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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

Vice-Chancellor hosts students in NSH Programme
2012-10-23

The No Student Hungry programme (NSH) at the university is growing meal by meal and students in the programme were treated at the home of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, and his wife, Grace.

The NSH provides food allowances for a daily balanced meal to needy students. More than 100 students are assisted in this way so that they are able to focus on their studies without worrying about were their next meal is to come from.

Prof. Jansen donated the proceeds of his book Knowledge in the Blood to establish the project. Grace and Dr Carin Buys, wife of Mr Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs, are the patrons of the project.

Students apply for the allowances and are selected on the basis of financial need, academic results, active participation in student life programmes and commitment to give something back to the community.

You too can contribute R10 at a time to the NSH programme.

You are investing in a student’s future and our country’s future.

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