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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

Former speaker of Parliament, Dr Frene Ginwala, delivered sixth Annual Charlotte Maxeke Memorial Lecture
2013-08-22

 

Dr Frene Ginwala, former speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, delivered the sixth Annual Charlotte Maxeke Memorial Lecture at the University of the Free State (UFS).

The Memorial Lecture is a joint venture between the Free State Provincial Government and the UFS and forms part of Women’s Month Celebrations. The lecture honours the life and legacy of Charlotte Maxeke and focuses on issues and challenges affecting women.

Dr Ginwala spoke on "Retracing the footsteps of the women of 1913: Lessons for young women's economic growth and development in bringing about positive change, living in extraordinary times." 

The first lecture was dedicated to Charlotte Maxeke’s life and times as well as the early years of the Bantu Women’s League, the forerunner of the ANC Women’s League.

Previous speakers included President Jacob Zuma, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize and Ms Baleka Mbete, National Chairperson of the ANC and former Speaker of the National Parliament.

Charlotte Maxeke was the first African women to graduate in South Africa and one of the first black South Africans to fight for freedom from exploitative social conditions for African women. 

 

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