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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

Institute hosts National Action Plan Discussions
2013-03-12

 

Attending the discussions were from left: Prof Andre Keet, Ms Yasmin Sooka, Dr Willy Nel, Ms Gugu Ncongwana, Director: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ms Danaline Franzman, Chief Director: Social Justice and Participatory Democracy in the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and Andile Mngxitama, columnist and political commentator.
Photo: Sibusiso Tshabalala
12 March 2013

The Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice, together with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the Foundation for Human Rights, hosted a workshop-style discussion with university and community role players on the National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Racism, Xenophobia and related intolerances. As an obligation under the United Nations Declaration at the World Conference on Racism, Xenophobia and related intolerances held in Durban, 2001, the NAP was presented by Yasmin Sooka (Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights). Dr Willy Nel, from the Faculty of Education, was the respondent and Prof Andre Keet, Director of the Institute, facilitated the workshop.

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