations.

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