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UFS rolls out second iteration of the Umoja Buddy Programme

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

Kovsies raise their voice against gender violence

2013-02-25

25 February 2013

On Wednesday 27 February 2013, Kovsie men and women will march to raise their voices against gender violence. They will be saying no to the scourge of violence and rape in the country. Showing solidarity with the late Anene Booysen and thousands other victims of gender violence, staff and students of the university will take part in the “Enough is Enough: Are you man Enough?” march.

An important feature of the march is that it will be men adding their voices to those of women supporting the call for action.

Dean of Student Affairs Rudi Buys, who will lead the march, says, “Protestors will use their bodies to say that they are against the continued and absolute annihilation of the dignity of the females in our country. It's a solidarity march with victims but also with perpetrators to show our shared complicities."

The university will kick-off of a month-long programme of in-depth conversations, not only creating awareness but also facilitating broader understanding of gender violence.

The march will start at 12:30 at the Main Gate of the Bloemfontein Campus and proceed to the Main Building. Those participating are encouraged to make posters or banners with supportive messages showing solidarity with the cause.

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